Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Statistical And Machine Learning Approaches To Describe Factors Affecting Preweaning Mortality Of Piglets, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Tami M. Brown-Brandl, Gary A. Rohrer, Sudhendu R. Sharma, Vamsi Manthena, Yeyin Shi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

High preweaning mortality (PWM) rates for piglets are a significant concern for the worldwide pork industries, causing economic loss and well-being issues. This study focused on identifying the factors affecting PWM, overlays, and predicting PWM using historical production data with statistical and machine learning models. Data were collected from 1,982 litters from the United States Meat Animal Research Center, Nebraska, over the years 2016 to 2021. Sows were housed in a farrowing building with three rooms, each with 20 farrowing crates, and taken care of by well-trained animal caretakers. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the various sow, …

Augmenting External Surface Pressures’ Predictions On Isolated Low-Rise Buildings Using Cfd Simulations, Md Faiaz Khaled, Aly Mousaad Aly

Faculty Publications

The aim of this paper is to enhance the accuracy of predicting time-averaged external surface pressures on low-rise buildings by utilizing Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) simulations. To achieve this, benchmark studies of the Silsoe cube and the Texas Tech University (TTU) experimental building are employed for comparison with simulation results. The paper is structured into three main sections. In the initial part, an appropriate domain size is selected based on the precision of mean pressure coefficients on the windward face of the cube, utilizing Reynolds Averaged Navier-Stokes (RANS) turbulence models. Subsequently, recommendations regarding the optimal computational domain size for an …

Evaluation Of Equivalent Thermal Conductivity For Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Bentonite Through Experimental And Numerical Analysis, Yuan Feng, Jongwan Eun, Seunghee Kim, Yong-Rak Kim

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Bentonite is widely used as a water-proof material in engineering, and fibers are added to reduce the crack development of bentonite after drying. Carbon fiber can reinforce bentonite in heat-sensitive projects because of its high thermal conductivity and potential inhibition of bentonite cracking. Thus, it is important to determine the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced bentonite. This study evaluated the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced bentonite by analytical solution, experiment, and finite element method (FEM) simulation and discussed the effects of carbon fiber content, fiber length, fiber distribution, and the porosity of bentonite on the thermal conductivity of reinforced bentonite. …

Characterization Of Environmental Levels Of Pesticide Residues In Household Air And Dust Samples Near A Bioenergy Plant Using Treated Seed As Feedstock, Jabeen Taiba, Eleanor G. Rogan, Daniel D. Snow, Chandran Achutan, Muhammad Zahid

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

Exposure to neonicotinoid insecticides is associated with adverse human health outcomes. There is environmental contamination in Saunders County, Nebraska, due to the accumulation of fungicides and insecticides from a now-closed ethanol plant using seed corn as stock. A pilot study quantified environmental contamination in nearby houses from residual pesticides by measuring dust and air (indoor/outdoor) concentrations of neonicotinoids and fungicides at the study site (households within two miles of the plant) and control towns (20–30 miles away). Air (SASS^® 2300 Wetted-Wall Air Sampler) and surface dust (GHOST wipes with 4 × 4-inch template) samples were collected from eleven study …

An Autoencoder‑Based Snow Drought Index, Sinan Rasiya Koya, Kanak Kanti Kar, Shivendra Srivastava, Tsegaye Tadesse, Mark D. Svoboda, Tirthankar Roy

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

In several regions across the globe, snow has a significant impact on hydrology. The amounts of water that infiltrate the ground and flow as runoff are driven by the melting of snow. Therefore, it is crucial to study the magnitude and effect of snowmelt. Snow droughts, resulting from reduced snow storage, can drastically impact the water supplies in basins where snow predominates, such as in the western United States. Hence, it is important to detect the time and severity of snow droughts efficiently. We propose the Snow Drought Response Index or SnoDRI, a novel indicator that could be used to …

Effects Of Downdrag On Pile Performance, Ruthvik Pendyala

USF Tampa Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The behavior of piles under varying load conditions has sparked significant interest and research within the geotechnical engineering field. Specifically, in the context of MSE wall-type embankments, piles are installed before embankment construction commences. In these scenarios, soil settlement beneath the embankment initiates following pile installation, consequently generating downward lateral shear loads on the piles, known as downdrag.

