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- Title
- A low-cost approach for rapidly creating demonstration models for hands-on learning.
- Creator
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O'Neill, Robert, Kinzli, Kristoph-Dietrich, Kunberger, Tanya, Badir, Asraf
- Abstract / Description
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Demonstration models allow students to readily grasp theory and relate difficult concepts and equations to real life. However drawbacks of using these demonstration models are that they are can be costly to purchase from vendors or take a significant amount of time to build. These two limiting factors can pose a significant obstacle for adding demonstrations to the curriculum. This article presents an assignment to overcome these obstacles, which has resulted in 36 demonstration models being...
Show moreDemonstration models allow students to readily grasp theory and relate difficult concepts and equations to real life. However drawbacks of using these demonstration models are that they are can be costly to purchase from vendors or take a significant amount of time to build. These two limiting factors can pose a significant obstacle for adding demonstrations to the curriculum. This article presents an assignment to overcome these obstacles, which has resulted in 36 demonstration models being added to the curriculum. The article also presents the results of student performance on course objectives as a result of the developed models being used in the classroom. Overall, significant improvement in student learning outcomes, due to the addition of demonstration models, has been observed.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017-04-10
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000605
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Visualization of road geometries based on CADD design standards.
- Creator
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Villiers, Claude, Yan, Xuedong, Guo, Dahai, Zalewski, Janusz
- Abstract / Description
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This research introduces a software solution to enable roadway designers to visualize their roads with minimum manual work. Roads appear as lines and arcs in roadway design software. Their visualization with colors can help achieve better natural understanding of road geometries. However, road visualization is such a time-consuming process that it has not been conducted on the regular basis in the practice of roadway design. The software solution described in this article can automatically...
Show moreThis research introduces a software solution to enable roadway designers to visualize their roads with minimum manual work. Roads appear as lines and arcs in roadway design software. Their visualization with colors can help achieve better natural understanding of road geometries. However, road visualization is such a time-consuming process that it has not been conducted on the regular basis in the practice of roadway design. The software solution described in this article can automatically visualize roadway designs, based on Computer Aided Design and Drafting (CADD) design standards.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010-04-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000574
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- A Clustered, Decentralized Approach to Urban Water Management.
- Creator
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Tsegaye, Seneshaw, Missimer, Thomas, Kim, Jong-Yeop, Hock, Jason
- Abstract / Description
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Current models in design of urban water management systems and their corresponding infrastructure using centralized designs have commonly failed from the perspective of cost effectiveness and inability to adapt to the future changes. These challenges are driving cities towards using decentralized systems. While there is great consensus on the benefits of decentralization; currently no methods exist which guide decision-makers to define the optimal boundaries of decentralized water systems. A...
Show moreCurrent models in design of urban water management systems and their corresponding infrastructure using centralized designs have commonly failed from the perspective of cost effectiveness and inability to adapt to the future changes. These challenges are driving cities towards using decentralized systems. While there is great consensus on the benefits of decentralization; currently no methods exist which guide decision-makers to define the optimal boundaries of decentralized water systems. A new clustering methodology and tool to decentralize water supply systems (WSS) into small and adaptable units is presented. The tool includes two major components: (i) minimization of the distance from source to consumer by assigning demand to the closest water source, and (ii) maximization of the intra-cluster homogeneity by defining the cluster boundaries such that the variation in population density, land use, socio-economic level, and topography within the cluster is minimized. The methodology and tool were applied to Arua Town in Uganda. Four random cluster scenarios and a centralized system were created and compared with the optimal clustered WSS. It was observed that the operational cost of the four cluster scenarios is up to 13.9 % higher than the optimal, and the centralized system is 26.6% higher than the optimal clustered WSS, consequently verifying the efficacy of the proposed method to determine an optimal cluster boundary for WSS. In addition, optimal homogeneous clusters improve efficiency by encouraging reuse of wastewater and stormwater within a cluster and by minimizing leakage through reduced pressure variations.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2020-01-09
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_001015
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Evolution of Heterogeneous Mixed Siliciclastic/Carbonate Aquifers Containing Metastable Sediments.
- Creator
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Franco, Daniel, Coulibaly, Kapo, Kunberger, Tanya, Kinzli, Kristoph-Dietrich, Arbelaez, Sebastian, Missimer, Thomas M.
