Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Piezoelectric Concrete: A Smart Material Approach For Energy-Harvesting Structural Technologies, Dianah Mazlan, Vynotdni Rathinasamy, Naveen Kumar, Liu Chunpeng, Elango Elango

Journal of Sustainable Construction Materials and Technologies

The rapid growth of urban infrastructure demands innovative materials that not only support structural performance but also contribute to sustainability through energy harvesting. Piezoelectric concrete, which integrates ceramics, polymers, nanomaterials, and bio-based fillers into cementitious matrices, has emerged as a promising solution. This review systematically explores the fundamentals of piezoelectricity in concrete, highlighting how stress-induced electromechanical coupling enables both energy harvesting and structural health monitoring. The paper critically evaluates major material systems including PZT ceramics, PVDF polymers, hybrid nanocomposites, and emerging bio-based materials, alongside their integration strategies such as embedded and surface-mounted approaches. Applications across pavements, bridges, and smart buildings …

Design And Evaluation Of The Influence Of Mutual Induction On Microbial Electrolysis Cell Performance And Biogas Production, Ashley L. Blackwell

Civil Engineering ETDs

Microbial electrolysis cells (MECs) present a pathway for energy recovery in wastewater treatment by converting organic substrates into methane or hydrogen. Traditional MEC designs typically rely on physical electrode contacts and expensive materials, which restrict their scalability. This study introduces the first induction-based MEC that uses mutual inductance between an external copper wrap and an internal coil to generate a fluctuating electrical potential, removing the need for expensive electrodes. The induction-stimulated reactor showed faster total organic carbon removal and a higher CH4/CO2 ratio compared to a conventional anaerobic digester, indicating improved carbon-to-methane conversion, although total gas yield remained similar. Microbial …

Geologic And Geochemical Investigation Of The Ruby Graphite Deposit, Mikayla Taylor

Graduate Theses & Non-Theses

The Ruby Graphite project (RGP, also known as the Crystal Graphite deposit) is located in the southern Ruby Mountains, Beaverhead County. The deposit contains coarse-grained and highly crystalline graphite, which is a sought-after critical commodity in today’s global economy. The graphite is hosted by high-grade meta-sedimentary and meta-igneous rocks that reached peak metamorphism during the ~ 1.7 Ma Big Sky Orogeny. In this study, samples were collected from outcrops, mine dumps, and new (2023) drill core from the Ground Hog and Bird’s Nest locations. Rock types include calcitic marble, biotite-garnet schist, pegmatite, diopside-rich skarn, altered ultramafic intrusions, and a possible …

Quantifying Benefits Of Biochar With Variable Absorption Capacity As A Partial Cement Replacement In Concrete, Benjamin Shannon

Theses and Dissertations

Extensive research has been conducted on biochar-incorporated concrete. However, no concrete mixture design guideline is currently available for implementing biochar incorporation in practice. The objective of this study was to correlate biochar absorption capacity with the compressive strength of biochar-incorporated concrete, to quantify the benefits of biochar and develop mix design guidelines. Biochar with varying absorption capacities was incorporated into concrete at 10%, 20%, and 40%. Strength and moisture loss were recorded over the 90-day curing period of the biochar-incorporated concrete. Results revealed three main findings: (1) in 10%, 20%, and 40% biochar mixes, the normalized strengths ranged from 0.65–0.85, …

Evaluating Three Lightweight Airfield Matting Systems Under F-35b Aircraft Loading, Brett D. Cobb

Theses and Dissertations

Aircraft matting has been in service since WWII. It has provided a maneuverable substrate to allow aircraft forward operations to take place in austere environments. AM2 is the main matting system that has been used for generations. In recent years, the need for a lightweight matting system has come to the forefront of the matting community. This is not only to improve the maneuverability, but also the shipping restrictions. This research is on three different light weight matting systems above subgrade with two CBR values (i.e., 6 and 25). A specially designed load cart was adopted to simulate F-35B loading. …

