Civil Engineering Commons^™

Creating A Bio-Based Circular Economy From Louisiana Sugarcane Byproducts, G. Aita, D. Bhatnagar, G. O. Bruni, M. Deliberto, G. Eggleston, A. Finger, K. Gravois, M. Isied, W. Judice, K. T. Kasson, I. M. Lima, J. L. Purswell, Mena I. Souliman, E. Terrell, B. S. Tubana, H. L. Waguespack Jr., J. J. Wang, P. M. White Jr.

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum) is Louisiana's number one row crop. Growing and processing sugarcane produces significant amounts of byproducts, including bagasse, crop residue, molasses, filter-press mud, and boiler fly ash. These products represent an important opportunity to generate value-added and specialty products and enhance sugarcane's sustainability by facilitating a circular economy, where agricultural by-products are reused instead of disposing them (linear economy), in order to reduce resource use and energy demand. Examples of value-added products range from biochar, construction materials, animal feed, biofuels, nanoparticles, and fertilizer. Paramount to the success of the bio-based circular economy is creating useful products that are …

Investigation Into The Effect Of Mixture Composition On Setting Time Of Magnesium Phosphate Cement, Autumn Broglen

Civil Engineering Undergraduate Honors Theses

Magnesium phosphate cement (MPC) is a cementitious material that is formed through an acid-base reaction between magnesia and phosphate. This reaction occurs rapidly, making MPC an appealing choice for rapid repair applications. The purpose of this project is to investigate the impact of different proportions of class F fly ash, set retarder consisting of a mixture of boric acid and dextrose, magnesium to phosphate ratio, and water/cement ratio on the initial setting time of MPC paste. Different mixtures of MPC paste were developed to vary the proportions of each constituent, and setting time of each mixture was determined using the …

Comparison Of Embodied Carbon Footprint Of A Mass Timber Building Structure With A Steel Equivalent, Mahboobeh Hemmati, Tahar Messadi, Hongmei Gu, Jacob Seddelmeyer, Moein Hemmati

Architecture Faculty Publications and Presentations

The main purpose of this study is to quantify and compare the embodied carbon (EC) from the materials used or designed to build the Adohi Hall, a residence building located on the University of Arkansas campus in Fayetteville, AR. It has been constructed as a mass timber structure. It is compared to the same building design with a steel frame for this study. Based on the defined goal and scope of the project, all materials used in the building structure are compared for their global warming potential (GWP) impact by applying a life cycle assessment (LCA) using a cradle-to-construction site …

Micro-Mechanical Characterization Of Uhpc Stiffness Mechanisms: Towards A Better Understanding Of Concrete Elastic Modulus, Charissa N. Puttbach

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Current design code equations for estimating the elastic modulus of specialty concretes like ultra-high performance concrete are not all suitable. Developing empirical curves from exhaustive experimental testing is challenging for concretes that may have high levels of cement replacement with mineral admixtures and fibers at varying volume contents. As such, an alternative approach is taken that seeks to understand the constituent microscale stiffness mechanisms and relate the results to the macroscale. Micropillars are fabricated on several cement paste phases using a focused ion beam. A modified pico-indenter is used to determine the linear and non-linear behavior under micro-compression loading. Micropillar …

Providing A Statistical Analysis Framework For Agencies To Analyze The Parameters Influencing The Rutting And Cracking Performance Of Asphalt Mixtures, Mohammad Tahir Ansari

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Many state agencies recognize that their current asphalt mixtures are susceptible to cracking and poor durability. Some agencies are adjusting their mix design procedures to increase the asphalt binder content, while others are moving toward a balanced mix design (BMD) to try and address both cracking and rutting. However, there is uncertainty on what asphalt mixture properties can impact cracking and rutting. This research explores the IDEAL-CT and APA data from two years of mix designs collected by ARDOT. To understand which asphalt mixture properties impact cracking and rutting in the field, Pearson correlation (PCM), Spearman rank correlation (SCM) and …