- Abstract / Description
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Mixed carbonate and siliciclastic marine sediments commonly become freshwater aquifers in eastern coastal regions of the United States and many other global locations. As these deposits age, the carbonate fraction of the sediment is commonly removed by dissolution and the aquifer can become a solely siliciclastic system or contain zones or beds of pure quartz sand. During aquifer evolution, the sediment grain size characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity change. An investigation...
Show moreMixed carbonate and siliciclastic marine sediments commonly become freshwater aquifers in eastern coastal regions of the United States and many other global locations. As these deposits age, the carbonate fraction of the sediment is commonly removed by dissolution and the aquifer can become a solely siliciclastic system or contain zones or beds of pure quartz sand. During aquifer evolution, the sediment grain size characteristics, hydraulic conductivity, and porosity change. An investigation of these changes using mixed carbonate/siliciclastic sediment samples collected from a modern barrier island beach in southern Florida showed that the average mean grain diameter decreased with removal of the carbonate fraction, but the average hydraulic conductivity and porosity increased slightly, but not to statistical significance. This counterintuitive result occurs because of the change in the pore types from a combined shelter and intergranular pore system producing a dual porosity system in the mixed sediments to a single intergranular pore system in the siliciclastic sediment fraction. Within the mixed carbonate/siliciclastic sediment, in the pure carbonate fraction, large shell fractions form grain‐supported large pores, which become filled with sand‐sized quartz as the shell fragments decrease in size or as the sediment becomes compacted. The hydraulic conductivity increases because the shell fragments that were oriented perpendicular to flow caused an increase in the length of the flow path, or a larger scale tortuosity, compared with the flow through pure quartz sand.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017-05-10
- Identifier
- 10.1111/gwat.12529, fgcu_ir_001005, http://doi.wiley.com/10.1111/gwat.12529
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Functional performance differences between the Genium and C-Leg prosthetic knees and intact knees.
- Creator
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Lura, Derek, Highsmith, Jason M., Kahle, Jason T., Miro, Rebecca M., Cress, Elaine M., Quillen, William S., Carey, Stephanie L., Dubey, Rajiv V., Mengelkoch, Larry J.
- Abstract / Description
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Microprocessor prosthetic knees (MPKs) have advanced technologically, offering new features to decrease impairment and activity limitations for persons with transfemoral amputation (TFA). The Genium knee is functionally untested, and functional differences between it and intact knees are unknown. This study sought to determine whether Genium use improves functional performance compared with the C-Leg. A randomized experimental crossover design was used, with a cross-section of five nonamputee...
Show moreMicroprocessor prosthetic knees (MPKs) have advanced technologically, offering new features to decrease impairment and activity limitations for persons with transfemoral amputation (TFA). The Genium knee is functionally untested, and functional differences between it and intact knees are unknown. This study sought to determine whether Genium use improves functional performance compared with the C-Leg. A randomized experimental crossover design was used, with a cross-section of five nonamputee controls for comparison to normal. Twenty community-ambulating persons with TFA were trained and tested for accommodation with study components. All subjects (n = 25) were assessed using the Continuous-Scale Physical Functional Performance-10 (CS-PFP10) assessment. Subjects with TFA used both MPK systems. Genium use improved upper-body flexibility, balance, and endurance domain scores (7.0%–8.4%, p = 0.05) compared with the C-Leg. Only in the endurance domain did Genium users score significantly lower than nonamputees (22.4%, p = 0.05). Comparing the C-Leg with nonamputees, CS-PFP10 total (2.0%–24.4%, p = 0.03) and all domains except upper-body strength were lower than nonamputees (–13.4% to –28.9%, p = 0.05). Nonetheless, regardless of knee condition, subjects with TFAs did not equal or surpass nonamputees in any functional domain, suggesting room for improvements in TFA functional performance.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2016-01-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000374
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Measuring Groundwater and contaminant Flux: passive Flux Meter Field Applications and Issues with Alcohol Degradability.
- Creator
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Bondehagen, Diane
- Abstract / Description
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The passive flux meter (PFM) developed at the University of Florida is an innovative device that is inserted into a well in order to measure groundwater and contaminant flux. The in-situ device consists of an activated carbon matrix impregnated with known amounts of alcohols that are desorbed at rates proportional to the groundwater flux through the device. After exposure the sorbent is extracted to quantify the contaminant mass intercepted and the resident alcohol mass remaining. Since the...
