Browsing by Author "Johnson, Pauline D."

Now showing 1 - 11 of 11
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    Active construction safety leading indicator data collection and evaluation
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Awolusi, Ibukun Gabriel; Batson, Robert G.; Marks, Eric D.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The construction industry continues to experience an increased rate of workplace injuries and fatalities when compared to other U.S. industrial sectors. Construction workers often face safety and health risks throughout the construction process because of these dangerous working environments. Current safety practices, which are largely passive in nature, have not yielded the desired optimum results. Further improvements are necessary to enhance construction safety through the implementation of proactive safety strategies. This research seeks to evaluate how construction safety performance can be enhanced during the construction phase through the application of active construction safety leading indicators and sensing technologies. A near miss data collection and analysis framework is created and implemented for the management of safety leading indicator information. An objective evaluation of wearable technology systems for personalized construction safety monitoring is presented together with a model for integrating wearable sensors for multi-parameter safety performance monitoring. The characteristics of wearable devices and safety metrics capable of predicting safety performance and management practices are identified and analyzed. Strategies for the evaluation, selection, and implementation of vehicle intrusion sensing technologies for highway work zone safety are provided. The major contributions of this research involve the scientific data for collecting and evaluating safety leading indicators and innovative technologies, as well as an implementation guide for their application in construction. This research also provides best practices for construction management personnel that allows for the implementation of innovative safety technologies, as well as the use of collected data and information in operational procedures, safety training, and education.
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    Assessing the social and economic impacts of hydrologic extremes
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2017) Zhu, Lian; Tootle, Glenn A.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Disaster impact assessments are crucial for understanding disasters and effective disaster prevention. Deciding how to respond to disasters cannot be efficient without considering the disaster’s social and economic impacts. Among all types of disasters, drought and flood induce the largest human and economic cost. Interbasin transfer is a commonly used strategy to overcome the mismatch between water availability and water demand, and enhance economic development. The researches present within this dissertation discuss how can we develop an efficient economic impact model or models which can take into consideration sector vulnerability and resiliency strategies in response to extreme climate events, to assist decision makers in devising response strategies. The first and second studies in this dissertation investigate methods to assess the economic consequences of drought induced water restriction and the economic consequences of flood impact in public water supply systems. Drought and flood induce water outage, and cause substantial impacts in public water supply systems. However, researches and tools which assess drought and flood impact in water supply systems are uncommon. We adapt previous work on economic consequence assessment in the event of water services disruption to evaluate the economic impact of water restrictions resulting from extended drought conditions, and water contamination and outage resulting from flood conditions. These two models focus on all commercial and industrial economic sectors across multiple basins using a continuous dynamic social accounting matrix approach.The third study in this dissertation investigates the interbasin transfer impact to the basin(s), with a focus on agriculture production, and discusses the necessity to establish a state-level interbasin transfer regulation in Alabama. A framework for comprehensive impact assessment of interbasin transfer is developed in this dissertation. The interbasin transfer research reviews four representative interbasin transfer projects, concludes the triggers of interbasin transfer projects and impacts in economic, hydrologic, ecological, and social systems. The relation between irrigation and agriculture production is simulated with AquaCrop. Three states’ interbasin transfer regulations and acts are studied. Results indicate the required processes to establish a state-level interbasin transfer regulation and the focuses of future researches.