Analysis Of Trends From Mass Concrete Case Studies, Bradford Songer

Theses and Dissertations

While conventional mass concrete is well understood, high strength and ultra high performance concrete present unique challenges when placed in large volumes. This thesis compiles and analyzes thermal data from mass high strength and ultra high performance concrete placements collected over the past eight years by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in support of military construction projects. The datasets span a wide range of material types and volumes. The analysis identifies trends in temperature development, temperature differentials, and the influence of mixture constituents on heat generation. This thesis contributes to the improved understanding of thermal behavior in mass concrete. …

Design And Development Of Rechargeable Cement-Based Batteries For Energy Storage Within Infrastructure, Dandan Yin

Tennessee State University Alumni Theses and Dissertations

This dissertation presented the design, fabrication, and evaluation of rechargeable cement-based batteries (CBB) for energy storage within infrastructure. The study aimed to integrate electrochemical energy storage directly into cementitious materials, enabling multifunctional and sustainable building systems. Nickel–iron electrodes and cement-based solid electrolytes to form durable, solid-state systems. The electrochemical impedance spectroscopy, cyclic voltammetry, and galvanostatic charge–discharge tests，along with microscopic testing and mechanical testing analyses, were conducted to assess battery performance. The carbon fiber mesh CBB achieved stable cycling over 100 cycles with quasi-reversible redox behavior and a maximum areal energy density of 7.6 Wh m⁻². Nickel foam electrodes, with their …

Mechanical, Durability, And Environmental Performance Of Limestone Powder-Modified Ultra-High-Performance Concrete, Yashovardhan Sharma, Meghana Yeluri, Srinivas Allena

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) delivers outstanding durability and strength but typically relies on high Portland cement content. This study evaluates a 20% cement replacement with limestone powder (LP) in UHPC and benchmarks performance under two curing regimes: moist curing (MC) and warm bath curing at 90 degrees C (WB). Metrics include workability, compressive and flexural behavior, shrinkage, freeze-thaw resistance, chloride transport (surface resistivity, RCPT), material cost, and embodied CO2. LP improved fresh behavior: flow increased by 14.3% in plain UHPC and 33% in fiber-reinforced UHPC (FR-UHPC). Compressive strengths remained in the UHPC range at 28-56 days (approximately 142-152 MPa with LP), …

Advancing Sustainable Co2 Mitigation: Experimental And Computational Analysis Of Thermal Carbon Chitosan Sorbent For Automotive Exhaust Capture, Dalia A. Ali Dr., Amir Ahmed Elgamal Eng., Rania Rushdy Moussa Dr.

Chemical Engineering

This study investigated the efficiency of thermal carbon chitosan (TCCS) sorbent for CO2 capture from vehicle exhaust emissions within a designed adsorption system. TCCS was synthesized and meticulously characterized using a series of analytical techniques, including Brunauer-Emmett-Teller (BET) surface area analysis, Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), Fourier Transform Infrared Spectroscopy (FTIR), X-ray Diffraction (XRD), Ther- mogravimetric Analysis (TGA), Energy Dispersive X-ray Spectroscopy (EDX), and Differential Scanning Calo- rimetry (DSC). The TCCS adsorbent showed high thermal stability and a heating value (HHV) of 23.5 MJ/kg. Adsorption isotherm study demonstrated that the maximum capacity of CO2 adsorption is 0.084 kg.CO2/kg. TCCS, as well …

Time Series Modeling Of Land Use And Land Cover Classification Using Remote Sensing, Ahmed A. F. Abd El Hamed, Fawzi H. Zarzoura, Mahmoud El-Mewafi

Mansoura Engineering Journal

Understanding land use / land cover changes is essential for planning sustainable development. It represents the transformation of the land due to human activities, which is related to sustainable development that aims to achieve the needs of the present generations without affecting the future. Land use / Land cover is studied in Al Alamein region, northern Egypt, with supervised classification methods using satellite images from Landsat 8 and Sentinel - 2A in 2023 and analyzes the accuracy assessment, which shows Maximum likelihood is better in both sensors achieving overall accuracy (91.80% and 91.02%) and kappa coefficient (0.814 and 0.8799). Then …

Analytical Assessment Of Pedestrian Crashes On Low-Speed Corridors, Therezia Matongo, Deo Chimba

