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- Title
- Predicting removal efficiency of reverse osmosis membranes with respect to emerging substances of concern using a discriminant function analysis.
- Creator
- Pleitez Herrera, Fernando J., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This paper presents the results of the spike tests performed in the alternative water supply pilot testing program for the City of Pembroke Pines. It establishes the effectiveness of a protocol that can be used to gain further insight on the rejection capacities of RO membranes. An in-depth study of the molecular descriptors affecting rejection by RO membranes is presented and used in the development of a discriminant function analysis. This analysis proved to be an effective way to predict...
Show moreThis paper presents the results of the spike tests performed in the alternative water supply pilot testing program for the City of Pembroke Pines. It establishes the effectiveness of a protocol that can be used to gain further insight on the rejection capacities of RO membranes. An in-depth study of the molecular descriptors affecting rejection by RO membranes is presented and used in the development of a discriminant function analysis. This analysis proved to be an effective way to predict the passage of Emerging Substances of Concern (ESOCs) through RO membrane. Further, a principal component (PC) analysis was performed to determine which factors accounted the largest variation in RO permeability. Additionally, this paper defines the groundwork for a discriminant analysis model that, if further developed, could serve as an important tool to predict the rejection capabilities of RO treatment when handling with ESOCs.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3355869
- Subject Headings
- Membranes (Technology), Water, Purification, Reverse osmosis process, Industrial water supply, Water, Pollution, Chemoinformatics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A mixed integer nonlinear programming model to optimize the use of aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluids.
- Creator
- Ornitz, Scott E., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
A detailed study is proposed for understanding the use of aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluids (ADAF) and optimal use of these fluids in airport operations. A detailed literature review of past and current technologies is conducted and possible opportunities to improve the use of ADAF and relevant recommendations are derived. Mathematical optimization models (e.g. MINLP with binary variables) based on a variety of objectives, which deal with exhaustive sets of system constraints are...
Show moreA detailed study is proposed for understanding the use of aircraft deicing and anti-icing fluids (ADAF) and optimal use of these fluids in airport operations. A detailed literature review of past and current technologies is conducted and possible opportunities to improve the use of ADAF and relevant recommendations are derived. Mathematical optimization models (e.g. MINLP with binary variables) based on a variety of objectives, which deal with exhaustive sets of system constraints are formulated, developed and applied to case studies. One real-life case study area which routinely carries out aircraft deicing is used for testing the mathematical optimization formulations for optimal use of fluids under budgetary and environmental compliance constraints. Based on the recommendations from one of the best optimization model formulations it is hoped that it will be used for a real-time implementation. Results from these formulations show the models to be robust and applicable.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/192987
- Subject Headings
- Deicing chemicals, Testing, Airplanes, Ice prevention, Programming (Mathematics)
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Treatment of landfill leachate via advanced oxidation.
- Creator
- McBarnette, Andrâe., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
A landfill is in a reserved space on land used for the disposal of refuse by utilizing the principles of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest practical area to prevent the creation of nuisances to public health or safety (Andersen et al. 1967). However, because landfills are open to the atmosphere, rainfall can saturate them, resulting in a liquid called leachate. Leachate generated within the landfill contains suspended solids, soluble components of the waste and by-products...
Show moreA landfill is in a reserved space on land used for the disposal of refuse by utilizing the principles of engineering to confine the refuse to the smallest practical area to prevent the creation of nuisances to public health or safety (Andersen et al. 1967). However, because landfills are open to the atmosphere, rainfall can saturate them, resulting in a liquid called leachate. Leachate generated within the landfill contains suspended solids, soluble components of the waste and by-products from the degradation of the waste by various micro-organisms. Treatment of leachate is an emerging area of need. In this manuscript the main purpose is to investigate a laboratory scale batch reactor that is able to detoxify and treat leachate by using an advanced oxidation process (i.e. TiO2). Based on the results obtained from this ground breaking research, it appears that the process investigate has the potential to radically change the way landfill leachate is treated. Scale up may provide direction that can be used to improve the efficiency of the different stages of toxicity of leachate during the entire life of a landfill.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3318665
- Subject Headings
- Sanitary landfills, Leaching, Environmental aspects, Refuse and refuse disposal, Environmental aspects, Integrated solid waste management, Water, Purification, Oxidation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Use of microsimulation to access HCM2010 methodology for oversaturated freeway segments.
