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.
2. 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.
3. 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
4. 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])
5. 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.
6. 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.
7. 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.
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8. 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.
9. Use of Waste Products in Concrete Building Blocks. (Dr. S. Glendinning)
10. Dewatering Sports Pitches using Electrokinetics. (Dr. S. Glendinning)
11. 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.
12. Arsenic Contamination in the Sediments from Sulaibakhat Bay, Kuwait. (Dr B
Jones) Sulaibakhat Bay is a semi-enclosed embayment on the southern shore of Kuwait
Bay. It is adjacent to Shuwaikh Port, 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 Sulaibakhat Bay
sample set for arsenic and possibly other trace metals.
13. 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.
As global warming occurs it is now accepted that sea-level rise will follow. 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.
14. 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.
15. The repair of roads and runways with steel plates to prevent road and
runway collapse 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.
16. The repair of roads and runways with high strength concrete to prevent road and
runway collapse 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.
17. Reducing the deflection of aluminium bridges. (Dr J Bull) Aluminium bridge
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
aluminium bridge structures and components. This project considers ways in which
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existing aluminium bridges can be strengthened to reduce bridge deflections and increase
fatigue life.
18. 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.
19. 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.
20. 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.
21. 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).
22. 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.
23. 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.
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24. 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.
25. 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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