Civil Engineering Commons^™

Cost-Benefit Analysis Of Increased Water Treatment Plant Service Goals On Reducing Water Quality Risk, Briton Polen, Kendra Sanner

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

To treat water to make it safe to drink, disinfection processes are used in water treatment plants. These disinfection processes produce disinfection byproducts (DBPs) through the reaction of organic matter and the disinfectant, such as chlorine. DBPs have been shown to pose a cancer risk to consumers. In this report, the focus is on two types of DBPs, trihalomethanes (THMs) and haloacetic acids (HAAs). The cancer risks associated with DBPs are analyzed through ingestion and inhalation pathways. Ingestion and inhalation consist of common water uses like drinking, cooking, or bathing. In addition to this, DBPs have been shown to increase …

Data Driven Method To Assess Safety And Energy On Freeway And Intersection Performance Using Probe Vehicle, Rezwana Kabir

Wayne State University Dissertations

Traffic congestion in cities is becoming a more pressing issue as travel demand increases, leading to safety and mobility problems and wasteful use of vehicle energy. Both freeways and signalized corridors are important in creating an efficient transportation network, and congestion on these infrastructure types presents a significant mobility concern in the United States. With advances in sensing technologies for intelligent transportation systems, probe vehicles equipped with GPS-enabled devices such as cell phones and in-vehicle telematics or navigation systems are increasingly being used to gather more information about traffic conditions. While fixed point detectors can be limited by their geographical …

Does The Ite Trip Generation Manual Overestimate The Trip Generation Of Stores In Northeast Ohio?, Shawn Monahan

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

This project will examine the use of the Trip Generation Manual to estimate the number of 'trips' per average weekday. A trip is defined as a vehicular movement from one location to another. The Trip Generation Manual will examine the estimated number of trips generated for local discount superstores in the Northeast Region of Ohio. Surveys were completed for local data, supplemented with a vehicle occupancy rate sample. This will provide a baseline that the Trip Generation Manual will be compared to.

An Analysis Of The Influence Of Speed On Fatal Accidents In Ohio, Megan Johnson

Williams Honors College, Honors Research Projects

Through data collected by NHTSA and FARS, Ohio crash data resulting in fatalities were analyzed through four different breakdowns to determine variables correlating to the fatalities. The breakdowns include dividing data from overall Ohio data, reports involving speeding, then from there to single-vehicle crashes. That data was divided down to only include male drivers and then finally only motorcycles. This data was analyzed as it was broken down to find trends with each category. Through these analyses, the trends were developed to suggest recommendations to implement through education and laws to help reduce the number of crashes resulting in fatalities.

Building Services Engineering January/February 2023

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Hdd Dataset: Optimising Retrofitted Insulation For Irish Residential Building Walls, Rakshit D. Muddu, Aimee Byrne, Anthony James Robinson

Datasets

In this study, a thermal-economic analysis was conducted to determine the optimum insulation thickness of retrofitted insulation walls in different regions in Ireland. This was based on the Heating Degree Day method (HDD). This dataset contains optimum insulation thickness, payback period, cost savings and carbon emission for all 25 counties in the Republic of Ireland

Implementation Of Ground Penetrating Radar (Gpr) And Complementary Non-Destructive Testing On Concrete Structures, Macy Spears

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This study analyzes the application and practicality of different non-destructive testing (NDT) methods for the inspection of reinforced concrete. There are two studies discussed in this paper. The first one is a laboratory investigation, utilizing ground penetrating radar (GPR) on concrete slabs that consisted of simulated defects to mimic those found in real concrete structures. This served as a preliminary experiment to verify the GPR data with the design of the slabs. The following study describes a field investigation on an old bridge deck, which involved multiple testing methods. The techniques used were GPR, impact echo (IE), ultrasonic pulse echo …

Strengthening Of Damaged Structural Members With External Frp, Krishna Tulasi Gadde

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composites are excellent alternatives to traditional materials for civil infrastructure. Several researchers have worked on the application of FRP composites for construction, repair, and rehabilitation of structures. This research aims at evaluating the use of carbon, glass, basalt, and hybrid FRPs with epoxy and polyurethane resin systems for rehabilitation of damaged structural components. Following evaluations were carried out in this research: (i) tension testing of FRP coupons, (ii) compression testing of concrete cylinders with and without damaged sections/FRP reinforcements, (iii) flexural testing of external-FRP reinforced RC beams with and without damages, (iv) pull-off tests on FRP …

A Computer Vision-Based Method For Tack Coat Coverage Inspection Using Drone-Collected Images, Aida Da Silva

