Civil & Environmental Engineering

Stress and strain at a point; curved beam theory, unsymmetrical bending, shear center, torsion of non-circular sections; theories of failure; selected topics in solid mechanics.

This course introduces fundamental and advanced topics on the properties of concrete materials. Fundamental topics include the formation, structure, mechanical behavior, durability, fracture, and deterioration of concrete. Theoretical treatments on the deformation, fracture and deterioration of concrete are also addressed. Advanced topics include the electromagnetic properties of concrete, high performance concrete (HPC), high-strength concrete (HSC), fiber-reinforced concrete, other special concretes, and the green construction of concrete.

This course covers the practice of structural engineering as it deals with the design of structures such as buildings and bridges, the identification of loads, and design variables, and design detailing for concrete and steel structures. The emphasis will be placed on the use and interpretation of the ACI318-09, AISD and AASHTO codes and the GTSTRUDL software.

The evolution of contaminated site remediation techniques and the necessity to construct above-ground and underground structures on difficult terrains have generated the need to characterize sites and improve geomedia at such sites for both environmental and structural purposes. Whereas site selection requires the analysis of environmental conditions at large spatial scales, the use of a specific site requires detailed analysis of the characteristics of geo-materials that comprise the site at much smaller spatial scales. The scope of this course covers techniques which can be applied in the analysis of geomedia with respect to their contaminant and moisture transport properties, as well as their capacity to serve as load-bearing foundations and durable construction materials. Prerequisites: Undergraduate course in physical geography, or geology/geomorphology, or 14.330 soil mechanics, or engineering geology.

In this course, principles and applications of inspection and monitoring techniques for the condition assessment of aged/damaged/deteriorated civil infrastructure systems such as buildings, bridges, and pipelines, are introduced. Current nondestructive testing/evaluation (NDT/E) methods including optical, acopustic/ultrasonic, thermal, magenetic/electrical, radiographic, microwave/radar techniques are addressed with a consideration of their theoretical background. Wired and wireless structural health monitoring (SHM) systems for civil infrastructure are also covered. Applications using inspection and monitoring techniques are discussed with practical issues in each application.

This course provides a concise introduction to the principles and applications of structural stability for their practical use in the design of steel frame structures. Concepts of elastic and plastic theories are introduced. Stability problems of structural members including columns, beam-columns, rigid frames, and beams are studied. Approaches in evaluating stability problems, including energy and numerical methods, are also addressed.

A review of the elementary principles of probability and statistics followed by advanced topics including decision analysis, Monte Carlo simulation, and system reliability. In-depth quantitative treatment in the modeling of engineering problems, evaluation of system reliability, and risk-benefit decision management.

Most of civil engineering applications must take into account the possibility of randomness. That is, the quantities that we are interested in exhibit an inherent variation that must be taken into account. This course develops a comprehensive framework in stochastic modeling, through many examples, applicable in analyses and decision making in all kinds of civil and environmental engineering problems. The emphasis in the course is placed on the application side of probabilistic techniques rather than their theoretical side with special emphasis in parametric and nonparametric statistics; reliability issues; stochastic processes; regression and simulation.

This course is designed to give students a comprehensive understanding of various site investigation and site assessment technologies employed in geotechnical and environmental engineering. The course begins with introduction to site investigation planning and various geophysical methods including: seismic measurements, ground penetrating radar, electrical resistivity, electromagnetic conductivity, time domain reflectometry. Drilling methods for soil, gas and ground water sampling; decontamination procedures; and long term monitoring methods are studied. Emphasis in this course is placed on conventional and state-of-the-art in situ methods for geotechnical and environmental site characterization: standard penetration test, vane shear test, dilatometer test, pressuremeter test and cone penetration tests. Modern advances in cone penetrometer technology, instrumented with various sensors (capable of monitoring a wide range of physical and environmental parameters: load, pressure, sound, electrical resistivity, temperature, PH, oxidation reduction potential, chemical contaminants) are playing a major role in site characterization. Principles underlying these methods along with the interpretation of test data will be covered in detail. The course will also look into emerging technologies in the area of site characterization. (3-0)3

Design and analyses of drilled deep foundations including: Deep foundations classification and historical perspective. Cost analysis of foundations. Construction methods and monitoring techniques. Static capacity and displacement analyses of a single drilled foundation and a group under vertical and lateral loads. Traditional and alternative load test methods - standards, construction, interpretation, and simulation. Integrity testing methods. Reliability based design using the Load and Resistance Factor design (LRFD) methodology application for drilled deep foundations.