Show moreThe passive flux meter (PFM) developed at the University of Florida is an innovative device that is inserted into a well in order to measure groundwater and contaminant flux. The in-situ device consists of an activated carbon matrix impregnated with known amounts of alcohols that are desorbed at rates proportional to the groundwater flux through the device. After exposure the sorbent is extracted to quantify the contaminant mass intercepted and the resident alcohol mass remaining. Since the alcohols employed in bioactive sites are degradable, studies were conducted to investigate biodegradation issues and microbial acclimation times in eld application. Also, silver-impregnated activated carbon was compared to unamended activated carbon in batch and column studies to determine silver ion effects on degradation. The studies confirm degradation and microbial acclimation occurrence, and demonstrate that silver impregnated activated carbon does inhibit degradation. Issues remain with biofilm/biofouling observed in the field as well as column studies.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000037
- Format
- Document (PDF)
- Title
- Relationship between building floor and construction labor productivity: A case of structural work.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Nguyen, Hung T.
- Abstract / Description
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The purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between building floor and labor productivity of the structural work including formwork installation and rebar fabrication/installation. Design/methodology/approach - The case study methodology and learning curve theory are adopted for the paper. Records from the structural work of a 20-storey apartment building were analyzed to calculate floor-based labor productivities. Findings - Labor productivity of the formwork activity increased...
Show moreThe purpose of this paper is to examine the relationship between building floor and labor productivity of the structural work including formwork installation and rebar fabrication/installation. Design/methodology/approach - The case study methodology and learning curve theory are adopted for the paper. Records from the structural work of a 20-storey apartment building were analyzed to calculate floor-based labor productivities. Findings - Labor productivity of the formwork activity increased more than twice in the first five floors. If the first cycle (floor 2) is omitted, the straight-line learning curve model shows a learning rate of 83.5 percent. Labor productivity of the rebar activity tended to increase in the first 15 floors. If the first two cycles are omitted, the straight-line learning curve model indicates a learning rate of 83.6 percent. Research limitations/implications - Future research is needed to examine and quantify factors that affect the level of learning in high-rise building construction. The relationship between building floor and labor productivity should be further investigated for other construction activities. Practical implications - Practitioners should consider the relationship between building floor and labor productivity and learning effects when planning manpower and construction duration for individual activities and for a building. Originality/value - The paper substantiates the hypothesis that labor productivity does not reach 100 percent of the normal level at the very first floors while they do not support the hypothesis that labor productivity does not reach 100 percent at the top floors.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2013-01-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000562
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Case Law and Variations in Cumulative Impact Productivity Claims.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Ibbs, William
- Abstract / Description
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Proving and quantifying lost productivity due to cumulative impacts of multiple changes are difficult tasks. This paper presents the most acceptable methods from case law and demonstrates their applications for analyzing the loss of productivity. These methods include earned value analysis, measured mile analysis, and combinations of these two. They are either well established or drawn from recent court and board decisions. A case study is used to illustrate and compare the use of these...
Show moreProving and quantifying lost productivity due to cumulative impacts of multiple changes are difficult tasks. This paper presents the most acceptable methods from case law and demonstrates their applications for analyzing the loss of productivity. These methods include earned value analysis, measured mile analysis, and combinations of these two. They are either well established or drawn from recent court and board decisions. A case study is used to illustrate and compare the use of these methods. These methods result in considerably different loss of productivity values though the actual amount (i.e., inefficiency in labor hours) is unique for a particular case and though these methods are often thought to be similar or even the same. How a measured mile analysis and its variants are employed affects the amount of lost productivity estimated. The variants can avoid some drawbacks of measured mile and earned value studies. Nevertheless, which method is more accurate and reliable is difficult to provide for a particular claim. Practitioners should choose between them based on the availability of project records and the nature of changes and cumulative impacts. Practitioners may also employ two or more methods to perform a “sensitivity analysis” of the chosen methods and persuade the other party and/or the jury that their estimate of lost productivity is sufficiently certain.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010-08-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000567
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Analysis of Adverse Weather for Excusable Delays.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Kneppers, Jax, García de Soto, Borja, Ibbs, William
- Abstract / Description
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Severe weather conditions can be disruptive to construction. Contractors typically obtain time extensions for weather days beyond normal conditions. However, contracting parties often dispute the extent of weather-related time extensions. Typical industry contracts may overlook many important points that can provide an acceptable resolution. This paper classifies seven factors causing discrepancies in analysis of adverse weather for time extensions; namely, the definition of normal weather,...