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    Characteristics of urban development and associated stormwater quality
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2010) Bochis, Elena-Celina; Pitt, Robert; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Urban land uses and their associated impervious cover increase the quantity and worsen the quality of stormwater runoff, which can seriously impair receiving waters. It is known that there is considerable variability in runoff quantity and quality between rain-to-rain events due to rainfall spatial variability. In addition, runoff presents significant variability between neighborhoods, even if they are affected by the same rain event. It is hypothesized that the variability in stormwater quality between sites is associated with the difference in land uses and surface covers. This research examined the variability in stormwater quality characteristics as contained in the National Stormwater Quality Database (NSQD) for different land use categories and nine selected stormwater constituents (TSS, total zinc, total copper, total lead, total phosphorous, dissolved phosphorous, total nitrogen, TKN, and fecal coliform) at different geographical scales - national, regional (EPA Rain Zone 2), and local levels (Jefferson County, AL). The results of the local data analyses were compared to the results obtained from the national and regional analyses. This research also examined the detailed land development characteristics based on actual local field measurements and explained how this variability affects the variability in stormwater characteristics. The land development characteristics information was collected from Little Shades Creek watershed and five highly urbanized drainage areas situated in Jefferson County, AL (in and near the city of Birmingham). About 170 neighborhoods were surveyed in detailed to determine the actual development characteristics and their variability. This research found that each major land use had unique patterns and mixtures of surfaces. These, in addition to the activities taking place within the land uses, affect the runoff quality and its variability from these areas. It was found that there is less variability in stormwater quality characteristics within each land use category compared to the variability between the land use categories. This finding is also true for land cover areas in that there are lower levels of variations in these area types within each land use compared to between the different land uses. The results from this dissertation analyses can be used as guidance for local stormwater quality monitoring efforts, but the specific results are not all expected to be applicable everywhere. The main focus of this research was in investigating stormwater variability, specifically its sources and how it can be reduced. The general concern with the high variability that is associated with stormwater quality is the uncertainty of being able to meet discharge requirements, even with extensive use of stormwater control practices. This uncertainty can be eliminated, or at least reduced, by a better understanding of sources of this variability. Specifically, appropriate discharge regulations that recognize this variability will assist the stormwater managers to better use their financial resources and to maximize receiving water quality improvements.
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    Climatic drivers of Southeast U.S hydrology
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2019) Tabatabaei Sadeghi, Sahar; Tootle, Glenn; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The growing demand for water has raised concerns regarding future resource scarcity. For water management, agriculture, fisheries needs and hydro-climatic research, there has been conflict over water in Southeastern United States (SEUS). In this dissertation, I intend to evaluate the temporal (monthly) variability of El Nino on SEUS streamflow and Atlantic Ocean Sea Surface Temperature (AO SST) variability and SEUS streamflow. The development of an El Nino and the association of increased moisture (e.g., precipitation, streamflow) in coastal Mississippi and Alabama is misleading in agricultural practices (Sadeghi et al., 2019b). While annual increases were ~20%, this increase was in the winter and late-spring during the planting season for crops. Thus, moist soil conditions could delay crop planting. During the summer growing season, moisture was decreased and, thus, given the majority of agricultural lands are rain-fed and not irrigated, this could severely impact crop production (drought). A multi-decadal teleconnection was established between north Atlantic Ocean SSTs and SEUS streamflow (Sadeghi et al., 2019a). SEUS streamflow has been in a multi-decadal decline since ~1990 and the warming of north Atlantic Ocean SSTs exhibits a strong, linear relationship with this decline. The use of “raw” SSTs confirms previous efforts establishing an Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation “like” signal in SEUS streamflow. Future research efforts will utilize the multi-decadal teleconnection of Atlantic Ocean SSTs to forecast SEUS streamflow. Future forecasts of Atlantic Oceans SSTs from multiple Global Climate Models (GCMs) will be used as independent variables in regression models to forecast future multi-decadal variability of SEUS streamflow. These results can be compared to “traditional” methods in which physically based distributed hydrologic models are developed and downscaled future “forcings” are input to determine future flows.
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    Development of a low cost, rapid detection method for Escherichia coli
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) Grammer, Phillip John; Brown, Joe M.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Reducing the burden of water-related illness requires better monitoring for fecal contamination so that risks can be identified and controlled. Currently used tests do not provide rapid feedback on drinking water risks, are often bulky and expensive, and are not well suited for field use. We developed a novel test method based on a specific antigen/antibody reaction to create a visual indication of the presence of E. coli; in a water sample. We used a latex agglutination technique employing E. coli; specific antibody coated microparticles (MPs) as an identification method, preceded by a recovery step and growth period to enhance concentrations to detectable levels. E. coli; in laboratory prepared waters were recovered via membrane filtration, grown to titers sufficient for MP use, and interacted with MPs to provide a quantal (presence/absence). The growth rate of E. coli; in liquid media after concentration by membrane filtration was investigated, as well as the role of elution of E. coli; from the membrane filter. The detection limit of antibody coated microparticles was also determined. Results showed low correlation (-0.150) between average recovery rate and average 0 - 6 hour doubling time, indicating low need for bacterial elution. The subsequent growth step yielded an average replication of 660,000 the original membrane filter count at 9 hours, with an average doubling time in log phase growth of 21.5 minutes. Results suggest a lower detection limit of approximately 13,000,000 cfu/mL for E. coli; using antibody coated microparticles. Coupled together, the test can positively detect a single E. coli; cfu in the original sample after incubation for 11 hours (95% CI). Required minimum incubation times for detection of 10 cfu and 100 cfu were 9 hours 50 minutes, and 8 hours 40 minutes (95% CI), respectively. The novel method provides a promising method of decreasing both the cost of field water testing and time required to provide results. Doing so would greatly improve the ability to identify and reduce the effect of fecal contamination in drinking water sources.