Civil and Architectural Engineering Faculty Research

This study presents a comprehensive statewide analysis of pedestrian-involved crashes recorded in Tennessee between 2002 and 2025. We evaluated the influence of roadway, traffic, environmental, and socioeconomic factors on pedestrian crash frequency and severity with substantial components focused on lighting impacts including dark and nighttime. A multi-method analytical framework was implemented, combining descriptive statistics, non-parametric tests, regression analysis, and advanced machine learning techniques including the Adaptive Neuro-Fuzzy Inference System (ANFIS) and the gradient boosting model (XGBoost). Results indicated that dark and nighttime conditions accounted for a disproportionate share of severe crashes—fatal and serious injuries under dark conditions reached over 40%, …

Collaborative Research: Fair + R: Building The Future Of More Reproducible Water Research Through Community Best Practices, Software Tools, Cohort Building, And Policy Change., James H. Stagge, David E. Rosenberg, Sierra Young

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This project aims to create a pathway towards a future, ten years from now, when a majority of published research across geosciences is not only FAIR (Findable, Accessible, Interoperable, and Reusable), but reproducible by a third party. Building on the Center for Open Science framework for cultural change, this project is organized around four scaffolded goals: improving infrastructure and tools, building community support, aligning incentives, and minimizing barriers to policy change. We will systematically analyze 300-500 publications from leading hydrology and water resources journal to quantify changes in reproducibility rates since 2017 and identify the tools and practices that best …

Jer-2021 Assistance To The State Water Resources Research Institute Program (Year 1 Of 5) For The 104(B) Program, David Tarboton

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Wg-2413 Remote Sensing Of Wine-Grapevine Transpiration For Improving Vine Water Status, Alfonso Faustino Torres

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Improving Profitability Of Small And Medium Sized Farms Though Economic Optimization Of Wheel-Line Irrigation, John B. Barker, Ryan A. Larsen, Matt A. Yost

Funded Research Records

No abstract provided.

Developing A Waste-To-Energy Assessment Framework Integrating Engineering And Policy Dimensions Using A Triple Bottom Line Approach, Izech Brian O. Edwin, King Harold A. Recto

Electronics, Computer, and Communications Engineering Faculty Publications

The management of municipal solid waste (MSW) in swiftly urbanizing Philippine cities has emerged as a critical concern in both energy and governance. Dependence on landfills is approaching critical thresholds as disposal sites near saturation, transportation costs escalate, and host communities increasingly resist garbage transfers. In response, this study proposes a comprehensive Waste-to-Energy (WtE) assessment framework that integrates engineering evaluation with policy and stakeholder analysis to support sustainable decision- making.

Using Baguio City as a case study, the framework applies a Triple Bottom Line (TBL) approach to evaluate three waste management scenarios: (1) current landfill-dominated practices, (2) engineered landfill with …

Equity-Aware Natural Hazards Resilience Assessment And Improvement Of Road Networks, Naqib Mashrur

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

As climate change intensifies the frequency and severity of hurricanes, the resulting flood events pose escalating threats to transportation infrastructure and community well-being. This dissertation addresses the intersection of flood resilience, network connectivity, and social equity by integrating principles from network analysis, equity planning, and disaster resilience. The research begins by examining the social dimensions of accessibility loss during hurricane-induced flooding. Spatial and demographic analysis reveals that Native American and Hispanic populations in the case study region experience the most significant reductions in access to essential service facilities, highlighting inequities in systems.

Investigating a region southern Louisiana road network demonstrates …

Bond Behavior Of Full-Scale Beams Using Sustainable Self-Compacting Concrete, Hayder H. Alghazali, Atheer H.M. Algburi, John J. Myers

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Sustainable concrete is a step towards greener and more eco-friendly concrete construction practices, helping to solve global environmental problems. The present study focuses on the bond behavior between steel reinforcement and greener self-compacting concrete, specifically sustainable self-compacting concrete (SUS-SCC). Three SUS-SCC mixtures with different fly ash (FA) to cement replacement levels of [50, 60, and 70% (by mass)] were developed. Twelve full-scale SUS-SCC beams with a cross-section of (305 x 57) mm and a total length of 3048 mm were cast and tested using a four-point load test setup. The effect of longitudinal and lateral steel reinforcement ratios in the …

Water Rights Accounting And Distribution In Utah, Sarah Null, Bethany Neilson, Eileen Lukens, Eryn Turney, Utah Division Of Water Rights

Watershed Sciences Faculty Publications

This white paper summarizes how the Utah Division of Water Rights (WRi) administers water rights through the coordinated processes of water distribution and accounting. Water distribution involves apportioning divertible flow in river systems by adjusting diversions and reservoir storage. To account for and distribute water effectively, WRi must first determine the amount of water available for diversion each day, then prioritize water rights when water supply is insufficient to satisfy all demands. WRi has developed specialized tools and models to support this process.