Show moreSevere weather conditions can be disruptive to construction. Contractors typically obtain time extensions for weather days beyond normal conditions. However, contracting parties often dispute the extent of weather-related time extensions. Typical industry contracts may overlook many important points that can provide an acceptable resolution. This paper classifies seven factors causing discrepancies in analysis of adverse weather for time extensions; namely, the definition of normal weather, weather thresholds, type of work, lingering days, criteria for lost days, lost days equivalent due to lost productivity, and work days lost versus calendar days lost. An analysis of an actual weather-caused delay claim illustrates the impacts of those factors on the outcomes of the analysis. A contract should define anticipated weather delay days and their lingering days and provide threshold values for weather parameters to differentiate between predictable and unpredictable severe weather. The contract should clearly define how a time extension is granted in calendar days as a result of work days lost, and also address how a time extension is granted due to inefficiency caused by unusually severe weather. Future research may provide an appropriate mechanism for analyzing equivalent lost days to account for lost productivity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010-12-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000566
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Quantifying the complexity of transportation projects using the fuzzy analytic hierarchy process.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Nguyen, An T., Le-Hoai, Long, Dang, Chau N.
- Abstract / Description
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Transportation projects are increasingly complex. A systematic approach for measuring and evaluating complexity in transportation projects is imperative. Thirty six project complexity factors were identified specifically for transportation construction. Using factor analysis, this study deduced the six components of project complexity, namely sociopolitical, environmental, organizational, infrastructural, technological, and scope complexity. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP)...
Show moreTransportation projects are increasingly complex. A systematic approach for measuring and evaluating complexity in transportation projects is imperative. Thirty six project complexity factors were identified specifically for transportation construction. Using factor analysis, this study deduced the six components of project complexity, namely sociopolitical, environmental, organizational, infrastructural, technological, and scope complexity. The Fuzzy Analytic Hierarchy Process (Fuzzy AHP) method was employed to determine the weights of the components and parameters of project complexity. Sociopolitical complexity was the most defining component of complexity in transportation construction. A complexity level (CL) was proposed to measure the overall project complexity. The application of the proposed approach was demonstrated in a case study of three transportation projects performed by a heavy construction company. As a quantitative measure CL enables managers to better anticipate potential difficulties in complex transportation projects. As a result, scarce resources will be allocated efficiently among transportation projects in a company’s portfolio.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2015-02-28
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000561
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Alternative for Quantifying Field-Overhead Damages.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Ibbs, William
- Abstract / Description
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The context of delays significantly affects delay responsibility. Among other things, recoverable damages for a delay should be related to the timing of the corresponding delay and its effect on indirect costs. This paper presents an alternative and integrated approach for quantifying and apportioning delay responsibility. It considers the context of a delay in terms of its timing and the degree of suspension during the course of a project. The proposed approach allocates project-site...
Show moreThe context of delays significantly affects delay responsibility. Among other things, recoverable damages for a delay should be related to the timing of the corresponding delay and its effect on indirect costs. This paper presents an alternative and integrated approach for quantifying and apportioning delay responsibility. It considers the context of a delay in terms of its timing and the degree of suspension during the course of a project. The proposed approach allocates project-site overhead costs onto schedule activities. It then helps track site overhead damages in a “real-time” manner while schedule-window analysis is employed to analyze the delay. A case study is used to illustrate its application. Results infer that the conventional daily overhead rate-based method can cause double payments because conventional recovery possibly covers parts of field overhead already paid from the original contract. This new approach also enables the application of the comparative negligence doctrine when concurrent delays occur by fairly sharing delay damages between the project parties. Practitioners can employ the proposed approach for reasonably quantifying and apportioning delay damages while researchers may further explore its applications in the industry.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007-10-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000568
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- A study on project success factors in large construction projects in Vietnam.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Ogunlana, Stephen O., Lan, Do Thi Xuan
- Abstract / Description
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Large construction projects are inherently complex and dynamic. A comprehensive answer on how to manage such projects successfully is difficult to provide. This paper expounds on the success factors for large construction projects in Vietnam. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from practitioners. Factor analysis was employed to categorize these success factors perceived by 109 respondents from 42 construction-related organizations. Factor analysis uncovered that these success...