- Creator
- Jolovic, Dusan, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2010 methodology for freeway operations contain procedures for calculating traffic performance measures both for undersaturated and oversaturated flow conditions. However, one of the limitations regarding oversaturated freeway weaving segments is that the HCM procedures have not been extensively calibrated based on field observations on U.S. freeways. This study validates the HCM2010 methodology for oversaturated freeway weaving segment by comparing space mean...
Show moreHighway Capacity Manual (HCM) 2010 methodology for freeway operations contain procedures for calculating traffic performance measures both for undersaturated and oversaturated flow conditions. However, one of the limitations regarding oversaturated freeway weaving segments is that the HCM procedures have not been extensively calibrated based on field observations on U.S. freeways. This study validates the HCM2010 methodology for oversaturated freeway weaving segment by comparing space mean speed and density obtained from HCM procedure to those generated by a microsimulation model. A VISSIM model is extensively calibrated and validated based on NGSIM field data for the US 101 Highway. Abundance of the NGSIM data is utilized to calibrate and validate the VISSIM model. Results show that HCM methodology has significant limitations and while in some cases it can reproduce density correctly, the study finds that speeds estimated by the HCM methodology significantly differ from those observed in the field.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3342202
- Subject Headings
- Roads, Design and construction, Traffic engineering, Express highways, Management, Intelligent transportation systems, Design and construction
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Use of hybrid Rice Husk Ash-Fly Ash mixtures as sustainable supplementary materials for concrete in the marine environment.
- Creator
- Arboleda, Diana., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This paper presents the comparison of shrinkage and corrosion characteristics of optimized hybrid Rice Husk Ash (RHA)/Fly Ash (FA)-modified Concrete, with those of normal concrete in the marine environment. Uses of both FA and RHA have numerous environmental benefits. Shrinkage performance was determined by subjecting the mixes to restrained shrinkage testing per ASTM C1581. The time to cracking of the specimens improved an average of 18% with the hybrid mixes. Corrosion testing of reinforced...
Show moreThis paper presents the comparison of shrinkage and corrosion characteristics of optimized hybrid Rice Husk Ash (RHA)/Fly Ash (FA)-modified Concrete, with those of normal concrete in the marine environment. Uses of both FA and RHA have numerous environmental benefits. Shrinkage performance was determined by subjecting the mixes to restrained shrinkage testing per ASTM C1581. The time to cracking of the specimens improved an average of 18% with the hybrid mixes. Corrosion testing of reinforced columns was performed in a simulated tidal cycle Marine Environment. Corrosion potential improved by as much as 35% for the mix with the highest FA/RHA replacement, and corrosion activity as measured with potentiostat equipment improved by an average of 34% . These results indicate a clear performance improvement of the modified concrete that is proportional to the percent replacement of cement.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2138109
- Subject Headings
- Fracture mechanics, Concrete, Additives, Testing, Fly ash, Testing, Concrete, Cracking, Prevention, Industrial minerals, Testing
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Transit signal priority for emergency evacuation: mitigating disaster.
- Creator
- Parr, Scott A., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The goal of this research is to answer a single question. During an urban evacuation, is it advisable for regional planners to allow transit units signal priority in cases where police assisted traffic controls are not an option? Standard practice for emergency evacuation is to place police officers at intersection throughout the evacuation area. However, this is not always an option where environmental factors such as the presence of fire, chemical plume, radioactive fallout (nuclear...
Show moreThe goal of this research is to answer a single question. During an urban evacuation, is it advisable for regional planners to allow transit units signal priority in cases where police assisted traffic controls are not an option? Standard practice for emergency evacuation is to place police officers at intersection throughout the evacuation area. However, this is not always an option where environmental factors such as the presence of fire, chemical plume, radioactive fallout (nuclear contaminated wind and dust) do not permit police presence. Results from a case study conducted on Washington D.C. show that it would take four non-prioritized transit units to accomplish the same task as three prioritized vehicles. Furthermore, allowing transit signal priority during an urban evacuation has little to no effect on evacuation clearance time or evacuee travel time. Moreover, when transit signal priority is restricted to operate only on evacuation routes, evacuee travel and delay time decreases.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1930488
- Subject Headings
- Emergency transportation, Government policy, Emergency management, Evacuation of civilians, Electronic traffic controls
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- An emergency evacuation planning model for special needs populations utilizing public transit systems.