This paper was developed through a collaboration between WRi and Utah State University to produce a report …

Nonlinear Flow Structures From The Interaction Of Internal Waves With Topography, Matthew R. Klema, S. Karan Venayagamoorthy

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This paper presents numerical simulations of the interaction of first-mode internal waves with a topographic edge at the intermediate scale, O (100) m, with a focus on the evolution of flow structures. Flow structure variation and evolution is explored through direct modifications to the amplitude of the internal wave interacting with topographic features of varying wave-topographic slope (g/s), height of the topography to the total domain depth (ht/d), and the wave Froude number (Fr = U0/cph), where g is the internal wave slope, s is the topographic slope, ht is the height of the topography, d is the simulation depth, …

Identifying Influential Assets In Higher Order Interdependent Infrastructure Networks Through Population Impact, Akshat Chulahwat, Emad M. Hassan, Mersedeh Tariverdi, Miguel Nunez-Del-Prado, Hussam Mahmoud

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

A significant increase in catastrophic events worldwide has had a disastrous impact on the built environment, as these disruptive events devastate critical infrastructure lifelines, resulting in a substantial reduction of services across a community. Management of critical infrastructure assets is essential, and this can be achieved by optimal resource allocation to key assets within interconnected systems. The majority of current literature focuses on capturing the behavior of infrastructure systems individually, which presents a computational problem when dealing with complex, interdependent infrastructure systems. In this study, a comprehensive framework to evaluate a type of influence metric for ranking node and edge …

Depth-Averaged Two-Dimensional Hydrodynamic Modeling In Headwater Channel And Floodplain Design., Jesse Dylan Robinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the channels and floodplains of inland waterways the hydrodynamic forces of floods destroy property and infrastructure, threaten lives, and damage aquatic habitat. Flood simulations using robust and efficient depth-averaged two-dimensional hydrodynamic models (2D models) can be interpreted to design effective solutions for areas vulnerable to damage. The reliable interpretation of 2D models for use in design is improved here through direct comparison of 2D model output to observed flood events at 6 headwater research sites. Instrumentation was used for model calibration and to define the surface hydrodynamics at sites with confined flows, wide and shallow flows, at vertical steps, …

Alkali-Silica Reactivity And Ionic Transport In Mortar With Hydrophobic Inclusions., Isaac Offei

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Alkali-silica reaction (ASR) causes extensive damage to concrete infrastructure worldwide, with traditional mitigation strategies increasingly constrained by supplementary cementitious material (SCM) supply limitations. This dissertation investigates an innovative approach to ASR prevention through strategic application of hydrophobic materials to modify moisture and ionic transport pathways in cement mortars. The research employed a comprehensive three-objective experimental program using highly reactive aggregates and three hydrophobic materials: hexamethyldisilazane (HMDS)-treated fumed silica, silane-based emulsion, and silane-based crème. The first objective demonstrated the feasibility of hydrophobic aggregate surface modification, achieving 46% and 38% reductions in ASR expansion for washed and non-washed hydrophobic aggregates, respectively. Microstructural …

Friction And Texture Evaluation Of Asphalt-Based Binders As Alternatives To Epoxy-Based High-Friction Surface Treatments, Alireza Roshan, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

High-friction surface treatment (HFST) is a safety-focused pavement treatment that restores and maintains pavement friction to reduce road accidents. Traditional epoxy-based HFSTs, while widely used, face challenges such as high costs, potential compatibility issues with the substrate pavement, and long-term durability under specific conditions. This study investigates asphalt-based alternative HFST, which is compatible with various pavement types and cost-effective and versatile solutions for a wider range of pavement applications. Performance and friction testing, including the British pendulum test, British wheel test, and dynamic friction test, were performed to examine the coefficient of friction (COF) before and after polishing with a …