Show moreLarge construction projects are inherently complex and dynamic. A comprehensive answer on how to manage such projects successfully is difficult to provide. This paper expounds on the success factors for large construction projects in Vietnam. A survey questionnaire was used to collect data from practitioners. Factor analysis was employed to categorize these success factors perceived by 109 respondents from 42 construction-related organizations. Factor analysis uncovered that these success factors can be grouped under four categories, here titled the four COMs: comfort, competence, commitment, and communication. The result can be used as a guideline to successfully handle construction projects in Vietnam as well as in other countries, especially in the emerging economies in Asia and the rest of the world.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2004-01-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000563
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Concurrent Delays and Apportionment of Damages.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Ibbs, William, Simonian, Lonny
- Abstract / Description
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This paper focuses on the subject of concurrent delay from a general contractor (GC)-subcontractor perspective. When there is a concurrent delay by multiple subcontractors, or between the GC and other subcontractor(s), there has not been a uniform approach as to how the liquidated damages are apportioned. Previous research seems to ignore this issue. This paper first reviews some relevant court cases. Using a warehouse project as a case study, it then examines different practices that the GC...
Show moreThis paper focuses on the subject of concurrent delay from a general contractor (GC)-subcontractor perspective. When there is a concurrent delay by multiple subcontractors, or between the GC and other subcontractor(s), there has not been a uniform approach as to how the liquidated damages are apportioned. Previous research seems to ignore this issue. This paper first reviews some relevant court cases. Using a warehouse project as a case study, it then examines different practices that the GC could take in apportioning damages of concurrent delays to both himself/herself as well as to the responsible subcontractors. Results are very inconsistent between and within the apportionment practices. This supports an alternative hypothesis that apportionment is an important issue. Practitioners should specify which apportionment practice will be used and under what circumstances it will be applied in their subcontracts. Researchers may develop a more consistent and reliable approach for this type of apportionment.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2011-02-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000565
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Examination of communication processes in design-build project delivery in building construction.
- Creator
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Nguyen, Long, Tran, Dai Q., Faught, Allen
- Abstract / Description
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The construction industry has currently used numerous methods to deliver their projects, including traditional design-bid-build (D-B-B), design-build (D-B), construction management at risk, integrated project delivery, partnering, alliancing, etc. Each project delivery method has its own strengths and weaknesses and there is no single delivery method appropriate for every project. For a specific project, decision makers need to examine the project goals and objectives and other relevant...
Show moreThe construction industry has currently used numerous methods to deliver their projects, including traditional design-bid-build (D-B-B), design-build (D-B), construction management at risk, integrated project delivery, partnering, alliancing, etc. Each project delivery method has its own strengths and weaknesses and there is no single delivery method appropriate for every project. For a specific project, decision makers need to examine the project goals and objectives and other relevant factors to determine how they align with the attributes of each available delivery method. Due to many documented advantages of D-B projects (e.g. shortened project duration, early certainty of project cost, and increased innovation), the D-B project delivery method continues to grow as a viable delivery method in the construction market
Show less - Date Issued
- 2017-02-04
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000560
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Buckling behavior of a graphite/epoxy composite plate under parabolic variation of axial loads.
- Creator
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Badir, Asraf, Hu, Hurang, Abatan, Ayo
- Abstract / Description
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This paper investigates the buckling behavior of a symmetrically laminated composite rectangular plate composed of AS4 graphite fibers and 3501-6 epoxy resin under parabolic variation of axial loads. The plate is assumed to be general anisotropy and symmetric about its mid-plane. Two loading conditions are considered. They are (a) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate longitudinal direction, and (b) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate...