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Tack coat is a thin asphalt applied between the existing surface and asphalt overlay during road rehabilitation. The uniformity of tack coat coverage plays a vital role in providing adhesive bonding between the two layers in the pavement structures. To ensure tack coat uniformity, the current practice primarily relies on manual inspection during construction by field experts. This process is time-consuming and tedious, and the results can be subjective and error-prone. Drones have emerged as a non-destructive sensing technology in the construction industry for many inspection practices. Unlike other non-destructive inspection technologies, drones offer benefits ranging from accelerating data collection …

Visual Sensing For Comprehensive Granular Traffic Data Collection In Support Of Intelligent Transportation Applications, Linjun Lu

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Comprehensive granular traffic data collection has been identified as one of the most essential tasks in the development of intelligent transportation systems (ITS). With the recent advances in electro-optical sensors and computational capacities, machine vision is regarded as cost-efficient for traffic data collection. However, the existing vision-based methods are only applicable for collecting limited types of traffic data, and a unified method allowing for comprehensive traffic data collection is still missing in the existing literature. Moreover, there are still challenges that exist for the use of the existing vision-based methods in real settings, including low accuracy and compromised applicability due …

Concentrated Wastewater Treatment Using A Ferric Iron-Dosed Anaerobic Upflow Sludge Blanket Reactor For Recovery Of Phosphorus And Ammonium, Carley E. Shingleton

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

This study evaluated the performance of a novel, ferric iron-dosed anaerobic bioreactor to recover two separate nutrient products from concentrated wastewaters -- phosphorus as vivianite (Fe₃(PO₄)₂×8H₂O) and an ammonium-containing effluent with low organics. A bench-scale upflow anaerobic sludge blanket (UASB) reactor fed with a synthetic wastewater (458.0 mg/L total organic carbon, 282.7 mg/L ammonium, and 84.4 mg/L phosphate) was dosed with a ferric chloride solution at an org. C/Fe³⁺ molar ratio ~17.5 to facilitate organic carbon oxidation coupled to iron reduction. The reactor design allowed natural settling of vivianite to its …

Weigh-In-Motion Data-Driven Pavement Performance Prediction Models, Mohhammad Afsar Sujon

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The effective functioning of pavements as a critical component of the transportation system necessitates the implementation of ongoing maintenance programs to safeguard this significant and valuable infrastructure and guarantee its optimal performance. The maintenance, rehabilitation, and reconstruction (MRR) program of the pavement structure is dependent on a multidimensional decision-making process, which considers the existing pavement structural condition and the anticipated future performance. Pavement Performance Prediction Models (PPPMs) have become indispensable tools for the efficient implementation of the MRR program and the minimization of associated costs by providing precise predictions of distress and roughness based on inventory and monitoring data concerning …

Feasibility Of Applying Motion Magnification In Subsurface Defect Detection For Concrete And Fiber-Reinforced Polymer Specimens, Nagavardhani Malineni

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Irrespective of size and complexity, every civil infrastructure needs certain scrutiny regarding its structural health to ensure its serviceability during its lifetime. In olden times such scrutiny was done with the aid of destructive testing methods using sensors that required cumbersome and expensive installations and led to the destruction of at least part of the tested specimen. However, in recent times, many non-destructive methods, such as acoustic emission testing, electromagnetic testing, and laser testing methods have emerged, leaving the specified tested specimen undisturbed. With the advancement in sensor technology like motion magnification and with the help of access to high-speed …

Investigating The Change In Pavement Cracking Data Due To Automated Data Collection Methods, Faisal Quibria Chowdhury

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Data collection on pavement surface cracks is crucial for the state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) to make informed decisions on maintenance, repair, and rehabilitation (MR&R) activities. The collected cracking data is translated into a pavement performance indicator to assess the condition of pavement sections and identify MR&R needs based on predetermined threshold values set by the state DOTs. State DOTs have transitioned from manual to automated data collection as automation offers many advantages over manual data collection, such as improved data collection rates, efficiency, cost reduction, and safety. As the state DOTs have integrated automated data into the pavement performance …

Study Of Capillary Channel Fiber Augmented Geobags For Accelerated Dewatering Of High Moisture Content Fine-Grained Acid Mine Drainage Precipitate, Luke William Daugherty

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

The objective of this study was to investigate techniques to accelerate filtration and dewatering of Acid Mine Drainage precipitate using geobags augmented with Capillary Chanel Fibers and internal lateral drainage structures. Laboratory and field research investigated increasing the total solids retention of Acid Mine Drainage precipitate in geobag storage systems. Current geobag design and field application of treated AMD precipitate exhibits limited filtration and drainage efficiency due to the high moisture content (2500%) polymer amended AMD flocculated solids. Capillary channel fibers (CCFs) are geosynthetic yarns formed with microgrooves and set into bundled arrangements capable of wicking water, via capillary action, …

Exploring Opportunities And Challenges Of Adopting Exoskeletons And Exosuits In Construction: Identifying Facilitators, Barriers, And Potential Solutions To Those Barriers, Dilruba Mahmud