Research pertaining to the downdrag phenomenon in cohesionless granular soils is limited. Hence, the primary focus of this study revolves around examining the impact of downdrag on pile performance in sandy soils using numerical modeling as the investigative approach. To accomplish this, …

Quantifying The Effect Of Covid-19 On Port Congestion, Corey R. Mayeux

LSU Master's Theses

The Covid-19 pandemic caused unprecedented disruptions in global supply chains and port operations, leading to congestion, delays, and container shortages. Governments implemented containment measures, affecting social behavior and economic activity. Ports faced significant challenges due to shifts in demand, labor shortages, and supply chain bottlenecks. E-commerce surge and other disruptions intensified pressures on ports. The pandemic's impact exacerbated challenges for ports and supply chains, and triggered inflationary pressures. This research aims to investigate the impact of Covid-19 on port congestion and the global supply chain at the Port of Long Beach, Port of New York and New Jersey, Port of …

Does Drought Stress Eliminate The Benefit Of Elevated Co2,/Sub> On Soybean Yield? Using An Improved Model To Link Crop And Soil Water Relations, Wenguang Sun, David Fleisher, Dennis Timlin, Chittaranjan Ray, Zhuangji Wang, Sahila Beegum, Vangimalla Reddy

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Crop simulation models are indispensable tools that facilitate studies to assess climate impacts and adaptation responses, but have not been adequately tested in terms of accurately predicting crop growth and water stress responses to high carbon dioxide concentrations [CO₂]. The soybean model, GLYCIM, previously modified with a coupled leaf-level gas exchange – energy balance model, was integrated with a two-dimensional convectivediffusive root growth module which linked soil and leaf water potentials with the regulation of stomatal conductance. We evaluated the accuracy of this modified GLYCIM using experimental data from a Free-Air CO₂ Enrichment (FACE) site, SoyFACE, and …

Effect Of Fire Flame On Some Mechanical Properties Of Self-Compacting Concrete, Haider Sadiq M. Ali, Nabeel A-M. Albayati, Basman R. Mohammed, Adil M. Jabbar

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

This paper presents an experimental investigation of the effect of fire flame on self-compacting concrete. The experimental program included casting cylinder and prism concrete specimens for compressive strength, modulus of elasticity, modulus of rupture, and concrete density tests. The specimens are exposed to fire flame at 800 ºC approximately for 2 hours or 6 hours. Then the specimens were cooled either in a fast or slow manner. Test results show that the compressive strength was reduced by about (54 - 61)% for fire exposure of 6 hours and by (27 - 37)% for 2 hours of exposure and cooled slowly …

Manual Preparation Of Eyeglasses Based On Corneal Topographical Images For Keratoconus Patients, Bassma Sabah Majeed, Faiz F. Mustafa, Nebras H. Ghaeb

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

keratoconus (KCN) is a non-inflammatory, progressive thinning process of the cornea. It is considered one of the advanced biomechanical changes on the corneal surface, and methods of treatment in late cases are special designed contact lenses or surgical intervention. The objective of this paper is to customize the standard eyeglass lens in a way so that it fits with the abnormal shape and changes of the surface of the cornea of a patient suffering from KCN disease.The proposed method here, based on manual scratching of the external surface of the standard eyeglass lens under supervising of an expert optometrist, where …

Age-Friendly Educational Buildings Primary Schools In Kerbala - A Case Study, Anwar Fadhil Hussein, Ibrahim Jawad Kadhim

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The concept of age-friendly societies has gained international attention among researchers, policy makers, and community organizations since the World Health Organization launched the Friendly Communities Project in 2006, to address challenges in some countries, as these challenges affect all aspects of society, and the educational environment represents an important joint of those joints, being the environment that is the most effective and influential in shaping human behavior. The age stage that is most affected and capable of learning and shaping behavior is of importance, which is the childhood stage. Therefore, the research focused on school buildings, as they represent an …

The Role Of Enhancing Interaction With The Natural Environment In Achieving Social Interaction For Children In Orphanage Institutions, Shamael M. W. Al Dabbagh, Zainab Khalid Rashad Al Khafaji

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The child deprived of family care is considered the child most in need of attention and care. When the orphan child enters a new environment for him, it is obvious that he feels alienated, isolated, and loses the sense of interaction and communication with society. The research sees the possibility of mitigating this feeling by enhancing interaction with the natural environment within the internal spaces of the orphanage building and at the neighborhood level. In order to solve the research problem, the research adopted a hypothesis stating that "interaction with the natural environment enhances the achievement of social interaction for …

