University Oral Examination Master of Science in Engineering for

Graham Bartlett

DATE:                          Friday, Sep 30, 2011

TIME:                          8:30 am

LOCATION:                 H 214, Head Hall

ABSTRACT: Increased development and the intensification of agriculture within many catchments have resulted in the degradation of groundwater quality, with subsequent negative impacts being transferred to streams and coastal waters by nutrient transport in groundwater. It is believed that nitrogen loadings from streams and groundwater discharge are major factors contributing to eutrophic conditions in two small estuaries (Trout River and McIntyre Creek) located within New London Bay, Prince Edward Island. Intertidal springs are the primary mode of direct groundwater discharge to these estuaries and this study was undertaken to better understand the temporal dynamics of such springs. Discharge monitoring results indicate a significant linear correlation (p<0.001) between stream baseflow and spring discharge during the study period. Cross correlation analysis indicates no time lag between stream baseflow and spring discharge, which suggests these two hydrologic components are responding to the same climatic drivers (e.g. infiltration of precipitation and snow melt). Nitrate loadings from intertidal springs were considerably different for the three locations that were investigated. Individual loads ranged between 40 and 651 kg NO3-N/yr and this variability is attributed to the differences in upgradient land use (primarily agriculture). Nitrate concentrations in stream and spring waters were remarkably constant during the year of monitoring. The primary reason for temporal variations in nitrate loading was related to discharge; the highest seasonal loads occurred during the spring season when groundwater recharge and discharge peaked. The findings suggest that although the magnitude of nitrogen loading from streams and intertidal springs in these catchments exhibits large spatial variations, the temporal variations are significantly correlated.

For further information, please contact Joyce Moore in the Department of Civil Engineering at 452-6127 or joycem@unb.ca.

http://www.unbf.ca/clubs/acegs/documents/GrahamBartlett-UNBDefence.pdf

CE PhD Students Award Winners

UNB Civil Engineering PhD. Students Amy Vaillancourt and Anna Perreira took
top honours at the recent 10th International Postgraduate Research
Conference (IPGRC 2011) held this year at the School of the Built
Environment, University of Salford, UK, Wednesday 14th – Thursday 15th
September 2011.

Anna Perreira - Awarded Best Conference Paper (Topic: Knowledge Management
Practices in Construction Oriented Non-profit Volunteer Organisations)
Amy Vaillancourt - Awarded Best Conference Presentation (Topic: Integrating
Sustainability into Civil Engineering Curriculum)

The IPGRC is an annual two-day international conference for postgraduates
researching in the field of the built environment. The conference offers an
important opportunity for built environment research candidates to meet
together to gain an insight into current international research in their
field, and to gain valuable conference experience. Led by key academics the
conference provides opportunities to enhance and develop research skills, to
network and to exchange research ideas and activities in a supportive
environment. Invitation to the conference is limited and Amy and Anna's
papers were selected from over 100 international submissions.

EVALUATION OF CORROSION IN CRACKED HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE EXPOSED TO A NATURAL CHLORIDE ENVIRONMENT

ORAL EXAMINATION Doctor of Philosophy

Herwing Z. Lopez-Calvo

DATE: Wednesday, Sept 21, 2011
TIME: 2:00 pm
LOCATION: ADI Studio – HC 25

ABSTRACT:

Chloride-induced corrosion of reinforcing steel is the most serious maintenance concern facing the construction industry. Although several strategies, such as the use of corrosion inhibiting admixtures (CIAs) and supplementary cementitious materials (SCMs) or the application of protective coatings either on the reinforcing steel or the concrete surface have been proposed to control this destructive process, there are still several uncertainties about their effectiveness in cracked high performance concrete (HPC).

In this research program, effects of corrosion in cracked HPC exposed to a chloride environment were evaluated. Three phases of investigation in the laboratory and in the field were developed. In the first phase, the effects of the addition of CIAs and SCMs on the short and long-term compressive strength and certain durability properties of HPC were studied. In the second phase, the performance of different corrosion control methods (CIAs alone or in combination with SCMs, a silane surface pre-treatment and five types of epoxy coated rebars) in protecting steel in cracked HPC was evaluated. Finally, the third phase, evaluated the effects of chloride-induced corrosion on the tensile properties of reinforcing bars embedded in cracked HPC.

Results demonstrated that the addition of CIAs and SCMs, alone or in combination was not detrimental to the HPC properties; in fact, their combination tended to improve both the compressive strength and the durability properties of concrete. It was also found that HPC in its cracked state does not always provide corrosion protection to the steel in a chloride environment even when CIAs and SCMs were used in the mixtures. Nevertheless, the combination of two or more corrosion mitigating strategies, selection of an adequate w/cm, and an appropriate concrete cover were found to be relatively effective in controlling corrosion in cracked HPC; and thus, effective to mitigate the effects of chloride-induced corrosion on the tensile properties of the reinforcing steel.

http://www.unbf.ca/clubs/acegs/documents/HerwingLopez-Calvo.pdf

LONG-TERM DEFLECTION OF ONE-WAY CONCRETE SLAB STRIPS CONTAINING STEEL AND GFRP REINFORCEMENT

Notice of University Oral Examination Master of Science in Engineering

Mohammadali Darabi

DATE: Monday, Aug 29, 2011
TIME: 2:00 pm
LOCATION: TME 224

ABSTRACT:

Fibre reinforced polymers (FRP’s) are considered an alternative to steel reinforcement in concrete structures because of their noncorrosive nature and nonmagnetic properties. FRP materials are, however, brittle and have a lower stiffness compared to steel. The latter property can lead to deflection and crack control problems in FRP-reinforced concrete flexural members under service loads. A considerable amount of information is available for short-term deflection of FRP-reinforced concrete members, but data on long-term deflections are scarce. This study presents the results of monotonic (short-term) and sustained (long-term) loading tests of 12 concrete shallow beams reinforced with either steel or glass FRP (GFRP) bars. The short-term load-deflection responses of the members are evaluated using existing deflection prediction models (Branson’s and Bischoff’s), and the long-term deflection results (monitored over a period of one year) are used to evaluate the existing ACI code and CSA standard approaches for estimating long-term deflection.

For further information, please contact Joyce Moore in the Department of Civil Engineering at 452-6127 or joycem@unb.ca.

CSCE National Lecture Tour

The Canadian Society for Civil Engineering will present the following lecture on Sept. 28 at 7:00 pm in the Dineen Auditorium (Room HC13), Head Hall:

Engineering Significance and Lessons of the March 11, 2011 Tsunami in Japan: Tsunami Impacts on Infrastructure
By Dr. Ioan Nistor, University of Ottawa

ABSTRACT
On March 11, 2011, a magnitude 9.0 earthquake occurred along the Sanriku Coast, offshore of north-east Japan, at 3:46 p.m. local time. The quake resulted in several massive tsunami waves which hit the Japanese coast, reaching 38.7 m in height. Significant damage occurred in coastal and inland engineered structures located in several coastal towns that were largely destroyed. The first international research team composed of a group of four engineers (three from the US and one from Canada), visited the affected area four weeks after the event to conduct reconnaissance investigations on behalf of the American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE). Dr. Ioan Nistor was part of this reconnaissance team. He will present findings and observations on the performance of infrastructure and the damage caused by devastating tsunami waves. In addition, as a member of the newest ASCE7 Subcommittee entrusted with the elaboration of Design Guidelines for Tsunami-Resistant Buildings, he will present an overview of the current research and engineering efforts in this direction.
The lecture will be of interest to hydraulic, structural, and geotechnical engineers interested in disaster prevention and mitigation, with a particular emphasis on the design of structures prone to extreme loading due to tsunamis, waves, and flash floods in the Canadian context.

Dr. Ioan Nistor, Ph.D, Ing. (OIQ), is an associate professor of hydraulic and coastal engineering at the University of Ottawa. He has worked on various international and Canadian projects related to dam engineering, coastal engineering, environmental engineering as well as sanitation and water resources development. Ioan has participated in several international and Canadian research programs and has won several research and teaching awards.

Notice of University Oral Examination Master of Science in Engineering - Dan Colwell

Improving Project Management Capability in Medium Sized Manufacturing Organizations

Dan Colwell

DATE: Friday, Sept 9, 2011
TIME: 9:00 am
LOCATION: H 303 – Head Hall

ABSTRACT:

The goal of this thesis is to develop a sustainable, multi-module framework to facilitate continuous improvement of capital project management capability in a medium sized manufacturing organization. A commercially available continuous improvement process is sourced, trialed with a case study organization and critiqued. Feedback from a medium sized manufacturing organization indicates specific aspects of the above framework which compliment the isolated use of the commercially available benchmarking tool. Information and Communication Technology (ICT) applications are investigated and trialed with a case study organization to determine if ICT is part of the solution. A multi-module sustainable framework to increase organizational project management capability is proposed addressing gaps and issues for the targeted application. Findings from the case study are extended to other organizations (methodology, deliverable, scope).

For further information, please contact Joyce Moore in the Department of Civil Engineering at 452-6127 or joycem@unb.ca.

A Novel Anaerobic Membrane Bioreactor for Wastewater Treatment and Bio-energy Production

NOTICE OF CE PhD COMPREHENSIVE ORAL EXAMINATION
Candidate: Mayur Kale

Date: Friday, August 26, 2011
Time: 9:30 am
Location: C-110 Head Hall (Library Wing)
Abstract:

Anaerobic membrane processes are a combination of anaerobic digestion process with membrane for retention of active sludge in the reactor. It is an efficient and versatile option for treatment of industrial wastewaters.

The main objective of this study is to develop and evaluate high rate thermophilic anaerobic membrane reactor (AnMBR) treating pre-hydrolyzed liquor (PHL) obtained from a dissolving pulp production facility by advancing the design and configuration of the membrane bio-reactor system for efficient removal of organics with better performance.

The uniqueness of this research is that a novel thermophilic anaerobic membrane bio-reactor will be developed and studied with different operating parameters like organic loading rate, hydraulic retention time, sludge retention time etc., and its effectiveness on removal of biodegradable organics and solids concentration, by treating PHL.