- Creator
- Hess, Linda S., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The need to have evacuation plans in place for readily implementation for special need populations has become evident after catastrophic events such as Hurricane Katrina. For the purpose of this research special need populations will include, but are not limited to, people with physical disabilities, senior citizens, non-English speaking populations, residents and employees without vehicles, and tourists. The main objective of this research is to evaluate different evacuation procedures for...
Show moreThe need to have evacuation plans in place for readily implementation for special need populations has become evident after catastrophic events such as Hurricane Katrina. For the purpose of this research special need populations will include, but are not limited to, people with physical disabilities, senior citizens, non-English speaking populations, residents and employees without vehicles, and tourists. The main objective of this research is to evaluate different evacuation procedures for special need populations from large urban areas utilizing current public transit systems. A microscopic simulation model was constructed to analyze real life scenarios for evacuation methodologies. A linear programming optimization model was developed to find the optimum locations for evacuation bus stops for the case study area. The results from this research were very interesting and can aid evacuation planners in the future.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2182085
- Subject Headings
- Evacuation of civilians, Emergency management, Emergency transportation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- A comparison of non-traditional instersection designs using microscopic simulation.
- Creator
- Chery, Steve, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
In light of the growing traffic demand and the futility of the conventional solutions, many states have been considering alternative intersection designs. Researchers have demonstrated the benefits of several unconventional intersection designs and their implementation at different sites throughout the United States and abroad have delivered significant improvement in traffic compared to the conventional intersections. A signalized and un-signalized roundabout, a Continuous Flow Intersection,...
Show moreIn light of the growing traffic demand and the futility of the conventional solutions, many states have been considering alternative intersection designs. Researchers have demonstrated the benefits of several unconventional intersection designs and their implementation at different sites throughout the United States and abroad have delivered significant improvement in traffic compared to the conventional intersections. A signalized and un-signalized roundabout, a Continuous Flow Intersection, and a Parallel Flow Intersection have been evaluated and compared in this research as viable alternatives to the traditional single intersection. Using micro-simulation platforms, AIMSUN 6.0 and VISSIM 5.10, models of each intersection are evaluated for low, medium, and high entrance volumes. The analysis revealed that the Roundabout performs better at low entering volumes while the Continuous flow yields better results at high volumes.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/1927863
- Subject Headings
- Traffic engineering, Streets, Design, City planning
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Joint probability analysis of precipitation and streamflow extremes.
- Creator
- Lin, Chia-hung., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis focuses on evaluation of joint occurrence of extreme precipitation and streamflow events at several hydrologic structures in South Florida. An analysis of twelve years storm events and their corresponding peak streamflow events during wet and dry season including annual peaks considering two seasons was performed first. Dependence analysis using time series data of precipitation and streamflow was carried out next. The analysis included use of storm events with different temporal...
Show moreThis thesis focuses on evaluation of joint occurrence of extreme precipitation and streamflow events at several hydrologic structures in South Florida. An analysis of twelve years storm events and their corresponding peak streamflow events during wet and dry season including annual peaks considering two seasons was performed first. Dependence analysis using time series data of precipitation and streamflow was carried out next. The analysis included use of storm events with different temporal lags from the time of occurrence of peak streamflow events. Bi-variate joint probability was found to be appropriate to analyze the joint occurrence of events. Evaluation of joint exceedence probabilities under two phases of Atlantic multidecadal oscillation (AMO) influencing south Florida was also evaluated. All methodologies are evaluated for application using observations at several structures in the case study region to provide advances and valuable insights on joint extremes of precipitation and streamflows.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3360954
- Subject Headings
- Climatic changes, Precipitation (Meterology), Streamflow, Environmental aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Short sea shipping cost benefit analysis using mathematical modeling.