The Role Of Academic Competitions In Promoting Architectural Education: Tamayouze Excellence Award In Iraqi Architectural Education - Case Study, Nairy Mugardich Krikor, Anwar Subhi Ramadan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The importance of architectural competitions has emerged in finding the best designs, upgrading and architectural advancement in both practice and thinking. Architectural competitions have become intellectual meetings that contribute to stimulating self-learning and encouraging creativity. They act as an educational tool that leads to competition, giving motivation to the development of skills and learning, in a way that enhances the integration between architectural theory and practical practice for both engineers and architecture students. The research was concerned with studying the effective role of academic competitions in architectural education as one of the ways to improve teaching and learning, and to …

Analysis And Mitigation Of Cyber-Attacks Targeting Infrastructures Operated By Iot Systems, Raja Salih Mohammed Hasan, Nadia Mahmood Ali, Ihsan Jabbar Hasan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Numerous countries have a high impact on providing the planet with critical infrastructures offering very important services employed in different fields such as water resources management, public services, power grids, telecoms, commercials, and transportation. The increasing solutions in IoT systems made it possible to exploit internet connection services for supporting the critical infrastructures. The latest are being targeted by various types of cyber-attacks due to the advancement in internet services. Therefore, improving the security systems and the ways to detect the threats is highly required. Meanwhile, protecting the critical infrastructures from hostile cyber-attacks is of high significance. This article examines …

Reliability Assessment Model Of Network Operating System Based On Convolution Neural Network, Jamal N. Hasoon, Sarah S. Qasim, Mohammed A. Alshomali, Jane J. Stephan

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The paper's subject is one of the points of fundamental significance in improving the development of complex computer systems is the effect of errors since their probability of occurrence in a widely distributed system is exceptionally high. Thus, the computer system must be dependable and provide comprehensive support for fault tolerance, fault detection, signal recovery mechanisms, failure prediction, etc. The goal is to develop a way to evaluate the reliability of the Red Hat Linux operating system utilizing data sets of system failures obtained from system injection with error reports using the Fault Injection Benchmarking and Reliability) FIBR( (for a …

Leaching Performance Of Nanotechnology-Induced High-Arsenic-Bearing Tooeleite-Like Mineral Nanowaste, Arindam Malakar, Sanjit Das, Samirul Islam, Rajneesh Singh, Sugata Ray

Nebraska Water Center: Faculty Publications

For arsenic decontamination from groundwater, arsenic crystallization is becoming adopted due to its sustainability and economic benefits. However, arsenic crystallization technology is a two-step process, which makes it complex and generates hazardous waste. Successful efforts toward making it a single-step process are presented here. The addition of nanorods and ball-milled zinc sulfide nanoparticles to arsenic-contaminated water result in highly monodispersed and higharsenic- containing mineralized nanowaste with a crystalline structure similar to the mineral Tooeleite ((Fe³⁺₆(As³⁺O₃)₄SO₄(OH)₄•4H₂O)). This study reports the results of a short-term stability test …

Investing Traditional Architecture That Fulfills The Supreme Human Needs With Its Spiritual Dimension In Reconstruction / The Architecture Of Old Mosul City, A Case Study, Sinan Mohammad Talee Al-Saffar, Anwar Subhi Ramdan Al - Qaraghuli

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Architecture has sought since time immemorial to meet multiple human needs, starting from the basic physiological needs for human survival, psychological needs (social and individual) to needs related to human progress, such as taking into account the aesthetic and spiritual aspects, which represent the highest levels of those needs, through a set of design aspects and characteristics. This research is based on the study of the spiritual dimension of higher human needs in general that architecture seeks to meet, by studying that in the architecture of traditional cities, in particular, to enhance architectural knowledge with regard to the importance of …

The Role Of Algorithms In Formulating The Architectural Formation, Ghada Ghalib Abdul Wahab, Younis Mahmood M. Salem

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Algorithms are mathematical processes that provide step-by-step instructions for solving a specific problem. They are commonly used in computer science and other technical fields to automate processes and solve complex problems. One great application of algorithms is the generation of shapes. Algorithms can be used to create complex shapes and patterns that are difficult or impossible to create manually. We will explore how algorithms can be used as a mechanism to generate shapes by adopting the Voronoi algorithm because it provides a wide environment for creativity through new intellectual processes that may not occur at all in the human mind …

The Detection Of Android Malwares Using The Features Selection Technique, Farah Rafid Salman, Amer Abdulmajeed Abdulrahman

