CIV307 Stage 3 Project Titles

2004-5

  1. Reproducibility of portable respirometry equipment for screening influents to activated sludge wastewater treatment plants (Dr C Weatherell) Respirometry is a popular tool in the operational control and modelling of biological wastewater treatment. For example, it can be used to test for any adverse effects of high strength or potentially toxic influents before they are allowed into an activated sludge tank. A simple laboratory method was developed for measuring photosynthesis under varying light conditions. Without the light component, the method works essentially like a small respirometer. The aim of this project is therefore to test whether this method is effective as a portable respirometer for screening influents to activiated sludge wastewater treatment plants.
  1. Risk Assessment of Geotechnical Structures. (Prof B Clarke)The concept that highways and railways are created on a geotechnical structures that have a value is current Government thinking. An assessment of the infrastructure will help produce a business plan which will include a maintenance programme. This is seen to be a more efficient way of managing the nation’s assetts. The project will include identification of appropriate methods of risk assessment and the use of the tools to assess key geotechnical structures in the north east.
  1. The influence of deposition processes on glacial till.(Prof B Clarke)Much of the UK is constructed in glacial till yet our knowledge of this material is very limited. This has led to catastrophic failures leading to loss of property, delays in construction, and interruptions to commerce. Glacial till is unlike many other soils because of the deposition process. This project is a laboratory based project to test material in the soils liberty to try an copy the deposition processes and thus identify the infuence they have upon the properties of glacial till
  1. Apparatus for the determination of the shear properties of fabrics. (Dr P Gosling) The current biaxial test is to be extended to enable the determination of shear properties. The project will involve the design, analysis and manufacture of an item of equipment to be used in conjunction with the biaxial test rig initially, before transfer to a uniaxial tester for the determination of the material properties. (See Japanese Test Method doc – [BNB folder])
  1. Wide-panel uni-axial and bi-axial tear tests. (Dr P Gosling) The tear propagation properties of PVC coated polyester and PTFE coated glass fibre fabrics will be determined from a series of tests and compared with uni-axial ultimate values.
  1. Folding effects on PVC and PTFE structural fabrics. (Dr P Gosling) The effects of single and double folds on the strengths of PVC coated polyester and PTFE coated glass fabrics will be examined systematically, leading to an empirical formulation to quantify the strength degradation.
  1. Reliability-based determination of the stiffnesses and strengths of PVC and PTFE structural fabrics. (Dr P Gosling) Test data from historic and current projects will be used to derive statements of the stiffnesses and strengths of structural fabrics in a similar manner for steel, concrete, timber, etc.. A physical analogue of the fabric behaviour (developed as part of a PhD project) will be used to establish the probabilities of failure related to stiffness and strength.
  1. Reliability-based determination of the stiffnesses and strengths glass-reinforced plastics. (Dr P Gosling) This project is similar to the one above but with the physical analogue derived from micro-mechanics.
  1. Use of Waste Products in Concrete Building Blocks. (Dr. S. Glendinning)
  1. Dewatering Sports Pitches using Electrokinetics. (Dr. S. Glendinning)
  1. Assessing the Impact of Road Safety Cameras in Northumbria. (Mr. N. Thorpe)Using data available from the Northumbria Safety Camera Partnership on casualties, collisions, public opinion etc assess how well the introduction of new fixed, mobile and red light cameras in Northumbria is achieving its stated objective of casualty reduction.
  1. Arsenic Contamination in the Sediments from Sulaibakhat Bay, Kuwait. (Dr B Jones)SulaibakhatBay is a semi-enclosed embayment on the southern shore of KuwaitBay. It is adjacent to ShuwaikhPort, one of the main commercial ports in Kuwait, and receives discharges from urban, commercial, industrial and recreational sources. The aim of this project is to support an on-going PhD through the analysis of a SulaibakhatBay sample set for arsenic and possibly other trace metals.
  1. The potential effects of sea-level rise on coastal infrastructure (Dr E Valentine). The morphology on sand beach and soft cliff coastlines is very sensitive to sea-level variation. Asglobal warmingoccurs it is now accepted that sea-level rise willfollow. There is a strong need to predict which coastal structures (protection, harbours etc) will no longer function, which will need replacement, and which coastal zones should be abandoned.
  1. The effect of blast excavated underground cavities on structures. (Dr J Bull) To consider the effect in the changes of shape of blast excavated underground cavities on structures that overlay the cavity.
  1. The repair of roads and runways with steel plates to prevent road and runwaycollapse into voids. (Dr J Bull) Weak sub-bases beneath a runway can cause significant surface displacements of the runway. To affect a rapid and permanent repair it is envisaged that steel plates will be secured to improve the strength of the runway and reduce the runway deflections.