- Creator
- Galletebeitia, Alvaro., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
With congestion, environmental Impact, and the price of oil becoming topics that influence businesses and individuals in a daily basis, measures need to be undertaken in order to accommodate the growing demand for freight transportation. By directing many of the trucks travelling along the National Highways Systems to the Marine Highway corridors developed by the U.S. Maritime Administrations, many of the problems can be addressed in the Short and Medium terms. In order to do so, Short Sea...
Show moreWith congestion, environmental Impact, and the price of oil becoming topics that influence businesses and individuals in a daily basis, measures need to be undertaken in order to accommodate the growing demand for freight transportation. By directing many of the trucks travelling along the National Highways Systems to the Marine Highway corridors developed by the U.S. Maritime Administrations, many of the problems can be addressed in the Short and Medium terms. In order to do so, Short Sea Shipping, through the use of Ro/Ro (Roll-on/Roll-off) Vessels, needs to be implemented. Although the environmental and congestion reducing benefits are considerable, the profitability of this transportation mode needs to be considered. A cost benefit analysis can determine the margin of profit, and attract investors and businesses. By developing a mathematical model that accounts the costs associated with transporting trucks along a particular corridor, the competitiveness of Short Sea Shipping can be determined.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3332259
- Subject Headings
- Coastwise shipping, Mathematical models, Shipment of goods, Mathematical models, Freight and freightage, Management, Shipping, Economic aspects
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Stiffness characterization and life cycle analysis of reinforced asphalt pavements using falling weight deflectometer tests.
- Creator
- Lima-Arie, Alex., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The western and northern parts of South Florida have shallow layers of organic and plastic soils under existing roads. These roads often exhibit large amount of cracking and distortion in a short period of time. Traditional repairs are often not practical due to high costs and extended construction time. In an effort to develop rehabilitation strategies that could be strictly applied to the surface layer, a pilot test site was selected along the alignment of SR 15/US 98 in northwest Palm...
Show moreThe western and northern parts of South Florida have shallow layers of organic and plastic soils under existing roads. These roads often exhibit large amount of cracking and distortion in a short period of time. Traditional repairs are often not practical due to high costs and extended construction time. In an effort to develop rehabilitation strategies that could be strictly applied to the surface layer, a pilot test site was selected along the alignment of SR 15/US 98 in northwest Palm Beach County, where severe pavement distresses were observed due to the presence of thick organic layers. PaveTrac MT-1, GlasGrid 8501, PetroGrid 4582, and ARMI were used as promising asphalt reinforcing products in 24 experimental pavement sections, including 8 control sections without any reinforcement. A comprehensive field testing and monitoring program involving FWD, rut and ride quality measurements was conducted at the preconstruction, 6-month post-construction, and 18-month post-construction stages. Due to large variability in the sub-surface conditions, a statistics-based data analysis protocol was developed for performance evaluation and relative comparisons of the test sections and, in turn, reinforcing products. Post construction data from both 6 months and 18 months demonstrated that stiffness of reinforced sections were significantly higher than the control sections. Procedures were developed to identify and statistically quantify the benefits derived from the reinforcements only, so that the relative performance of various products could be monitored over time. Based on the field testing data available to date, a framework was developed in this study for the prediction of pavement life, which is essential for conducting a detailed Life Cycle Analysis
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2976446
- Subject Headings
- Structural analysis (Engineering), Pavements, Asphalt, Performance, Management, Structural stability, Design, Pavements, Live loads, Measurement
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Statistics preserving spatial interpolation methods for missing precipitation data.
- Creator
- El Sharif, Husayn., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Deterministic and stochastic weighting methods are commonly used methods for estimating missing precipitation rain gauge data based on values recorded at neighboring gauges. However, these spatial interpolation methods seldom check for their ability to preserve site and regional statistics. Such statistics and primarily defined by spatial correlations and other site-to-site statistics in a region. Preservation of site and regional statistics represents a means of assessing the validity of...