Proctor And Harvard Miniature Compaction Energy Comparison, Julia Loshelder

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Compaction with the Harvard Miniature Compaction Apparatus (HMCA) was investigated to develop a method that can be used in place of typical Proctor compaction. Advantages for compaction with the HMCA include the need for less soil for testing and less preparation time. To investigate the potential for HMCA as a replacement, soil specimens were compacted with both the Proctor and HMCA methodologies at equivalent energies. For this testing, the testing included modified energy (56,250 ft-lbf/ft³ [2693 kN-m/m³]), standard energy (12,375 ft-lbf/ft³ [593 kN-m/m³]), and reduced energy (6188 ft-lbf/ft³ [296 kN-m/m³]). Because …

Cyclic Testing Of A Skewed Special Moment Frame Rbs Connection Having A Composite Concrete Slab, Adam Neil Kirchner

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

Special moment frames (SMFs) having reduced beam section (RBS) connections are commonly used in high seismic areas as they resist lateral forces while preserving critical welded connection regions. RBS SMFs provide brace-free, unobstructed frame options which can be favorable for architectural purposes. However, when building designs require non-rectangular framing, laterally skewed connections may be needed. Current design provisions for SMF connections provide only limited commentary on such non-orthogonal connections as limited research exists documenting skewed frame behavior. This study experimentally evaluates the cyclic behavior of a full-scale double-sided skewed SMF RBS specimen having a composite concrete slab. During the imposed …

Use Of Bcsa Cement In Soil-Cement Mixtures As A Rapid Flood Repair Technique, Mariel Mayori Rivero

Graduate Theses and Dissertations

The research discusses the vulnerable condition of hydraulic structures, specially dams and levees located in the United States, structures that are often times made of earthfill material and that have been greatly impacted by recent flood events. The need for a rapid setting material for active flood fighting efforts is inarguable, in order to mitigate collateral expenses caused by the often long closure times when repair is taking place, especially when dewatering is necessary. Therefore, this research tested different proportions of cement in soil-cement mixtures at varying moisture contents with the interest of evaluating the performance of the soil-cement when …

Investigating Rural Traffic Dynamics: A Traffic Study On E 2nd Street Intersection’S Behavior And Safety, Ma Anjelika Rose T. Pineda

2024 Spring Honors Capstone Projects - Archive

Traffic studies guide engineers in designing road networks to ensure smooth traffic flow and public safety. Such studies assess the need for traffic control devices to manage vehicle flow safely and efficiently. This is crucial at intersections which pose high risks of collision and congestion. A traffic analysis at the intersection of Island Grove and E 2nd Street on the FM-4 roadway in Cleburne, TX was conducted to evaluate the sufficiency of the current traffic control device. TxDOT warrants and standards and a field study were utilized and performed to justify the substitution for a traffic signal at the intersection. …

Routing Opportunities For Commercial Crossings Between El Paso And Juarez, Marek Musil

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the topic of commercial movements between the El Paso and Ciudad Juarez road networks and the implications of the possible changes in their routing. This area houses several ports of entry, which present one of the busiest commercial and personal border crossings in the whole nation. The primary focus was to evaluate the recently proposed reconstruction scenario of removing trucks from the Bridge of the Americas and study the impacts on the flows throughout the other ports. The chosen tool to support the analysis is a mesoscopic simulation software called DynusT, which is capable of modeling the …

Smart Public Transportation And Mobility Hub Design In El Paso, Jiri Vojtisek

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

This thesis explores the potential of a Smart Public Transportation concept and mobility hub design as tools to mitigate the growing trend of transportation issues, such as traffic congestion, reliance on privately owned vehicles, or unattractive public transportation. Consequently, residentsâ?? lives are negatively affected by excessive noise, air pollution, and travel delays, leading to increased safety risks, lost productivity, and a lower quality of life. Considering these challenges, the study begins by analyzing the current state of public transportation in El Paso. Next, it introduces a toolkit from the Smart City concept, followed by case studies of best practices of …