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    Economic analysis of energy retrofits for buildings
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2011) Estes, Heather Michelle; Moynihan, Gary P.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Research was conducted regarding improving the primary method the Alabama Industrial Assessment Center (AIAC) uses to make recommendations to companies regarding whether implementing an energy saving retrofit is economically sustainable. Their current decision-making criterion is based around the payback period method. An Excel-based tool was developed that is able to use the information obtained by the AIAC in their facility assessment reports to make a more informed decision regarding the economic systainability of the retrofit using the time value of money technique of annual cost and inflation. While the majority of the time the research confirmed the recommendation made using the payback period method, some of the time there was disagreement between the two methods. Further testing is warranted in order to validate any direct correlation between the payback period method and the cost-benefit ratio values obtained using this tool for economic analysis of energy retrofits for buildings. Because payback is a measure of liquidity and not profitability, the assumption can be made that the new tool is more accurate for companies to make a more informed decision regarding implementing the retrofit, but only more research could confirm this hypothesis.
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    Environmental impact assessment in Ethiopia: laws and practices
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2012) Janka, Dejene Girma; Andreen, William L.; Tekle, Mekete B.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    EIA is one of the means that decision-makers use to consider the impact of their actions on the environment. As a tool for decision-making, EIA emerged in 1969 in the US and it has now obtained a wide acceptance around the world. Accordingly, most countries have provided for some form of EIA to ensure environmental protection. In Ethiopia, although the relevance of EIA in decision-making was recognized in 1997 by the EPE, it was firmly established in our legal system in 2002 with the enactment of the EIA Proclamation. Ethiopia has recognized the system of EIA because in addition to contributing to environmental protection it facilitates sustainable development, fosters the implementation of the right to clean and healthy environment, brings about administrative transparency and accountability, and facilitates public participation in decision-making process. Hence, decision-makers in Ethiopia are expected to use EIA to consider the impacts of their actions on the environment. In this paper, I have examined whether the system of EIA in Ethiopia is adequate both in law and in practice. Accordingly, I have argued that the system of EIA in Ethiopia is not adequate both in law and in practice to ensure the achievement of the objectives for which EIA was recognized because, inter alia, (1) the laws relating to the use of EIA are inadequate, (2) the institutions that are established to ensure the effectiveness of the system of EIA are facing various problems, (3) EIA is often not used to make decisions, (4) most licensing bodies do not use ECC as a condition to issue licenses, (5) the consequences the existing laws attach to failure to comply with the legal requirement of EIA are not applied, and (6) environmental protection agencies do not carry out pre- and post EIA evaluation monitoring. Equally, I have argued that there are opportunities that, if used, can lead to improved effectiveness of the system of EIA in Ethiopia. These opportunities include attitudinal change towards the relevance of EIA, the use of EIA as a condition to grant loans, and the recognition of environmental protection in Ethiopia's strategic plans.
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    The need for a standard of professional practice in civil engineering
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Williams, Charles Edward; Johnson, Philip W.; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    The premise for this research is that a standard of professional practice for design management will aid in the reduction of engineering failures. The data for this research was obtained from diverse group of peer reviewed journal articles, civil and forensic engineering authored books, and Travelers Indemnity Company. The structure of the dissertation is composed of a broad introduction followed by three journal articles: Article One "Inadequate Design Management Compared to Unprecedented Technical Issues: As a Cause for Engineering Failure," Article Two "Standards of Professional Practice for Design Management," and Article Three "Measuring the Responses and Attitudes for a Proposed Standards of Professional Practice for Design Management," and a broad conclusion. Each individual article provides a methodology for proving a need exists in the form of a standard to help reduce engineering failures resulting from inadequate management practices.