Show moreDeterministic and stochastic weighting methods are commonly used methods for estimating missing precipitation rain gauge data based on values recorded at neighboring gauges. However, these spatial interpolation methods seldom check for their ability to preserve site and regional statistics. Such statistics and primarily defined by spatial correlations and other site-to-site statistics in a region. Preservation of site and regional statistics represents a means of assessing the validity of missing precipitation estimates at a site. This study evaluates the efficacy of traditional interpolation methods for estimation of missing data in preserving site and regional statistics. New optimal spatial interpolation methods intended to preserve these statistics are also proposed and evaluated in this study. Rain gauge sites in the state of Kentucky are used as a case study, and several error and performance measures are used to evaluate the trade-offs in accuracy of estimation and preservation of site and regional statistics.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3355568
- Subject Headings
- Numerical analysis, Meteorology, Statistical methods, Spatial analysis (Statistics), Data processing, Atmospheric physics, Statistical methods, Geographic information systems, Mathematical models
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Stress distribution around a transverse circular opening through the midspan of a double reinforced beam.
- Creator
- Anesta, Heather R., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This manuscript predicts the behavior of a doubly reinforced concrete beam with a circular opening at its midspan by closely analyzing traditional beam theory and design. It then confirms these predictions with finite element modeling software while providing design suggestions. The analysis is limited to the tensile and compressive stresses and cracking behavior. The objectives are to determine the stress distribution around a circular opening that agrees with conventional beam theory. The...
Show moreThis manuscript predicts the behavior of a doubly reinforced concrete beam with a circular opening at its midspan by closely analyzing traditional beam theory and design. It then confirms these predictions with finite element modeling software while providing design suggestions. The analysis is limited to the tensile and compressive stresses and cracking behavior. The objectives are to determine the stress distribution around a circular opening that agrees with conventional beam theory. The beam behavior is examined from zero load to failure load. ANSYS is utilized in lieu of real world testing, and the appendix includes the finite element results for a beam including design recommendations. The results lay the foundation for a possible new design procedure of concrete beams with single or multiple circular openings. This research offers useful information that was unavailable previously. More research can be conducted to help designers to design lighter, more efficient concrete beams.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/2867327
- Subject Headings
- Reinforced concrete construction, Structural design, Strains and stresses, Fracture mechanics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Reliability-based fatigue design of marine current turbine rotor blades.
- Creator
- Hurley, Shaun., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The study presents a reliability-based fatigue life prediction model for the ocean current turbine rotor blades. The numerically simulated bending moment ranges based on the measured current velocities off the Southeast coast line of Florida over a one month period are used to reflect the short-term distribution of the bending moment ranges for an idealized marine current turbine rotor blade. The 2-parameter Weibull distribution is used to fit the short-term distribution and then used to...
Show moreThe study presents a reliability-based fatigue life prediction model for the ocean current turbine rotor blades. The numerically simulated bending moment ranges based on the measured current velocities off the Southeast coast line of Florida over a one month period are used to reflect the short-term distribution of the bending moment ranges for an idealized marine current turbine rotor blade. The 2-parameter Weibull distribution is used to fit the short-term distribution and then used to obtain the long-term distribution over the design life. The long-term distribution is then used to determine the number of cycles for any given bending moment range. The published laboratory test data in the form of an ε-N curve is used in conjunction with the long-term distribution of the bending moment ranges in the prediction of the fatigue failure of the rotor blade using Miner's rule. The first-order reliability method is used in order to determine the reliability index for a given section modulus over a given design life. The results of reliability analysis are then used to calibrate the partial safety factors for load and resistance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3183123
- Subject Headings
- Turbines, Blades, Materials, Fatigue, Marine turbines, Mathematical models, Composite materials, Mathematical models, Structural dynamics
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Optimal operation of hydro power systems under a fuzzy multi-objective decision making environment.
- Creator
- Ferreira, Andrâe Rodrigues., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Management of water resources has become more complex in recent years as a result of changing attitudes towards sustainability and the attribution of greater attention to environmental issues, especially under a scenario of water scarcity risk introduced by climate changes and anthropogenic pressures. This thesis addresses the conflicts in optimizing multi-purpose hydropower operations under an environment where objectives are often conflicting and uncertain. Mathematical programming...