Bim Coordination Post Pandemic, Zachary Marshall

Honors Scholar Theses

The goal of this thesis is to utilize previous research done on virtual meetings and build upon it by conducting new research on the successes and failures of current virtual BIM meetings. This paper starts with a literature review looking into Building Information Modeling (BIM) Coordination and the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the BIM meetings. BIM meetings started to shift virtual due to the nature of the pandemic and this has had effects on the performance and structure of the coordination. This knowledge was then expanded on by looking at virtual BIM meeting case studies. Interviews were …

Development And Evaluation Of An Arsenic Transport Model For The Maurice River Watershed, Christina Eddleman

All Theses

For many Superfund sites across the United States, arsenic is one of the most common contaminants of concern that must be cleaned up to protect human and environmental health. Past research and health studies have documented the harmful effects of inorganic arsenic on humans and the environment but selecting an appropriate remediation plan depends on several site-specific factors at each Superfund site. To assist in determining an appropriate remediation plan, sediment and contaminant transport models have been used to simulate the transport of arsenic and other contaminants of concern at contaminated sites to, e.g., make relative comparisons of the efficacy …

Culvert Design And Roadway Restoration Of Cavett Road At Damon Creek, Kevin Harvey

Honors College Theses

Cavett Road is a small, two lane rural road located in Kirksey, Kentucky. This road faces the issue of flooding during light-to-moderate rain, posing risk to those who use the road, especially those living along Cavett Road. This flooding is also capable of washing away the surface of Cavett Road and the adjacent banks and soil wall of the creek, creating a risk of erosion and soil subsidence. To reduce the risk of flooding and erosion and improve roadway function, this project outlines a potential solution using newly-installed reinforced concrete box culverts and soil fill above them to improve the …

Wildfire Impacts On Soil: Hydrophobicity Inducement And Water Drop Penetration Test, Max A. Veneris

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The increasing prevalence of wildfires in today’s day and age has amplified the need for post-fire remediation and environmental restoration, especially in the wildland-urban interface (WUI). One of these impacts is soil hydrophobicity, or soil water repellency, which is a well-documented phenomenon after wildfires. Hydrophobicity can significantly impacting revegetation, slope stability, runoff, and erosion potential. To better understand the soil fire-induced hydrophobicity and its impact on other soil properties, variable levels of hydrophobicity need to be repeatably induced in several types of soils under different controlled testing conditions to measure other soil properties. To reach this goal two ingredients are …

A Parametric Study On The Energy Dissipation Capability Of Frictional Mechanical Metamaterials Engineered For Vibration Isolation, Shayan Khosravi, Mohsen Amjadian

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Mechanical metamaterials are engineered structures with complex geometric arrangements that display unconventional mechanical properties which are uncommon in traditional materials. They possess the ability to manipulate and control mechanical wave propagation across specific frequency ranges known as frequency bandgaps. This feature makes them extremely useful for a variety of applications in structural control including passive vibration isolation. These materials can be engineered to selectively block or redirect the input motion at their dominant frequency while allowing the transmission of motion at other frequencies. This paper aims to study the dynamic performance of an innovative mechanical metamaterial designed for seismic isolation …

Smart Manufacturing Of Cement: From Lab-Scale Simulation And Testing To Industry-Scale Deployment., Juan David Tabares Tamayo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cement kilns are controlled by experienced process operators who follow experience-based industry guidelines using data collected and fundamental knowledge. The manufacturing process, which is equipped with sensors and equipment, transfers data/information to the operators to aid standardized decision-making operations. In contrast, companies have used such data to develop and implement digital solutions for predictive control systems; in effect, FLSmidth and Rockwell Automation. However, despite the availability of automated control systems and investigation in automation for process monitoring and optimization, opportunities to radically optimize cement manufacturing are still abundant and in need of implementation. Therefore, this research developed simulation models and …

Fly Ash Based Geopolymer: Water, Curing Temperature And, Cao Content Effects On Microstructure And Compressive Strength., Lujain Salem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Geopolymer, an emerging alternative to Portland cement-based concrete, relies on alumina and silica-rich precursors like fly ash for its formation. Geopolymerization is a chemical process that creates a three-dimensional polymer network by reacting with an alkaline activator. While fly ash's calcium oxide (CaO) content is crucial in its classification, it behaves differently in geopolymerization, where it competes with hydration. Therefore, a better understanding of the impact of CaO content in fly ash on geopolymerization is needed to effectively utilize fly ash. This study investigates the effects of CaO content, water, and curing temperature on geopolymerization. Using fly ash from a …