Rigorous treatment in the mechanism and behavior of reinforced soil materials. Laboratory and insitu tests for determining the engineering properties of geosynthetics (geotextiles, geomembranes, geogrids and geocomposites). Design principles and examples of geosynthetics for separation, soil reinforcement and stabilization, filtration and drainage.

design and analyses of driven deep foundations including: Deep foundations classification and historical perspective. Effects of pile installation. Static capacity and settlement analysis of a single pile and a pile group under vertical loads. Insight of pile resistance including soil behavior and interfacial friction. Driven pile load test standards, construction, interpretation, and simulation. Dynamic analysis of driven piles, the wave equation analysis, dynamic measurements during driving and their interpretation. Reliability based design using the Load and Resistance Factor design (LRFD) methodology application for driven deep foundations.

Theories of soil mechanics and their application. Drained and undrained stress-strain and strength behavior of soils. Lateral earth pressures, bearing capacity, slope stability, seepage and consolidation. Lab and insitu testing.

Development and solution of the theories important in geotechnical engineering. Analytical and approximate methods of solution including finite element and finite difference. Elasticity theory for stress distributions. Upper and lower bound theory applied to retaining structures and shallow foundations. Soil structure interaction. Seepage and consolidation theory.

Design and analysis of shallow foundations, excavations and retaining structures including: site exploration, bearing capacity and settlement theories, earth pressures, braced and unbraced excavations, rigid and flexible retaining structures, reinforced earth, dewatering methods and monitoring techniques.

Effects of dynamic loading on foundations and earth structures. Single and multiple degree-of-freedom systems. Modal analysis. Basic seismology. Stress-strain and strength behavior of soils during cyclic and dynamic loading, including liquefaction. Soil amplification. Effect of earthquakes on retaining walls and dams. Dynamically loaded foundations.

The study of soil as an engineering material, and its use in earth structures (e.g. dams, road embankments), flow control, and compacted fills. Stability of natural and man made slopes, soil reinforcement and stabilization.

Application of testing procedures to the evaluation of soil type and engineering properties. Testing for classification, permeability, consolidation, direct and triaxial shear and field parameters. The technical procedures are followed by data analysis, evaluation and presentation. Critical examination of standard testing procedures, evaluation of engineering parameters, error estimation and research devices.

Study of the physico-chemical and mechanical behavior of soil. Topics include: soil mineralogy, formation, composition, concepts of drained and undrained stress-strain and strength behavior, frozen soils.

Design and construction methods for strengthening the properties and behavior of soils. Highway embankments, soil nailing, soil grouting, landslide investigation and mitigation, dynamic compaction, stone columns.

Objectives and procedures of the urban transportation planning process. Characteristics and current issues of urban transportation in the United States (both supply and demand). Techniques of analysis, prediction and evaluation of transportation system alternatives. Consideration of economic, environmental, ethical, social and safety impacts in the design and analysis of transportation systems.

Engineering principles for safe and efficient movement of goods and people on streets and highways, including aspects of (a) transportation planning; (b) geometric design; (c) traffic operations and control; (d) traffic safety, and; (e) management of transportation facilities. Topics include: traffic stream characteristics; traffic engineering studies; capacity and level-of-service analysis; traffic control; simulation of traffic operations; accident studies; parking studies; environmental impacts.

The objective of this course is to introduce the student to the traffic principles that are pertinent for the planning, design and analysis of Intelligent Transportation Systems (ITS). The course is oriented toward students that come from different disciplines and who do not have previous background in traffic or transportation principles. It is designed as an introductory course that will enable the student to pursue more advanced courses in transportation systems subsequently.