Show moreManagement of water resources has become more complex in recent years as a result of changing attitudes towards sustainability and the attribution of greater attention to environmental issues, especially under a scenario of water scarcity risk introduced by climate changes and anthropogenic pressures. This thesis addresses the conflicts in optimizing multi-purpose hydropower operations under an environment where objectives are often conflicting and uncertain. Mathematical programming formulations can be used to achieve flexible, feasible and optimal operation and planning solutions to satisfy expectations of multiple stake-holders, including regulatory environmental compliance and sustainability. Innovative optimization models using MINLP with binary variables, fuzzy set theory, partial constraint satisfaction and multi-objective formulations incorporating unit commitment problem and adaptive real-time operations are developed and applied to a real life case study. These methodologies provide advances and valuable insights on optimal operations of hydropower systems under uncertain decision making environments.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/368616
- Subject Headings
- Water resources development, Environmental aspects, Water conservation, Management, Integrated water development, Decision making, Mathematical models
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Optimization of bus system characteristics in urban areas under normal and emergency conditions.
- Creator
- Psarros, Ionannis, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Catastrophic events in the past revealed the need for more research in the field of emergency evacuation. During such a procedure, different problems such as congestion at the related traffic networks because of the large number of the evacuating vehicles can occur. Current best practices, in order to deal with such problems, suggest the further involvement of buses in evacuation operations. On the first part of this study after the accurate development of the related simulation model, the...
Show moreCatastrophic events in the past revealed the need for more research in the field of emergency evacuation. During such a procedure, different problems such as congestion at the related traffic networks because of the large number of the evacuating vehicles can occur. Current best practices, in order to deal with such problems, suggest the further involvement of buses in evacuation operations. On the first part of this study after the accurate development of the related simulation model, the optimization of a selected bus system characteristics focusing on the vehicle routing parameter will follow through the development and the application of a non-linear cost minimization problem. On the second part, the potential use of the regular-everyday bus routes in a no-notice emergency evacuation in order to save time comparing to the time needed so as to assign the actual evacuation routes to the evacuation bus vehicles will be analyzed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3352285
- Subject Headings
- Transportation planning, Mathematical models, Local transit, Analysis, Emergency management, Evacuation of civilians
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Optimization of TiO2 photocatalyst in an advanced oxidation process for the treatment of landfill leachate.
- Creator
- Youngman, Frank., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
Since the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) began requiring landfills to implement a leachate collection system in 1991, the proper disposal of leachate has become a growing concern. The potential toxicity of landfill leachate will contaminate groundwater and soil if not managed properly. Research has been made in efforts to manage leachate in a cost-effective, single treatment process. Photocatalytic oxidation is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) which has shown ability...
Show moreSince the United States Environmental Protection Agency (USEPA) began requiring landfills to implement a leachate collection system in 1991, the proper disposal of leachate has become a growing concern. The potential toxicity of landfill leachate will contaminate groundwater and soil if not managed properly. Research has been made in efforts to manage leachate in a cost-effective, single treatment process. Photocatalytic oxidation is an advanced oxidation process (AOP) which has shown ability to reduce toxicity of an array of leachate constituents including organics, inorganics and heavy metals. The purpose of this manuscript is to scale up the batch scale study of TiO2 photocatalytic degradation of leachate utilizing a pilot scale falling film reactor. In this research project, the use of UV/TiO2 for the removal of chemical oxygen demand (COD), ammonia, alkalinity and color will be studied in order to optimize catalyst dosage, determine pH effects and reaction kinetics and develop preliminary cost estimates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/fcla/dt/3361260
- Subject Headings
- Sanitary landfills, Leaching, Environmental aspects, Refuse and refuse disposal, Environmental aspects, Integrated solid waste management, Leachate, Purification, Hazardous wastes, Biodegradation
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Optimization and inductive models for continuous estimation of hydrologic variables.
- Creator
- Brown, Ricardo Eric., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
This thesis develops methodologies for continuous estimation of hydrological variables which infill missing daily rainfall data and the forecast of weekly streamflows from a watershed. Several mathematical programming formulations were developed and used to estimate missing historical rainfall data. Functional relationships were created between radar precipitation and known rain gauge data then are used to estimate the missing data. Streamflow predictions models require highly non-linear...