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

The use of Android smartphones has been rising quickly as Internet-based services gain more popularity and develop. The Android operating system's enormous popularity has drawn malware attacks on these devices. It is difficult and ineffective to detect malware versions with features that modify their behavior in order to avoid detection by machine learning (ML) techniques. Effective feature selection plays a crucial role in detecting malware characteristics and reduces the dimensionality of a large dataset by removing unnecessary features that are not useful and keeping those relevant features that increase classification accuracy and detection rate. This helps to solve the problems …

A Review Of Polymer – Particles Composite Materials, Ismail Ibrahim Marhoon, Ayad Abbood Abdul Al-Hassan, Mohammed Ali Abdulrehman

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

In several engineering applications traditional materials are replacedby composite materials. Filled composite materials consist of the continuousmatrix and the filling particles. The primary purpose of introducing inorganicsolid particles into polymers is to essentially increase mechanical and physicalproperties. The wear properties of polymer composite can be changed to agreater degree by modifying the process of preparing the filled compositematerials. In the present review, a large-scale research has been conductedon the effect of wear on the composites of polymers. The effect of filler onthe polymer composites wear behavior has been thoroughly explained

Ability Of Replacing The Steel Strands By Cfrp In Pre-Stressed Concrete Girders: Art Review, Ahmed Salim Edan, Wael Shawky Abdulsahib

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

Fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are the modern,trustworthy alternatives to steel tendons and rebars. The bulk of currentresearch is devoted to establishing the feasibility of incorporating carbonfibre-reinforced polymer (CFRP) into reinforced concrete girders byevaluating the strength and reliability of CFRP and concrete components.In order to improve fatigue and corrosion resistance, CFRPs are crucial.Comparing reinforced prestressed concrete bridge girders strengthenedwith conventional steel reinforcement to those reinforced with CFRPs offersthe possibility of greatly increasing service life. Also widely researchedand used in bridge engineering as a corrosion-resistant substitute for steelreinforcement is CFRP composite material. The use of carbon fiber-reinforcedplastic (CFRP) reinforcement for prestressing concrete …

A Review Article On The Performance Based Seismic Design Of Structures, Reem Hatem Ahmed, Sahar Elaiwi, Shelan Hameed Ameen

Al-Esraa University College Journal for Engineering Sciences

For the most part, seismic design builds complex structural systems using the same small number of essential structural components as non-seismic design projects. Based on the building regulations, structures are frequently designed to "withstand" the largest earthquake with a given likelihood that is projected to happen at their location. This means that by avoiding structures from collapsing, the number of fatalities must be maintained to a minimal. Seismic design involves knowing the many failure modes regarding a structure and giving it the right stiffness, strength, ductility, and layout for ensuring that these modes do not take place. In this essay, …

Evaluation Of Equivalent Thermal Conductivity For Carbon Fiber-Reinforced Bentonite Through Experimental And Numerical Analysis, Yuan Feng, Jongwan Eun, Seunghee Kim, Yong-Rak Kim

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Bentonite is widely used as a water-proof material in engineering, and fibers are added to reduce the crack development of bentonite after drying. Carbon fiber can reinforce bentonite in heat-sensitive projects because of its high thermal conductivity and potential inhibition of bentonite cracking. Thus, it is important to determine the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced bentonite. This study evaluated the thermal conductivity of carbon fiber-reinforced bentonite by analytical solution, experiment, and finite element method (FEM) simulation and discussed the effects of carbon fiber content, fiber length, fiber distribution, and the porosity of bentonite on the thermal conductivity of reinforced bentonite. …

The Cr(Iii) Exchange Mechanism Of Macroporous Resins: The Effect Of Functionality And Chemical Matrix, And The Statistical Verification Of Ion Exchange Data, Khizar Hussain Shah, Noor S. Shah, Gul Afshan Khan, Sadaf Sarfraz, Jibran Iqbal, Aneeqa Batool, Ahmad Jwuiyad, Shabnam Shahida, Changseok Han, Monika Wawrzkiewicz

All Works

This study focuses on investigating and comparing the influence of the surface functional groups and chemical matrices of macroporous resin on the Cr(III) exchange mechanism. The results discussed herein indicate that sulfonic resin removed Cr(III) ions with faster kinetics than carboxylic resin. Equilibrium was established within 15 and 7 min for the carboxylic and sulfonic resins, respectively, with a 99.5% removal efficiency at 333 K. The Langmuir exchange capacity was observed to be higher for the sulfonic resin (1.5 mmol∙g−1) than the carboxylic resin (0.80 mmol∙g−1) at 333 K. The adsorption isotherms obtained for the carboxylic and sulfonic resins were …

A Fairness Assessment Of Mobility-Based Covid-19 Case Prediction Models, Abdolmajid Erfani, Vanessa Frias-Martinez