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    Recycled material web map: connecting consumers and producers
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2016) Shake, Brittany Danielle; Graettinger, Andrew Joseph; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    An online Geographic Information System (GIS) web application that connects producers and consumers of recyclable material was developed to assist engineers and contractors in the beneficial reuse of recycled materials in transportation projects. The Recycled Material Web Map is comprised of four core layers: producers, stockpiles, specifications, and case studies. Producers of recycled material can locate their facility and enter contact information. The stockpile layer, connected to the producer layer, allows facility managers to add or update information about their recycled material stockpiles including material type(s), application(s), availability, and cost. Multiple stockpiles can be associated with each producer. The specification layer includes both Department of Transportation (DOT) specifications and environmental regulations pertaining to the beneficial reuse of nonhazardous recycled material based on specific location, material type, and application. The case study layer locates transportation projects that successfully utilized recycled materials and includes information regarding the material type, application, volume data, and any additional documentation. As potential consumers of recycled material, engineers and contractors can pinpoint the location of a construction project, search for sources and quantities of recycled material that meet project specifications, and contact material producers. The web map utilizes search capabilities to locate nearby stockpiles to minimize transportation costs that typically dictate the use of large volumes of materials. The Recycled Material Web Map provides key information that engineers and contractors need to successfully utilize recycled materials, thereby preserving limited natural resources and benefiting the project and society as a whole. The web map is available at http://rmwm.caps.ua.edu.
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    Sustainability analysis for construction companies under the LEED code
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2018) Giron Matute, Willy Adam; Graettinger, Andrew Joseph; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    Sustainable construction is a very important input for economic development, improvement of human quality of living, and a major resource to decrease the negative impacts to our environment. While much published literature on sustainability really focuses on efforts made during a project’s early concept planning and after it is built, there is little studies of construction phase actions. The lack of research suggests that sustainability during the construction phase of projects require more investigation, therefore the construction industry does not have enough measurable data to rely on. In response to this need, the research related to construction is a must. The three main components of sustainability will be analyzed in favor of the construction industry. These main components of sustainability include the following aspects: environment, society and the economy. During the environment analysis, the relationship between sustainable new constructions inside United States compared to the rest of the world is compared. For the society aspect, an explanation of the relationship between the number of people certified to work in sustainable construction for different regions is presented. For the economy, the pricing relationship between CII (Construction Industry Index) sustainable construction measures are compared with traditional construction and the LEED code. Following the analysis of these three main categories, different results and conclusions are provided in favor of the construction industry.
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    Urban stormwater runoff contamination associated with gutter and pipe material degradation
    (University of Alabama Libraries, 2013) Ogburn, Olga Nikolaevna Loukianova; Pitt, Robert; University of Alabama Tuscaloosa
    In addition to typical stormwater pollutant sources (erosion materials, automotive activity, landscaping chemicals, pet wastes, etc.), urban stormwater runoff can also be contaminated with substances that leach from materials with which the water contacts as the rain water travels through an urban area to the discharge point. Prior studies have shown that the composition of roofing materials and the drainage system pipes can significantly affect the amounts of pollutants, particularly heavy metals, released into the runoff, especially for roof runoff. This dissertation research indicated that water chemistry (pH, salinity, major ions, etc.) and time of contact may also affect the release of contaminants from materials. The primary objective of this research was to examine how different drainage system and tank materials, water chemical characteristics, and exposure times affect contaminant losses during controlled tests examining the expected range of these characteristics. Static leaching tests for eight pipe and gutter materials were conducted over two separate three month periods during which pipe and gutter test materials were exposed to roof runoff and stormwater buffered to pH 5 and 8 and for exposure to different salinity conditions. A suite of heavy metal and nutrient constituents were periodically analyzed during the exposure periods. Also, pH, Eh, toxicity, alkalinity, total and calcium hardness, chloride and sulfate analysis were evaluated. This research found that the metallic gutter and pipe materials released significant heavy metals. Some of these materials were found to release large amounts of zinc, copper, and lead during the tests, with galvanized steel materials being the most significant sources of lead and zinc, while copper materials were the most important source of copper (as expected). Zinc, copper, and lead releases were detected during both short and long exposure times under low and high pH conditions and low and high salinity conditions. Statistical analyses were conducted to determine the effects of time, pH, salinity and each type of material on the release of the metals. Model fitting was performed on the time series plots to predict the release rate of metals as a function of exposure time and surface area. Chemical speciation modeling was also conducted to predict the forms of the measured metals, to compare the maximum concentrations observed with the expected solubility conditions, and to predict the relative toxicities and treatabilites of the different metallic compounds and ionic species likely present. A simple model was developed that quantified the expected pollutant releases for various materials for different uses (drainage systems vs. storage tanks) and water types (low and high pH conditions, saline and non-saline waters).