Show moreThis thesis develops methodologies for continuous estimation of hydrological variables which infill missing daily rainfall data and the forecast of weekly streamflows from a watershed. Several mathematical programming formulations were developed and used to estimate missing historical rainfall data. Functional relationships were created between radar precipitation and known rain gauge data then are used to estimate the missing data. Streamflow predictions models require highly non-linear mathematical models to capture the complex physical characteristics of a watershed. An artificial neural network model was developed for streamflow prediction. There are no set methods of creating a neural network and the selection of architecture and inputs to a neural network affects the performance. This thesis addresses this issue with automated input and network architecture selection through optimization. MATLABª scripts are developed and used to test many combinations and select a model through optimization.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3342036
- Subject Headings
- Hydorlogic models, Mathematics, Fuzzy logic, Spatial analysis (Statistics), Stream measurements
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Operational and environmental comparisons between left-turn bypass, diverging flow and displaced left-turn intersection designs.
- Creator
- Olarte, Claudia, College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The rapidly and significantly growth of the population in the United States has caused expansion of the urban areas to accommodate more residential facilities.. Thus, the demand for more efficient intersection designs is a high priority, as wasted fuel and travel time increases each year. A new method to solve the congestion issue is the creation of unconventional arterial intersection designs (UAID). The objective of this study is to compare the operational and environmental performance of...
Show moreThe rapidly and significantly growth of the population in the United States has caused expansion of the urban areas to accommodate more residential facilities.. Thus, the demand for more efficient intersection designs is a high priority, as wasted fuel and travel time increases each year. A new method to solve the congestion issue is the creation of unconventional arterial intersection designs (UAID). The objective of this study is to compare the operational and environmental performance of three UAIDs called Left-turn Bypass, Diverging Flow, and Displaced Left-turn intersections. This study will evaluate the UAIDs in the isolated manner and then compare the intersections in a network using an existing corridor in the state of Florida. The microscopic simulation platform VISSIM v. 5.10 will be used to test different scenarios. The results indicated that the Displaced Left-turn consistently reports better results for average delay of less than 20 seconds per vehicle.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3172428
- Subject Headings
- Traffic engineering, Streets, Design, Traffic signs and signals, Roads, Interchanges and intersections
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Hybrid model for optimization of cost operations for a university transit service.
- Creator
- Portal Palomo, Alicia Benazir., College of Engineering and Computer Science, Department of Civil, Environmental and Geomatics Engineering
- Abstract/Description
-
The demand on transportation infrastructure is dramatically increasing due to population growth causing the transportation systems to be pushed to their limits. With the projected population growth, not only for the U.S. but especially for the higher education field, university campuses are of great importance for transportation engineers. Urban univeristy campuses are considered major trip generators and with the population forecast many challenges are bound to arise. The implementation of...
Show moreThe demand on transportation infrastructure is dramatically increasing due to population growth causing the transportation systems to be pushed to their limits. With the projected population growth, not only for the U.S. but especially for the higher education field, university campuses are of great importance for transportation engineers. Urban univeristy campuses are considered major trip generators and with the population forecast many challenges are bound to arise. The implementation of an improved transit system provides a lower-cost solution to the continuously increasing congestion problems in university campus road networks and surrounding areas. This paper presents a methodology focused on the development of a hybrid system concentrated in three main aspects of transit functionality : access to bus stop location, reasonable travel time and low cost. Two methods for bus stop locations assessment are presented for two levels of analysis : microscopic and mesoscopic. The resulting travel time from the improved bus stop locations is analyzed and compared to the initial conditions by using a microsimulation platform. The development of a mathematical model targets the overall system's cost minimization, including user and operator cost, while maximizing the service coverage. The results demonstrate the benefits of the bus stop assessment by the two applied methods, as well as, the benefits of the route and headway selection based on the mathematical model. Moreover, the results indicate that the generation of routes using travel time as the impedance factor generates the optimal possible routes to obtain the minimum system's overall cost.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012
- PURL
- http://purl.flvc.org/FAU/3352277
- Subject Headings
- Local transit, Statistics, Transportation planning, Mathematical models, System analysis, Statistical methods, Transportation, Data processing
- Format
- Document (PDF)