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Exoskeletons and exosuits (collectively termed as EXOs) have the potential to reduce the risk of work-related musculoskeletal disorders (WMSDs) by protecting workers from exertion and muscle fatigue due to physically demanding, repetitive, and prolonged work in construction workplaces. However, the use of EXOs in construction is in its infancy, and much knowledge for driving acceptance, adoption, and application of this technology is still lacking. This paper aims to identify the potential facilitators and barriers to adopting EXOs in the construction industry, along with potential solutions to those identified barriers to fostering the adoption of EXOs in construction workplaces through a …

Evaluations Of Frp Composite Coupons Under Impact And Puncture, Lekhnath Bhandari

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Evaluations of FRP Composite Coupons Under Impact and Puncture

Lekhnath Bhandari

Railroad tank cars are the main mode of transportation for carrying flammable liquids and other hazardous materials, in any mode of ground transportation system. These tank cars, if punctured during derailments may explode releasing large amounts of hazardous materials and posing serious threats to human life and leading to economic losses. To minimize such catastrophes, in 2015, United States Department of Transportation (USDOT) proposed to improve the thermal and puncture performances of these tank cars and introduced two new design specifications: DOT-117 and DOT-117R. Tank cars with 9/16 inches …

Exploring The Usage Of Acid Mine Drainage Sludge As A Soil Amendment For Reclaimed Mine Lands, Brady Watters

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Acid mine drainage (AMD) is a form of water pollution generated when water and oxygen come into contact with sulfide minerals, forming metal ions, sulfuric acid, and sulphates in solution. AMD is characterized by its toxic metals content and low pH, both of which are an environmental concern. The treatment of AMD separates the contaminants into a high-water content sludge. This sludge is a pure waste product under current evaluation for alternative uses as well as improvements to storage and treatment processes. This thesis focused on analyzing the potential for AMD sludge to be used in recently reclaimed lands as …

Multiscale Evaluation Of The Effect Of Deicing Agents And Environmental Conditions On The Performance Of Asphalt Pavements In Cold Regions, Maryam Mihandoust

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Electronic Waste As Synthetic Aggregate For Portland Cement Concrete, Md Shafaul Islam

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Lightweight concrete has grown in popularity in the building industry in recent years. Due to its environmental and economic benefits, the construction sector favors using lightweight concrete in applications allowed by the technical specifications. On the other hand, electronics waste (e-waste) is the world’s most rapidly growing waste problem. Given the scale and the volume of global concrete construction, incorporating e-waste as a lightweight concrete construction material can potentially reduce sending electronic waste to landfills, which is an environmental benefit. Additionally, it will help with saving the consumption of virgin aggregates. This study was undertaken to determine the feasibility of …

An Analysis Of The Effect Of Temperature On Asphalt Paving In South Dakota, S M Rahat Rashedi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Temperature is an important parameter to consider for asphalt paving since this work is generally susceptible to weather due to outdoor construction. The South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) developed working day weather charts in 1998 to address the expected adverse weather days. This thesis investigated the effect of temperature on adverse weather days for asphalt paving and compared them to the value reported in the 1998 SDDOT study. Moreover, the thesis also examined how closely the maximum temperature data from project sites' weekly progress reports (WPR) matched the data from the closest weather stations. When the maximum temperature (TMAX) …

Environmental Controls Of Greenhouse Fluxes In Freshwater Wetlands Across The Globe, Samira Jahan

Graduate Theses, Dissertations, and Problem Reports (ETD)

Freshwater wetlands can contribute significantly to the global carbon budget as a net source or sink of the major greenhouse gas (GHG) fluxes such as carbon dioxide (FCO₂) and methane (FCH₄). The amount of GHG fluxes in the freshwater wetlands is highly variable and depends on a range of environmental drivers. These wetlands are commonly hypothesized to be net sinks (i.e., burial) of FCO₂ and net sources (emission) of FCH₄ at the monthly to annual scales. Understanding the environmental controls on the wetland GHG fluxes is essential for an accurate estimation of the global …

Accessing The Relative Sustainability Of Point-Of-Use Water Disinfection Technologies Through Costs And Environmental Impacts, Bright C. Elijah

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

According to the World Health Organization, 785 million people lack access to basic drinking water facilities, and 144 million people rely on surface water which is prone to microbial contamination. Point-of-use (POU) water disinfection technologies can be adopted to help address these issues by treating water at the household level; however, navigating various POU disinfection technologies for a given water source or location can be difficult. While numerous conventional POU technologies exist (e.g., boiling water, POU chlorination), new emerging POU technologies (e.g., using novel materials or advanced processes) have been coined by developers to be lower cost with higher treatment …

Assessing Erosion Improvement In Beach Sand Treated With Bioslurry, Peter E. Schmillen