Show moreThis paper investigates the buckling behavior of a symmetrically laminated composite rectangular plate composed of AS4 graphite fibers and 3501-6 epoxy resin under parabolic variation of axial loads. The plate is assumed to be general anisotropy and symmetric about its mid-plane. Two loading conditions are considered. They are (a) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate longitudinal direction, and (b) an axial load that varies parabolically with respect to the plate transverse direction. Analytical solutions of buckling load and mode shape are obtained based on classical laminated plate theory and the Rayleigh–Ritz method. The influences of plate aspect ratio and fiber orientations have been investigated. Some numerical results from the present study are compared with published results and good agreement is found.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2003-06-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000608
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Column Analogy in Multi-Cell Structures with Fixed Columns.
- Creator
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Badir, Asraf, Badir, M.
- Abstract / Description
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A procedure is presented for the analysis of multi-cell structures such as multi-span and mul-ti-storey frames by use of the method of column analogy, normally applicable to analysis of single-span and closed frames. The multi-cell structure is first divided into a number of cells each of which can be readily ana-lyzed by column analogy for the applied external loads. A number of simultaneous equations are then written to restore continuity of the isolated cells. Certain moment-coefficients...
Show moreA procedure is presented for the analysis of multi-cell structures such as multi-span and mul-ti-storey frames by use of the method of column analogy, normally applicable to analysis of single-span and closed frames. The multi-cell structure is first divided into a number of cells each of which can be readily ana-lyzed by column analogy for the applied external loads. A number of simultaneous equations are then written to restore continuity of the isolated cells. Certain moment-coefficients are computed also by column analogy, and used in writing the continuity equations. Solution of these equations yields moment corrections which are superimposed to the moments of the isolated cells to arrive at the final bending moments of the multi-cell structure. The procedure is presented for the analysis of frames with fixed columns, and is applied for the analysis of three examples in order to illustrate the details of the solution. Results obtained are in excellent agreement with values calculated using the stiffness method.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2012-01-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000606
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Seismic Vulnerability Evaluation of Architectural Glassin Curtain Walls.
- Creator
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Behr, Richard, Memari, Ali M., Shirazi, Ali, Kremer, Paul A.
- Abstract / Description
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A method for seismic vulnerability evaluation of architectural glass components within aluminum curtain wall systems is proposed. The methodology involves developing a relationship between the applied drift and the critical stresses generated in the glass and comparison with glass crack initiation stress obtained from test data. On the basis of this method, the existing curtain wall glass components or windows can be inspected, and based on the conditions of the curtain wall and the code...
Show moreA method for seismic vulnerability evaluation of architectural glass components within aluminum curtain wall systems is proposed. The methodology involves developing a relationship between the applied drift and the critical stresses generated in the glass and comparison with glass crack initiation stress obtained from test data. On the basis of this method, the existing curtain wall glass components or windows can be inspected, and based on the conditions of the curtain wall and the code specified maximum allowable drift, a score can be defined, which will represent cracking vulnerability of the glass panel at a given drift magnitude. The results of the vulnerability evaluation procedure can help improve decision making regarding prioritization of possible curtain wall seismic retrofit options.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2014-08-25
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_000333
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- A new framework for approaching precision bioremediation of PAH contaminated soils.
- Creator
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Redfern, Lauren, Gardner, Courtney M., Hodzic, Emina, Ferguson, P. Lee, Hsu-Kim, Helen, Gunsch, Claudia K.
- Abstract / Description
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Bioremediation is a sustainable treatment strategy which remains challenging to implement especially in heterogeneous environments such as soil and sediment. Herein, we present a novel precision bioremediation framework that integrates amplicon based metagenomic analysis and chemical profiling. We applied this approach to samples obtained at a site contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Geobacter spp. were identified as biostimulation targets because they were one of the...
Show moreBioremediation is a sustainable treatment strategy which remains challenging to implement especially in heterogeneous environments such as soil and sediment. Herein, we present a novel precision bioremediation framework that integrates amplicon based metagenomic analysis and chemical profiling. We applied this approach to samples obtained at a site contaminated with polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). Geobacter spp. were identified as biostimulation targets because they were one of the most abundant genera and previously identified to carry relevant degradative genes. Mycobacterium and Sphingomonads spp. were identified as bioaugmentation and genetic bioaugmentation targets, respectively, due to their positive associations with PAHs and their high abundance and species diversity at all sampling locations. Overall, this case study suggests this framework can help identify bacterial targets for precision bioremediation. However, it is imperative that we continue to build our databases as the power of metagenomic based approaches remains limited to microorganisms currently in our databases.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019-10-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_001018
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- Transitioning from gray to green (G2G)—A green infrastructure planning tool for the urban forest.
