Civil, Environmental, and Geospatial Engineering News

Civil Engineering Graduate Seminar:
Time: 4-5pm, Thursday (April. 12th), Location: Dow 642
Public welcome

Presenter: Chris Carroll, Ph.D., E.I. Assistant Professor, Department of Civil Engineering, University of Louisiana at Lafayette (hosted by Dr. Devin Harris) 

TOPIC: Sustainability from the Perspective of an Ancient Engineer

BIO: Dr. Carroll received his Ph.D. from Virginia Tech in August of 2009 and has been an assistant professor at the University of Louisiana at Lafayette since.  Dr. Carroll’s research focus is primarily in the areas of prestressed and reinforced concrete with a concentration on the bond between concrete and reinforcing steel.  He is an active member of the American Concrete Institute and American Society of Civil Engineers.  In addition to his experimental interests, he also has an interest in engineering education, specifically those related to active and visual teaching techniques and project and problem based learning used in structural engineering courses.  Furthermore, Dr. Carroll has also hosted three television shows in conjunction with the History Channel and Discovery Channel as a technical expert.  Most recently, he served as co-host on a pilot series entitled Engineering the Impossible for the Discovery Channel.  The pilot series included two shows focused on the engineering techniques used by the Ancient Engineers of Rome and Egypt.  Dr. Carroll along with a group of his students recreated various structures from the ancient Roman and Egyptian Empires showcasing some of the techniques believed to be used by each to construct some of the most famous structures in the world.

ABSTRACT: For centuries, the Coliseum, Pantheon, and aqueducts have been admired time and time again.  Their sheer size alone is awe inspiring and constantly raises the question, “How were they built?”  While hypotheses exist for their construction, maybe the more important question is “How have they withstood the test of time?”  In a day and age where sustainability is a key concern in new designs, looking at the work of ancient engineers could reiterate what sustainability is and to what areas structural engineers should devote their attention.  This presentation highlights the methods used by the Romans in the construction of the Coliseum, Pantheon, and Pont du Gard Aqueduct and touches on some key principles related to their continued survival.
Flyer

Speaker: Ms. Kaira Wagoner
Title of presentation: Ceramic Weapons of Mass (Bacterial) Destruction; A Simple, Affordable and Effect Solution to Waterborne Disease
Time: 3-4 pm Wednesday April 4th
Place: 642 DESEB

Bio:
Kaira Wagoner is currently a Environmental Health Sciences PhD student at the University of North Carolina, Greensboro. After graduating from Guilford College in 2006, Kaira and her partner Reynaldo Diaz were trained in ceramic filter production by the late Ron Rivera, former Filter Coordinator of Potters for Peace. Since 2008, Kaira has assumed the position of Filter Communication Coordinator for Potters for Peace, and has conducted filter work in Tanzania, Somaliland, Rwanda, Uganda, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and Kenya.

Potters for Peace:
Potters for Peace is a U.S. based nonprofit network of potters, educators, technicians, supporters, and volunteers. Founded in Nicaragua in 1986, we work with clay artisans in Central America and worldwide on ceramic water purification projects. Every day 5,000 children die due to unsanitary water (WHO 2005). Since 1998 Potters for Peace has traveled the world teaching the fabrication of a low-cost ceramic water filter that can bring clean, potable water to those who need it most. We do not make, store or distribute ceramic water filters nor do we operate filter production facilities. Instead, we assist responsible local partners to set up filter production and distribution facilities.

Video of seminar: Ceramic Weapons of Mass (Bacterial) Destruction; A Simple, Affordable and Effect Solution to Waterborne Disease

Civil Engineering Graduate Seminar April 5th:
Time: 4-5pm, Thursday (April. 5th); location: Dow 642, Public welcome

Topic: Climate Informed Flood Risk Projections
Presenter: Casey Fritsch, Master student, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, (Adviser: Dr. Veronica Griffis)

Abstract: Standard procedures for forecasting flood risk (Bulletin 17B) assume annual maximum flood (AMF) series are stationary, meaning the distribution of flood flows is not significantly affected by climatic trends/cycles, or anthropogenic activities within the watershed. Historical flood events are therefore considered representative of future flood occurrences, and the risk associated with a given flood magnitude is modeled as constant over time. However, in light of increasing evidence to the contrary, this assumption should be reconsidered, especially as the existence of nonstationarity in AMF series can have significant impacts on planning and management of water resources and relevant infrastructure. Research presented in this thesis quantifies the degree of nonstationarity evident in AMF series for unimpaired watersheds throughout the contiguous U.S., identifies meteorological, climatic, and anthropogenic causes of this nonstationarity, and proposes an extension of the Bulletin 17B methodology which yields forecasts of flood risk that reflect climatic influences on flood magnitude.

Mar 22: Civil Engineering Seminar:

Time: 4-5pm, Thursday (March. 22nd)
Location: Dow 642
Public welcome

Topic: Railroads and Environment – Steps in Locomotive and Power Development to Improve the Environmental Footprint of Rail Transportation

Presenter: Mike Iden – General Director, Car and Locomotive Engineering, Union Pacific Railroad
(hosted by Pasi Lautala)

Abstract: Railroads and rail transportation is often considered the “green” transportation alternative, but there is never-ending development process toward improving both the energy efficiency and the environmental footprint of rail transportation. One of the greatest priorities has been locomotives, whether it has been in reducing emissions or in improving operational practices toward better fuel consumption. This presentation will review some of the latest and future advances related to the development of north American diesel locomotives that today dominate the market. The difference between on-board power (diesel-electric or other prime movers) versus centralized power (“electrification”) will also be discussed, including technical and economic issues.