The proposed application of AnMBR for PHL has not been attempted yet. This study will offer the industries involved in pulp production, an option for a sustainable biological treatment of waste with the benefit of bio-energy production and its utilization.

http://www.unbf.ca/clubs/acegs/documents/MayurKale.pdf

A Large-Scale Optimization Algorithm to Support Cross-Assets Long-Term Planning in Transportation Asset Management

PhD Oral Examination: Shabani Kachua
Fri, 26 August, 09:30 – 12:00

ABSTRACT:
Long term planning, such as rehabilitation and maintenance programming for transportation and municipal infrastructure requires trade-off of investment choices (repair activities) across a variety of asset types. To achieve truly optimal return of investment, the trade-off analysis requires a radically different approach far beyond the traditional, prioritization based on life-cycle cost analysis. The existing techniques used to allocate resources for maintaining their network of assets are not efficient or capable to investigate a full range of investment options and to rigorously compare (conduct tradeoffs) among alternatives, as results do not provide optimal (or near-optimal) utilization of available resources. This research addressing this practical need and developed a robust cross-assets trade-off and optimization framework to support strategic level long-term investment planning based on mathematical optimization.
This research developed and implemented a viable formulation for a large scale linear programming (LP) optimization algorithm to support network level long-term rehabilitation and maintenance (R&M) resource allocation for transportation and municipal infrastructure. The developed LP algorithm overcomes the limitations of the existing analytical tools while providing an optimal allocation of limited resources available. The large-scale LP algorithm successfully developed was translated to handle multiple objectives, across asset types for long-term strategic planning. The LP algorithm extended using interactive multi-objective algorithms to simultaneously evaluate multi-objective functions through the Pareto optimality concept. Based on the case study, the outcome of the unconstrained budget allocation is the worsening of conditions of other asset types. For example, asphalt road were deteriorating from 77 to 18 PCI unlike bridge improved in condition to 97 BCI. The developed interactive algorithm finds the optimal weights for transforming the multi-objectives problem into a linear compromise single objective optimization problem. With the application of interactive algorithm the average conditions observed for asphalt road and bridges were 96 PCI, and 97 BCI respectively. The weights enabled the LP algorithm to equally improve the average condition across asset types.
This research investigated the use of Dantzig-Wolfe decomposition to solve larger scale resource allocation problems. The purpose was to compare the new solutions in terms of problem size and computational efficiency (CPU time, memory use and optimal value) with the developed LP algorithm. When tested on an actual road network case study, the D-W decomposed algorithm significantly reduced by about 4 and 3 orders of magnitude the number of constraints decision variables respectively. The D-W decomposed algorithm, achieved a significant reduction in the CPU time and able to solve up to 15 years problem size unlike developed LP algorithm can solve up to 9 years.
The genetic algorithm was investigated and implemented to overcome computer memory and CPU time of the developed LP algorithm. The motivation was to exploit the computational efficiency of the genetic algorithm. The compromise in near optimal solution obtained was evaluated against the improvement in computational efficiency. The genetic algorithm significantly reduced the problem size to 15,516 decision variables compared to the D-W decomposition which involved over 1.05x107 decision variables. Genetic algorithm was almost 61 times faster than the LP algorithm and managed to solve a case study road network over +25 years. On the downside, the genetic algorithm can only achieve near-optimal solution; the optimal objective value is about 95.7% of the true optimal value (based on the network average condition over 12-years of that achieved by the D-W decomposed LP algorithm).

http://www.unbf.ca/clubs/acegs/documents/ShabaniKachuaSGSOralExaminationNotice.pdf

UNB Civil Engineering Student wins award at national water resources conference

PhD candidate Barret Kurylyk was awarded the Bill Stolte Student Award at the Canadian Water Resources Association national conference which was held in St. John’s, NL, June 27-30. The award is presented each year for the student presentation that best exhibits the following: originality; contribution to water resources knowledge; technical and analytical quality; and clarity of presentation. Barret’s presentation dealt with the effect of climate model predictions on future groundwater recharge rates.

Pattern Matching and Corresponding Bayesian Approaches for Improving Assignment and AADT Estimation Accuracy of Short-Term Counts

Ehsan Bagheri
DATE: Monday - Jul 11, 2011
TIME: 10:45 am
LOCATION: HC 25 – ADI Studio

ABSTRACT: The importance of reliable estimates of travel demand for effective planning, design, and management of roads and facilities is well known by transportation engineers. A review of different short-term traffic monitoring practices shows that most transportation agencies simply use road functional class as the criteria to assign short-term traffic counts (STTCs) to permanent traffic counter (PTC) factor groups. The improved methods described in this study use all historical counts collected to date for a road segment to create its seasonal traffic pattern. Three methods and corresponding Bayesian approaches are proposed and tested using PTC data from Alberta and their results are compared to the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) method. Study results show improvements in AADT estimates with a reduction in the 95th percentile errors (P95) ranging from 0.48% to 31.94%. This study contributes to improving STTC assignment and the AADT estimation by constructing seasonal traffic variation profiles for STTC sites using all historical data available, without imposing any additional monitoring cost, or any change to existing traffic monitoring programs.