Building Services Engineering May/June 2024

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Physical And Stochiometric Controls On Nutrient Uptake And Ecosystem Respiration In Contrasting Sites, Jancoba K. Dorley

Civil Engineering ETDs

Meteorological, hydrological, and biogeochemical processes naturally control stream ecosystems. These processes define the frequency and distribution of precipitation and the supply and demand of solutes and particles to support aquatic food chains through space and time. Studies have also found that stream ecosystems are also controlled by anthropogenic activities, which occur on a much shorter timescale. These anthropogenic activities affect stream ecosystems' structure and function from local to planetary changes to the environment. It is essential for scientists and engineers to understand the relationships between naturally occurring processes and those created by human activities for a better interpretation of stream …

Final Design Of Legion Hall Revitalization In Potter, Nebraska, Madison Brennfoerder

Honors Program: Senior Projects (Public)

This project was conducted to renovate and revitalize the Legion Hall community center in the Village of Potter located in western Nebraska north of the Interstate. The work completed for this project can be separated into five disciplines: Hydrologic & Hydraulic Design, Geotechnical Analysis, Structural Analysis, Environmental Analysis, and Transportation Design. Legion Hall is a historical building within The Village of Potter which was built in 1917. The Village of Potter has recently acquired the rights to the hall and is seeking to revitalize the historical community center to increase tourism in the village.

Comparison Of Properties And Fracture Patterns In Aged And Fresh Cortical Bone, Mckenna Roan

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

Bone is a complex natural material that presents many challenges to researchers interested in characterizing its mechanical properties. There are different techniques, such as drying, embalming, and freezing, to preserve bones for engineering and scientific study. There are advantages and disadvantages to these techniques, and there have been limited studies comparing the effect of preservation techniques on the mechanical and fracture properties. In this research, aged and fresh bovine bone specimens are tested in compression while monitoring acoustic emissions (AE). Three main aspects of testing are investigated: the force-displacement curves, acoustic emission activity, and fracture patterns observed in X-ray computed …

Using Genetic Algorithm And Geographic Information System For Equity-Driven Transportation Planning And Analysis, Emiliano Del Rio Reyes

Open Access Theses & Dissertations

Efforts to address equitable access in public transit planning have gained momentum, spurred by incentives for Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) and State Departments of Transportation (DOTs). However, traditional strategies often fall short of meeting the needs of disadvantaged communities, particularly in underserved areas. This study presents a pioneering methodology leveraging Genetic Algorithms (GA) and Geographic Information Systems (GIS) to optimize bus stop placement, aiming to enhance equitable access in public transit systems. Focusing on Route 16 of Sun Metro in El Paso, Texasâ??a critical feeder route linking the Westside Transit Center to Upper Valley neighborhoodsâ??the research commences with a comprehensive …

Development Of A Model To Predict Maximum Crack Width And Spacing In Reinforced Concrete Beams Under Flexural Stress, Saeed Alghamdi

Theses and Dissertations

Cracking in reinforced concrete structures is unavoidable due to the low tensile strength of concrete. Even though minimizing cracks on exposed concrete surfaces is significantly important from the aesthetics point of view, it is also very important for the durability and overall performance of the structure.