Draft Genome Sequences Of Four Phosphate-Solubilizing Microbes Of The Family Burkholderiaceae Isolated From Tailings From The Former Pea Ridge Mine In Washington County, Mo, Usa, Prince Oppong Amoh, Abiodun E. Idowu, Elizabeth R. Grube, Melanie R. Mormile, Hunter W. Schroer

Biological Sciences Faculty Research & Creative Works

We present draft genome sequences of four Gram-negative phosphate-solubilizing microbes isolated from Pea Ridge Mine tailings in Missouri, USA. Belonging to the family Burkholderiaceae, these isolates exhibit a phosphate-mineral-dissolving phenotype in liquid and solid cultures. Genome sizes span 5.6–9.7 Mb, with GC contents of 61.6%–67.0%.

Steel-Concrete Composite Girder Experiments To Isolate Interface Load Transfer Effects On Stud Fatigue Life, Marc Crespi Hromcova

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Metal fatigue resulting from repeated loading is a primary limit state that affects the quantity of headed shear studs required in the composite design of steel bridge girders. While concrete-deck-to-steel-superstructure load transfer is only considered through stud bearing in the American Association of State Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) design standards, friction and interface interlocking effects may also contribute. This study aims to experimentally quantify the effect of interface conditions on the fatigue life of headed studs within composite girders. In this study, two full-scale composite girder specimens having the same geometry and material properties are tested with two interface conditions. …

Optimizing Indigenous Timber Short-Gap Crossing Designs By Minimizing Wood Moisture Content, Robert Greenwood

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Reducing moisture content increases wood strength and reduces the weight of timber members. An accurate and efficient method for measuring moisture content is important for the design and construction of indigenous timber short-gap crossings. This study evaluates different methods for measuring moisture content in timber, describes a methodology for developing a representative moisture content value for a timber log, and approaches for quickly drying large timber logs. The results of this thesis will support activities in developing a representative moisture content of a log for structural design purposes and reducing weight for constructability purposes. The approaches discussed were developed considering …

Toward A Better Understanding Of Friction, Adhesion, And Stud Bearing Shear Transfer At The Steel-Concrete Interface Of Composite Bridge Girders, Callie Grace James

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Following curing of the concrete deck, load transfer between the concrete and steel components in a composite bridge girder is possible through three mechanisms: 1) mechanical contact (bearing) between the embedded shear connectors and surrounding cured concrete, 2) adhesion between the cured concrete and steel-section top flange, and 3) friction between the contacting materials Understanding the mechanisms of bearing, adhesion, and friction shear transfer at the steel-concrete interface of composite bridge girders is necessary for efficient proportioning of headed shear connectors (or studs) in design. To better understand the roles that stud bearing, adhesion, and friction play in composite girder …

Investigating The Correlation And Synergy Of Artificial Intelligence Techniques, Construction Technologies, And Their Key Benefits, Fareed Salih, Islam H. El-Adaway

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Despite its reputation as one of the least digitized sectors, the construction industry increasingly adopts artificial intelligence (AI) and construction technologies. However, previous research has not adequately explored the benefits of AI techniques and construction technologies nor the correlations between them. This study aims to fill this knowledge gap. To this end, the authors used a multistep research methodology. First, a systematic literature review of studies published between 1985 and 2022 was conducted to identify AI techniques and construction technologies. Second, content and frequency analysis were performed to determine the benefits associated with AI and technology adoption. Finally, a survey …

Development Of A Kytc Highway Geometric Design Workshop, Jill Asher, Jeff Jasper, Travis Thompson, Chris Van Dyke

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In-depth knowledge of geometric design principles is a prerequisite for delivering road projects that provide safe and efficient multimodal mobility for all users. Historically, Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) early-career design staff arrived at the agency with little design experience. The agency has relied on a combination of short courses and mentorship provided by experienced personnel to bring early-career design staff up to speed on design best practices. However, this approach to training carries limitations. Employee turnover and imposing workloads make it challenging for early- and even mid-career design professionals to receive guidance from seasoned designers who have long tenures at …