  1. The repair of roads and runways with high strength concrete to prevent road and runwaycollapse into voids. (Dr J Bull) Weak sub-bases beneath a runway can cause significant surface displacements of the runway. To affect a rapid and permanent repair it is envisaged that the failed concrete will be replaced with high strength concrete to improve the strength of the runway and reduce the runway deflections.
  1. Reducing the deflection of aluminium bridges. (Dr J Bull) Aluminiumbridge structures are unique structures. In recent years, there has been increased interest in new bridge materials, such as aluminium. Its lightweight and corrosion resistance provides opportunities for its use in special situations. Additional research that addresses the behaviour of full-scale aluminium members needs to be conducted to provide behavioural characteristics that can be incorporated into additional design recommendations for aluminiumbridge structures and components. This project considers ways in which existing aluminium bridges can be strengthened to reduce bridge deflections and increase fatigue life.
  1. An assessment of natural fluorescence as a surrogate for standard parameters of pollution in wastewater. (Dr P Sallis) The project will characterise a range of wastewater samples from various sources using two approaches. First, standard wet chemical analyses, widely employed by the Environment Agency and water companies in assessing pollutional load (e.g. ammonia, total organic carbon, COD), will be carried out and statistical correlation with data generated by the second method, fluorescence spectrometry, determined. The results will identify whether fluorescence measurements could be used in the future as a surrogate parameter for quantifying the level of organic pollution in wastewaters.
  1. Assessment of the potential for micro-scale geothermal energy in the UK. (Dr G Parkin) The government is committed to increasing the proportion of energy generated in the UK from renewable sources. A number of approaches to developing micro-scale renewable energy sources are being studied, one of which is geothermal energy. The project will assess the factors affecting the efficiency of existing installations in the North-East and Cumbria, and assess the potential for development of similar systems nationally.
  1. Characterisation of the Peat Slide of 19/20 August 2004 near St John's Chapel, Co Durham. (Dr J Bathurst) The project will investigate a peat slide which occurred in August 2004 on the road from St John's Chapel to Langdon Beck. The tasks will be to survey the peat slide, determine the hydrological and geotechnical conditions behind its occurrence and carry out some simple dynamical calculations. It will be a field-based project with desk (computer) calculations. Basic surveying and numeracy skills required and an ability to enjoy high windy places.
  1. Flash-floods: assessment of vulnerability of UK to flash floods in light of Boscastle event (C Kilsby). Aim: identify the hydrological, geographic and engineering aspects which lead to dangerous flash flooding. Assess the type and number of locations elsewhere in UK (and/or in the north-east) which are vulnerable and advise on methods of early warning or mitigation. (liaison with Environment Agency).
  1. Hydraulic properties of soils and glacial drift in Cumbria (Dr G Parkin).Groundwater recharge rates, and the corresponding movement of agricultural pollutants such as nitrates leaching from soils, are controlled by the properties of soils and glacial drift deposits. A study is being carried out into the effect of distribution of glacial drift on recharge rates and water quality, in collaboration with the Environment Agency and British Geological Survey. This project will contribute to this study by conducting field and laboratory assessment of physical and hydraulic properties of soils and glacial drift material from borehole cores in the Eden catchment, Cumbria.
  1. Comparison of proposed Eurocodes with current British Standards relating to the design of reinforced concrete structures.(Dr D Lilley) The project will involve: literature review; design of reinforced concrete beams of various spans, sizes and loadings; cost comparisons; assessment of design times and associated costs.
  1. Comparison of permissible stress and ultimate limit state methods for design of structural steelwork. (Dr D Lilley) Literature review of BS449, BS5950, BS5400 and proposed Eurocodes; design of steel beams of various spans, sizes and loadings; cost comparisons; assessment of design times and associated costs.
  2. Cementitious grouts for geothermal systems (Professor David Manning)Geothermal energy is exploited through extraction of hot water from suitable sources, via closed system deep circulation of a fluid that picks up heat, or using ground source heat pumps. In the last two of these, the efficiency of the system depends on the thermal conductivity of the barrier between the circulating fluid and the source of heat (usually a hot rock).This project involves a review of materials available to prepare grouts suitable for use in geothermal systems. Such grout needs to have a high thermal conductivity. This can be achieved using (a) special cements and/or (b) specific grout constituents with high thermal conductivity. The outcome of the work will be a report that recommends specific materials for physical testing. The report may include results of thermal modelling work if appropriate.The work will be carried out in the context of the Eastgate Geothermal Project, which involves a 1km deep borehole close to the Lafarge cementworks site. The success of this scheme will in part depend on solving the technical problems that are addressed by this project.

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