Flexural members must be designed to minimize cracking that may occur during the structure's service life. Even though there has been a lot of experimental work on crack width over the last several decades, a literature review reveals that researchers still can't agree on which variables are most important. Part of the reason for …

Machine Learning Predictive Models For Load Identification Of Railroad Bridges Subjected To Train-Induced Vibration, Md Masnun Rahman

Theses and Dissertations

The U.S. rail network is among the world's largest, safest, and most efficient. However, many its railway bridges, which play an essential role in its connectivity, are over 100 years old, showing signs of structural deterioration exceeding their practical service life. The increased weight and speed of modern trains also pose a risk to these bridges. Traditional load identification and monitoring technologies like Weigh-in-Motion (WIM) systems are rarely used on railway bridges due to their cost and practical limits. This thesis explores a cost-effective approach to utilize vibration sensors on railway bridges to identify and predict train load features (speed …

Numerical Study Of New Tuned Mass Friction Damper For Seismic Protection Of Civil Structures, Syed Muhammad Bilal Haider

Theses and Dissertations

Tuned Mass Friction Dampers (TMFDs) are passive control systems designed to mitigate vibrations in civil structures subjected to extreme lateral forces such as windstorms and earthquakes. The objective of this thesis is to propose a new TMFDs with enhanced energy dissipation capability for seismic protection of multi-story frame buildings. This new TMFD is termed as “Tuned Mass Multi-Sliding Friction Damper” (TMMSFD) consisting of multiple masses connected to the primary structure through linear springs and while sliding relative to each other at multiple sliding surfaces. TMMSFD offers an improved damping mechanism with reduced stick-slip motion effects compared to standard TMFDs which …

Engineering Sustainable Bridge Deck Rehabilitation: Evaluating Mechanical And Electro-Chemical Properties Of Rapid-Set Patching Materials And Their Influence On Repair Durability, James Roberts

All Theses

As the state of the US infrastructure continues to deteriorate over time, a prominent issue especially in the field of reinforced concrete structures has been the ability to properly rehabilitate and extend the design service life of these structures. A majority of our existing reinforced concrete bridges were built in the construction boom during the 60’s, 70’s and 80’s, and were originally designed with a service life of approximately 50 years, thus showing that many structures are close to or have already exceeded their intended service life. Additionally, with a poor history of government infrastructure funding, it is seen to …

Quantifying Hurricane Effects On Housing: Evaluating Damage, Loss, And Shelter Demands Using Historical And Simulated Storm Tracks, Adish Deep Shakya

All Theses

This research introduces an advanced framework which employs parametric wind field models for peak wind speeds, and building fragility curves, loss functions, and demographic data to estimate for estimating housing damage and loss. The uninhabitable units immediate displaced households, short-term and long-term shelter need households are determined. with a particular focus on those eligible for FEMA assistance. The framework's validity is reinforced by a high correlation in the analysis of recent hurricane events between estimated numbers of displaced households and actual FEMA aid recipients, where FEMA aids about 20-60% of the predicted long-term displaced households. A novel application of the …

Analytical And Experimental Studies To Support Codification Of Lightweight Grout For Masonry Design, Cooper Banks

All Theses

Lightweight (LW) aggregates have many potential benefits in masonry construction including minimizing mass, improving thermal performance, and reducing the potential for shrinkage cracking via internal curing. The current masonry design standard, TMS 402/602-22, permits lightweight aggregate in the production of concrete masonry units (CMU), but there has been insufficient testing of masonry assemblies to permit designing with LW grout. Shrestha et al. characterized LW grouts bond to reinforcement, shear strength, tension and shear pullout behavior of anchors and proposed possible reduction factors for design. Hiner characterized the flexural bond strength LW grouted masonry assemblies and proposed possible reduction factors for …

Evaluating The Synergy Of Geocell And Microbial-Induced Calcite Precipitation (Micp) In Enhancing Pavement Base Stability: A Field Study On Us 95, Mabin Dahal

Boise State University Theses and Dissertations

The imperative to develop resilient and sustainable infrastructure is escalating, particularly as urban road networks are subjected to unprecedented stresses. Conventional pavement bases often entail the extensive utilization of quarry materials, which significantly exacerbates environmental degradation and amplifies the energy footprint of construction endeavors. The extraction, transportation, and processing of these quarry materials contribute to deforestation, habitat eradication, and greenhouse gas emissions. Given these environmental and operational hurdles, the quest for innovative, sustainable alternatives in pavement engineering is pressing. One solution is to use the native materials treated with microbial-induced calcite precipitation (MICP) alongside geocell technology back in pavement construction …