Michigan Tech Publications

In light of the outbreak of COVID-19, analyzing and measuring human mobility has become increasingly important. A wide range of studies have explored spatiotemporal trends over time, examined associations with other variables, evaluated non-pharmacologic interventions (NPIs), and predicted or simulated COVID-19 spread using mobility data. Despite the benefits of publicly available mobility data, a key question remains unanswered: are models using mobility data performing equitably across demographic groups? We hypothesize that bias in the mobility data used to train the predictive models might lead to unfairly less accurate predictions for certain demographic groups. To test our hypothesis, we applied two …

The Role Of Xanthan Gum In Predicting Durability Properties Of Self-Compacting Concrete (Scc) In Mix Designs, Alireza Masoumi, Reza Farokhzad, Seyed Hooman Ghasemi

Henry M. Rowan College of Engineering Departmental Research

This study comprehensively investigates the rheological properties of self-compacting concrete (SCC) and their impact on critical parameters, including the migration coefficient, penetration depth of chlorine ions, specific electrical resistance, and compressive strength. A total of 43 mix designs were meticulously examined to explore the relationships between these properties. Quantitative analysis employed a backpropagation neural network model with a single hidden layer to accurately predict the resistant and durable characteristics of self-compacting concrete. The optimal number of neurons in the hidden layer was determined using a fitting component selection method, implemented in MATLAB software(2021b). Additionally, qualitative analysis was conducted using sensitivity …

An Evaluation Of Parameters Which Affect Dairy Herd Movement On Irish Pasture-Based Farms, Paul James Maher, Michael D. Murphy, Michael Egan, Patrick Tuohy

Publications

In pasture-based grazing systems, farm roadways are a pivotal link to connect paddocks on the grazing platform to the milking parlour. However, their effectiveness in the efficient movement of the dairy herd between the grazing paddocks and the milking parlour has yet to be fully quantified. A validation experiment was conducted on a research farm to analyse characteristics on farm roadways that may affect cow throughput, which was observed as the number of cows per minute (CPM) passing a specified location. Roadway width (R2 = 0.96) and surface condition score (SC) (R2 = 0.78, respectively) were both positively associated with …

Investigation Of The Effective Parameters On The Phenol Removal From The Groundwater By Response Surface Method, Khatereh Ahmadi, Farhad Qaderi, S. Mustapha Rahmaninezhad, Reza Shidpour

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The discharge of industrial waste containing organic pollutants like phenol has caused a surge in environmental complications in water, soil, and air. In recent years, the concentration of phenolic pollutants has risen due to their high toxicity and environmental persistence. This research used geotextile/activated carbon (GTX/AC) adsorbent to purify groundwater contaminated with phenol, owing to its easy availability. A low-cost geotextile carrier was utilized to avoid the dispersion of active carbon in the groundwater. Response surface method (RSM) was used in the present research to design and optimize experimental tests. The results indicate that the initial concentration, pH, and adsorbent …

Thermodynamic Properties Of Common Salts In Aqueous Solutions, Li Shu, Veeriah Jegatheesan, Leonardo Jegatheesan

Research outputs 2022 to 2026

A relationship between the activity of hydrogen ions and charge activity in an aqueous solution has been developed in a previous study. That study also revealed that the potential energy of an aqueous solution can be obtained by multiplying the charge activity with electrostatic potential of the solution. In this study, negative potential energy equalling Gibbs energy of four common salt (NaCl, KCl, NaNO3 and KNO3) solutions were quantified using the charge activity. Then the entropies of those salt solutions were computed using the Gibbs energy, enthalpy, and the charge activity. Charge activities were computed using the pH of those …

Statistical And Machine Learning Approaches To Describe Factors Affecting Preweaning Mortality Of Piglets, Md Towfiqur Rahman, Tami M. Brown-Bandl, Gary A. Rohrer, Sudhendu R. Sharma, Vamsi Manthena, Yeyin Shi

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

High preweaning mortality (PWM) rates for piglets are a significant concern for the worldwide pork industries, causing economic loss and well-being issues. This study focused on identifying the factors affecting PWM, overlays, and predicting PWM using historical production data with statistical and machine learning models. Data were collected from 1,982 litters from the U.S. Meat Animal Research Center, Nebraska, over the years 2016 to 2021. Sows were housed in a farrowing building with three rooms, each with 20 farrowing crates, and taken care of by well-trained animal caretakers. A generalized linear model was used to analyze the various sow, litter, …