Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering News

The Rail Transportation Program (RTP), a part of the Michigan Tech Transportation Institute (MTTI), recently received program funding from two industry partners.
The National Railroad Construction and Maintenance Association (NRC), a national trade organization representing railroad construction and maintenance contractors and suppliers, gave $5,000 to the RTP.
Norfolk Southern (NS) Railroad has provided $20,000 to the RTP.
Both awards will support student activities, said Director Pasi Lautala.

Pasi Lautala, research assistant professor in civil and environmental engineering and director of the Rail Transportation Program, was quoted in Progressive Railroading magazine as part of its coverage of the 2012 Railroad Engineering Education Symposium. See Lautala.

National University Rail Transportation and Education Center (NURail)

Published July 20, 2012

Research

Research Assistant Professor Pasi Lautala (CEE/MTTI) and CoPIs Assistant Professor John Hill (ME-EM) and Assistant Professor Paul Sanders (MSE) have received $400,000 from the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign for a two-year project, “National University Rail Transportation and Education Center (NURail).”

Concrete Canoe Takes Third Place in National Competition

Published July 13, 2012

News

Michigan Technological University’s Concrete Canoe Team team brought home the bronze from the 2012 American Society of Civil Engineers National Concrete Canoe Competition, held June 14-16 at the University of Nevada–Reno.

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Biomediated Geomechanical Processes for Dust Mitigation and Monitoring at Mine Tailings Impoundments

Published July 3, 2012

Research

Associate Professor Eric Seagren (CEE/SFI) and CoPIs Assistant Professor Thomas Oommen (GMES/SFI) and Associate Professor Stan Vitton (CEE/SFI) have received $202,912 from NSF for a three-year project, “Biomediated Geomechanical Processes for Dust Mitigation and Monitoring at Mine Tailings Impoundments.”

CEE Students Present Senior Design Projects

Published July 2, 2012

News

All civil and environmental engineering students participate in a major design experience in engineering. Students enrolled in Senior Design work as teams on client-based engineering projects, using skills acquired in earlier engineering course work. The department’s Senior Design experience prepares students for by asking them to solve problems under many of the constraints and considerations that a civil or environmental engineer would encounter on the job. These considerations include economics, environmental, sustainability, constructability, ethical, social, political, health, and safety. In June, CEE students presented their Senior Design Projects for three Kiewit Construction sponsored projects: Lower Mattagami River, Ontario Power Hydroelectric Generating Station Upgrade.

Interactive Teaching Tool

Published June 25, 2012

News

An animation illustrating the concept of permeability, part of a Tech Alive teaching module developed by Professor Marty Auer (CEE) and colleagues, will be used in an interactive teaching tool that is being developed by Shell Global Solutions (US) Inc. for use by the US Environmental Protection Agency, state and local agencies, universities and companies with underground storage tank issues.

Integrated Assessment of Torch Lake

Published June 14, 2012

Research

Professor Noel Urban (CEE/CWS) and CoPIs Associate Professor Judith Perlinger (CEE) and Associate Professor Carol MacLennan (SS) have received $59,790 from the University of Michigan, Michigan Sea Grant, for a two-year project, “Integrated Assessment of Torch Lake.”

Steel Bridge Team Earns 2 Firsts, Fourth Overall in National Competition

Published June 13, 2012

News

Michigan Tech’s Steel Bridge team brought home two first places and placed fourth overall in the National Student Steel Bridge Competition competition at Clemson University May 25-26. The Tech team earned first places for lightness and construction efficiency.

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http://mininggazette.com/page/content.detail/id/525981/Tech-takes-first-in-steel-bridge-competition.html?nav=5006

Nanoclays Lead to Better Asphalt in Roads

Published June 12, 2012

Research

Work by Associate Professor Zhangping You (CEE) is featured in the article “Nanoclays Lead to Better Asphalt in Roads,” appearing in Nano: The Magazine for Small Science.

Michigan Tech article

The paper written by Associate Professor Zhanping You (CEE) was ranked ninth in the top 25 hottest articles of 2011 by Science Direct.

US-Vietnam Workshop on Multiple Natural Hazards Assessment and Mitigation Under the Impact of Climate Change

Published May 31, 2012

Research

Associate Professor Yue Li (CEE) and colleagues have received $39,450 from the National Science Foundation for a project, “US-Vietnam Workshop on Multiple Natural Hazards Assessment and Mitigation Under the Impact of Climate Change.”