The course offers an overview of the fundamental principles of transportation economics. Emphasizes theory and applications concerning demand, supply and economics of transportation systems. Covers topics such as pricing, regulation and the evaluation of transportation services and projects. Prerequisites: Students should have knowledge of transportation systems and basic microeconomics.

Planning and design of public transportation systems and their technical, operational and cost characteristics. Discussion of the impact of public transportation on urban development; the different transit modes, including regional and rapid rail transit (RRT), light rail transit (LRT), buses, and paratransit, and their relative role in urban transportation; planning, design, operation and performance of transit systems (service frequency and headways, speed, capacity, productivity, utilization); routes and networks; scheduling; terminal layout; innovative transit technologies and their feasibility.

Fundamentals of planning, design, construction and management of roadway and airport pavements. Introduction to the theory and the analytical techniques used in pavement engineering. Principal topics covered: pavement performance, analysis of traffic, pavement materials; evaluation of subgrade; flexible and rigid pavement structural analysis; reliabilitydesign; drainage evaluation; design of overlays; and pavement distresses.

Planning and design of civil airports. Estimation of air travel demand. Aircraft characteristics related to design; payload, range, runway requirements. Analysis of wind data, runway orientation and obstruction free requirements. Airport configuration, aircraft operations, and capacity of airfield elements. Design of the terminal system, ground access system, and parking facilities.

The course presents modern methods of traffic management, traffic control strategies and traffic control systems technology. Main topics covered, include: transportation systems management (TSM); traffic control systems technology; control concepts - urban and suburban streets; control and management concepts - freeways; control and management concepts - integrated systems; traveler information systems; system selection, design and implementation; systems management; ITS plans and programs. The course will also include exercises in the use and application of traffic simulation and optimization models such as: CORSIM, TRANSYT and MAXBAND/ MULTIBAND.

Traffic flow theory seeks to describe through precise mathematical models (a) the interactions between the vehicle and the roadway system and (b) the interactions among vehicles. Such theories forms the basis of all the models and procedures used in design and operational analysis of streets and highways. The course examines the fundamental traffic flow characteristics: time headway, flow, time-space trajectories, speed, distance headway and density. In depth treatment of related analytical techniques including traffic stream modeling at both microscopic and macroscopic levels, supply and demand analysis, shock wave analysis, queuing analysis and simulation modeling of traffic systems.

Classical and matrix methods of structural analysis applied to complex plane trusses. Elementary space truss analysis. Elementary model analysis through the use of influence lines for indeterminate structures. The digital computer and problem oriented languages as analytical tools.

Elastic and plastic design of structural steel systems, residual stresses, local buckling, beam-columns, torsion and biaxial bending, composite steel-concrete members, load and resistance factor design.

The main objective of this course is to expand the students' knowledge and understanding of reinforced concrete behavior and design. Advanced topics at material, element, and system level are built on quick reviews of undergraduate level knowledge and are related to current design codes.

Review of properties of wood, lumber, glued laminated timber and structural-use panels. Review of design loads and their distribution in wood-frame buildings. Design of wood members in tension, compression and bending; and design of connections.

Fundamental behavior and design of prestressed concrete structural elements and systems. Basic concepts of prestressing, commonly used methods and devices, and general design philosophy. Service-load and ultimate-strength design of prestressed concrete elements for flexure, shear and torsion effects, including serviceability constraints for control of deflection and cracking.

The course will cover the design of composite beams, composite columns, slender columns, retaining walls, two way slabs, and strap footing according to the ACI (ACI 318-02) and the AISC (Manual of Steel Construction, LRFD, 3rd edition) design codes.

Finite element theory and formulation, software applications, static and dynamic finite element analysis of structures and components.

Analysis of typical structures subjected to dynamic force or ground excitation using direct integration of equations of motion, modal analysis and approximate methods.

Analysis and design of modern bridges, using computer software for the 3-D modeling of sample bridges under dead and live loading and seismic excitation. AASHTO specifications are used for the design of superstructures and substructures (abutments, piers, and bearings) under group load combinations.

Fundamental characteristics of masonry construction. The nomenclature, properties, and material specifications associated with basic components of masonry. The behavior of masonry assemblages subjected to stresses and deformations. Design of un-reinforced and reinforced masonry structures in accordance with current codes.