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the last 10 years microbially induced calcite precipitation (MICP) has emerged as a possible solution to reduce shoreline erosion. To date, most MICP soil treatments that have been studied involve column injection using a pump. In recent years, MICP application through surface percolation has gained traction as an alternative technique, but data using this technique are limited. More recently, a new treatment recipe/technique was developed, and this technique was termed “bioslurry”. Like most MICP studies research with bioslurry concentrated on the column injection method, and surface percolation has received very limited attention. This paper discusses the treatment of Florida …

Analysis Of Underwater Noise Due To Pile Driving In Florida Using Individual Hammer Blows, Consolatha Constantine Mushi

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

In recent years, the potential impact on marine organisms of sound waves generated by pile driving has become a growing concern. Previous research in this field has predominantly relied upon single-strike averages to analyze underwater sound data. However, it was unclear from these analyses if or how much attenuation may vary during typical pile drives. This study involved collecting sound data from multiple locations during a given pile driving operation at the same time and used these data to analyze sound decay from each hammer blow individually. In addition to this, computational fluid dynamics (CFD) was used to better understand …

Frequency Analysis Of A New Empirical Model To Predict Underwater Transmission Loss During Impact Pile Driving, Mariam S. Makoleo

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Over the years, anthropogenic noise generated by pile driving activities has increased, posing a significant concern for marine organisms and their ecosystems. This study aims to entail a comprehensive frequency analysis of a new empirical model to predict underwater transmission loss during impact pile driving. To achieve this objective, extensive data collection was undertaken, and spectral and frequency analyses were conducted to examine the frequency content and attenuation patterns of the sound. The results of the study reveal that sound attenuation is frequency-dependent. Notably, low frequencies, typically below 100 Hz, and very high frequencies, approximately 10 kHz, were found to …

Predicting Florida's Extreme Wind Events: A Deep Learning Approach, Irene Josephat Byemerwa

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Extreme wind events, such as hurricanes and tropical storms, have devastating impacts on infrastructure, economy, and public safety in Florida. Traditional predictive methods, linear regression, logistic regression, and autoregressive integrated moving-average (ARIMA) models have limitations in accounting for non-stationarity and nonlinearity in meteorological data, leading to less accurate predictions. The primary objective of this study is to leverage the capabilities of deep learning algorithms, specifically, Feedforward Neural Networks (FFNNs), to develop a predictive model that outperforms traditional predictive methods in forecasting extreme wind events in Florida. The deep learning model was trained, validated, and tested using historical wind speed data …

Development Of Practical Assessment Techniques For Sinkhole Potential In Florida Based On Sinkhole Vulnerability Indices, Sylvia Pesha

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Sinkholes are natural geohazards prevalent in Florida's distinctive karst geology, posing risks to public safety, infrastructure, and groundwater integrity. Considering the increasing frequency of sinkhole occurrences in Florida due to land development in vulnerable soils, understanding the potential for sinkhole occurrence can aid in the identification of high-risk locations and inform effective mitigation strategies. Researchers have developed three point-based indices to be used when assessing the vulnerability a project site has to sinkhole formation based on the encountered subsurface conditions. Engineers have historically used an index based on the subsurface layer thicknesses, called the Raveling Index (RI). In recent years, …

Exploring Of User Experience And Evaluating Mobility Benefits Of Micromobility Systems And Golf Carts: Case Study Of Florida, Kabhabhela C. Bukuru

UNF Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Micromobility devices and golf carts (GCs)/Low speed vehicles(LSVs) are urban transportation solutions that provide short-distance travel options, including first- and last-mile trips. They mostly operate at speeds of 15 mi/h to 35 mi/h. The micromobility devices include e-scooters and e-bikes. The micromobility devices and golfcarts are increasing rapidly in the transportation system, and thus, it is necessary to explore their various factors. The objective of this study is to explore the user experience and evaluate the mobility benefits of the micromobility systems in Florida.

A survey was conducted in various cities with a substantial user base of micromobility devices. Various …

Surrogate-Assisted Model Methods For Maximum Compression Capacity Predictions Of Concrete-Filled Stainless-Steel Tubular Columns, Ly Ith

Chulalongkorn University Theses and Dissertations (Chula ETD)

This work explores the prediction of axial strength of circular concrete-filled stainless-steel tubular (CFSST) columns, employing advanced machine learning techniques, including Gaussian Process Regression (GPR) and Extreme Gradient Boosting (XGBoost). The dataset comprises over 100 columns from experimental tests, with only a few of them being long or slender, limiting prediction accuracy. To address this, our study introduces a robust numerical modeling approach using Finite Element Method (FEM) to generate additional data points for long columns. The results are then benchmarked against established standards such as American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) and the Eurocode 4, illustrating the potential of …