- Creator
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Tsegaye, Seneshaw, Singleton, Thomas L., Koeser, Andrew K., Lamb, David S., Landry, Shawn M., Ku, Shen, Barber, Joshua B., Hilbert, Deborah R., Hamilton, Keir O., Northrop,...
Show moreTsegaye, Seneshaw, Singleton, Thomas L., Koeser, Andrew K., Lamb, David S., Landry, Shawn M., Ku, Shen, Barber, Joshua B., Hilbert, Deborah R., Hamilton, Keir O., Northrop, Robert J., Ghebremichael, Kebreab
Show less - Abstract / Description
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Urban stormwater managers have traditionally used pipes, ditches, ponds and other gray infrastructure elements to quickly divert runoff away from its main sources—buildings and roadways. In contrast, proponents of green infrastructure attempt to manage stormwater near its origin, utilizing natural drainage pathways and best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff and increase infiltration. In doing so, stormwater is retained where it is needed to support urban vegetation. This vegetation...
Show moreUrban stormwater managers have traditionally used pipes, ditches, ponds and other gray infrastructure elements to quickly divert runoff away from its main sources—buildings and roadways. In contrast, proponents of green infrastructure attempt to manage stormwater near its origin, utilizing natural drainage pathways and best management practices (BMPs) to reduce runoff and increase infiltration. In doing so, stormwater is retained where it is needed to support urban vegetation. This vegetation, in turn, helps reduce future runoff, while producing a whole range of environmental, economic, and social/human health-related benefits. Despite the many advantages of green infrastructure, retrofitting the infrastructure of a city is a costly process that requires careful planning. The transition from gray to green infrastructure requires communication between managers from different disciplines and a willingness to stray from management strategies that have defined stormwater management for centuries. The Gray to Green (G2G) green infrastructure planning tool is designed to facilitate these conversations—showing both technical and non-technical users how green infrastructure BMPs can work within the urban forest to manage stormwater on existing or proposed development sites. This paper details the data sources and research at the core of G2G—documenting all methods, equations, and assumptions used in its creation to provide users with a fully-transparent and peer-reviewed planning tool. The paper concludes with descriptions and user insights from two case studies from Tampa, Florida (United States) and Milwaukee, Wisconsin, (United States).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019-04-01
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_001017
- Format
- Citation
- Title
- A new approach for using GIS to link infiltration BMPs to Groundwater Pollution Risk.
- Creator
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Tsegaye, Seneshaw, Gallagher, Kristopher C., Alsharif, Kamal, Van Beynen, Philip
- Abstract / Description
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This research analyzed the efficiency of the BMP Siting Tool developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Grey-to-Green Decision Support Tool. Both tools were used in conjunction with ArcGIS 10.1 to obtain cartographic data illustrating suitable sites for bioswales and infiltration basins in Hillsborough County, Florida. The data were integrated with the Karst Aquifer Vulnerability Index (KAVI) groundwater vulnerability model. The BMP Siting Tool sited 2.80% of all bioswales...
Show moreThis research analyzed the efficiency of the BMP Siting Tool developed by the US Environmental Protection Agency and the Grey-to-Green Decision Support Tool. Both tools were used in conjunction with ArcGIS 10.1 to obtain cartographic data illustrating suitable sites for bioswales and infiltration basins in Hillsborough County, Florida. The data were integrated with the Karst Aquifer Vulnerability Index (KAVI) groundwater vulnerability model. The BMP Siting Tool sited 2.80% of all bioswales and 27.89% of all infiltration basins above vulnerable areas identified by the KAVI. Alternatively, 21.66% of all bioswales and 9.62% of all infiltration basins sited by the Grey-to-Green Decision Support Tool were above vulnerable areas. The results of this analysis prompted the proposal of a supplemental framework unique to each tool’s weakness. The idea behind the supplemental framework is to determine the most suitable sites for stormwater BMPs by refining the current siting framework to better respect groundwater integrity.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2019-02-18
- Identifier
- fgcu_ir_001016
- Format
- Citation