Course provides a theoretical understanding of various chemical and physical unit operations, with direct application of these operations to the design and operation of water and wastewater treatment processes. Topics include colloid destabilization, flocculation, softening, precipitation, neutralization, aeration and gas transfer, packed & tray towers, oxidation, disinfection, reverse osmosis, ultrafiltration, settlings, activated carbon adsorption, ion exchange, and filtration.

Well hydraulics for the analysis of groundwater movement. A review of the processes of diffusion, dispersion, sorption, and retardation as related to the fate and transport of organic contaminants in groundwater systems. Factors influencing multi-dimensional contaminant plume formation and migration are addressed. It is the goal of this course to provide environmental scientists and engineers with the technical skills required to understand groundwater hydrology and contaminant transport within aquifers. A term paper and professional presentation in class regarding a relevant topic is required.

This course utilizes engineering principles to quantitatively describe the movement of water in natural and manmade environmental systems. Topics include: hydrologic cycle, steam flow and hydrographs, flood routing, watershed modeling, subsurface hydrology, and probability concepts in hydrology, hydraulic structures, flow in closed conduits, pumps, open channel flow, elements of storm and sanitary sewer design will be addressed.

This course provides environmental understanding of the principles of aquatic chemistry and equilibria as they apply to environmental systems including natural waters, wastewater and treated waters.

The fate of contaminants in the environment is controlled by transport processes within a single medium and between media. The similarities in contaminant dispersion within air, surface water and groundwater will be emphasized. Interphase transport processes such as volatilization and adsorption will then be considered from an equilibrium perspective followed by the kinetics of mass transfer across environmental interfaces. A professional presentation of a select paper or group of paper concerning a course topic is required.

The era of massive subsidies for construction of sanitary sewers and centralized, publicly operated treatment works (POTWs) has passed. Non - point pollution from sources such as onsite disposal systems has become a major focus of concern in our efforts to protect and improve ground and surface water quality. Much of the new construction in areas not already served by centralized collection and treatment must use the alternative technologies. This course is design oriented. The variously available technologies are studied in depth. Students evaluate various technologies as they may be applied to a complex problem for which information is available, and develop an optimum problem solution.

Theory and application of surface water quality modeling will be combined interactively throughout the course. Data from a stream will be utilized in order to bring a public domain model into operation

This course focuses on the coastal dynamics of currents, tides, waves, wave morphology and their effects on beaches, estuaries, mixing and sediment transport/accretion processes. Generalized global aspects of atmospheric and hydrospheric interactions with ocean currents are also presented.

Characterization, handling and disposal of municipal, industrial and hazardous wastes. Technologies such as landfills, recycling, incineration and composting are examined. A term paper and professional presentation in class regarding a relevant topic is required.

This course will focus on computer application of air dispersion models. A basic understanding of the processes governing air pollution is desirable but not essential. Students will be expected to exercise gaussian plume models developed by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency; in addition, spreadsheet calculations will be used for some analyses.

Groundwater Modeling is designed to present the student with fundamentals, both mathematical and intuitive, of analytic and numeric groundwater modeling. An introductory course in groundwater hydrology is a prerequisite for Groundwater Modeling, and the student should be familiar with IBM computers in running text editors and spreadsheets. The semester will start with basic analytic solutions and image theory to aid in the development of more complex numeric models. Emphasis will then switch to numeric ground water flow models (MODFLOW) and the use of particle tracking models (GWPATH) to simulate the movement of solutes in ground water. The numeric modeling process will focus on forming the problem description, selecting boundary conditions, assigning the model parameters, calibrating the model, and preparing the model report. Course topics include: Analytic Methods, Numeric Methods, Conceptual Model and Grid design, Boundary Conditions, Sources, and Sinks, and Particle Tracking.

This course is to introduce students to the basic concepts of Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and GIS applications in Civil and Environmental Engineering. Topics to be covered include GIS data and maps, queries, map digitization, data management, spatial analysis, network analysis, geocoding, coordination systems and map projections, editing. Examples related to transportation, environmental, geotechnical and structural engineering will be provided to help students better understand how to apply GIS in the real world and gain hands-on experience. This course will consist of lectures and computer work.

Course covers the fundamental aspects of microbiology as they pertain to environmental engineering. The course serves as a basis for the understanding of biological water/wastewater treatment processes. Topics include: introduction to fundamental microbiology (i.e. macromolecules, genetics, and expression), metabolism (anabolism/catabolism, fermentation/respiration, electron acceptors, electron donors, aerobes, anaerobes, heterotrophs, and chemolithotrophs), biodegradation (kinetics of biological growth, pollutant availability), and energetics of growth (thermodynamics), microbial ecology, pathogen, toxicology, and biosensors.

Course covers the theoretical and practical aspects of biological wastewater treatment operations. Topics include kinetics of biological growth and substrate utilization, materials balance in chemostats and plug flow reactors, activated sludge process analysis and design, sedimentation and thickening, nitrification and denitrification, phosphorus removal, fixed-film processes analysis and design, anaerobic processes analysis and design, aerated lagoons and stabilization ponds, and natural treatment systems.

This course focuses on various green and sustainable materials and technologies applicable to five areas of civil engineering: environmental engineering, water resources engineering, structural engineering, transportation engineering, and geotechnical engineering. This course also covers current green building laws and introduces fundamentals of entrepreneurship and patent/copyright laws.

An introduction to contract, statutory and tort law governing the relationships between the multitude of parties involved in the construction process. The purpose of this course is to give students an understanding of how the law interacts with the construction industry. Course introduces students to the obligations, rights and risks of architects, engineers, general contractors, subcontractors, sureties and insurers throughout the construction process.

The course presents advanced methods of operations research, management science and economic analysis that are used in the design, planning and management of engineering systems. Main topics covered, include: the systems analysis methodology, optimization concepts, mathematical programming techniques, Network analysis and design, project planning and scheduling, decision analysis, queuing systems, simulation methods, economic evaluation. The examples and problems presented in the course illustrate how the analysis methods are used in a variety of systems applications, such as: civil engineering, environmental systems, transportation systems, construction management, water resources, urban development, etc.

This course provides the tools for Developing probabilistic models for the analysis of civil engineering systems with emphasis in traffic and transportation engineering. Continuous and discrete random variables. Expectation and moment generating functions Stochastic processes, Markov chains, limiting probabilities. Poisson process and the exponential distribution. Queueing theory. Simulation of random variables.

This course will include; directed study regarding the technical and also social, political and financial aspects of a project; and on-site project review and assessment, and culminate with preparation of a professional project report and presentations.

Transportation Safety goes beyond the accepted standards for highway design. Providing a safe and efficient transportation system for all users is the primary objective of federal, state, and local transportation agencies throughout the nation. This class addresses fundamentals of highway design and operation, human factors, accident investigation, vehicle characteristics and highway safety analysis.

An in depth look at the principal causes and manifestations of distress in flexible, rigid and composite pavements. The course will cover relevant topics in pavement and subgrade mechanics, development and application of performance indices, distress identification, current data collection methods, and an introduction to pavement management systems.

The course will include: directed study regarding the technical and also social, political and financial aspects of a project; and on-site project review and assessment and culminate with preparation of a professional project report and presentations. Not-for-profit domestic and international projects may be studied. Course will be open to those having completed preparatory work. Project availability will be by agreement of faculty advisor and project sponsors prior to enrollment. (Offered only upon availability of suitable projects and adequate outside financial support.)

This course focuses on the principles of hazardous waste site remediation (with an emphasis on organic contaminants) using physical, chemical or biological remediation technologies. Both established and emerging remediation technologies including: bioremediation, intrinsic remediation, soil vapor extraction (SVE), in situ air sparging (IAS), vacuum- enhanced recovery (VER), application of surfactants for enhanced in situ soil washing, hydraulic and pneumatic fracturing, electrokinetics, in situ reactive walls, phytoremediation, and in situ oxidation, will be addressed. A term paper and professional presentation in class regarding a relevant topic is required.

Course content and credits to be arranged with instructor who agrees to direct the student.