Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Events for March
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Biodynamic Modeling of Legacy and Emerging Contaminants
Thu, Mar 01, 2007 @ 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:
Dr. Pamela McLeod,
Stanford University,
Civil & Environmental EngineeringAbstract:
Understanding the biological uptake of xenobiotics from contaminated sediment and water remains an important challenge for scientists and engineers. Knowledge of uptake processes and mechanisms enables us to model contaminant bioaccumulation in target species and also helps us design novel treatment strategies and predict the biological impact of perturbations to natural systems. My research advances biodynamic modeling as a tool to understand the uptake of organic contaminants to a variety of aquatic macro-invertebrates. Specifically, I will discuss uptake of polychlorinated biphenyls (PCBs) from contaminated field sediment to two clam species (Macoma balthica and Corbicula fluminea) and a worm (Lumbriculus variegatus). Through biodynamic modeling, I discerned the impact of organism feeding strategy on PCB uptake, and predicted decreases in bioaccumulation after the sediment was amended with activated carbon in the laboratory. Similarly, biodynamic modeling successfully predicted uptake of dichlorodiphenyltrichloroethane (DDT) from contaminated field sediment by a mussel (Mytilus edulis) before and after activated carbon amendment. Finally, applying biodynamics to systems with laboratory-spiked perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) and L. variegatus provided insights into the effects of PFC chain length and hydrophobicity on overall uptake and exposure pathways. In addition to these completed studies, I will discuss ongoing work in which we are exploring the ability of biodynamic modeling to (1) predict which types of organisms may recolonize a PCB-contaminated site following sediment remediation, and (2) understand the biological impacts of using PFC-contaminated recycled water for ecosystem restoration.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Colorado River Aqueduct Inspecion Tour
Fri, Mar 02, 2007 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
SPEAKER:Ben Willardson, P.E.,
Los Angeles County Department of Public Works,
Water Resources DivisionABSTRACT The Colorado River Aqueduct is a vital feature in the water supply system for Southern California. The aqueduct system delivers water from the Colorado River to Lake Matthews in Riverside County. The water is then distributed by the Metropolitan Water District to its member agencies. This presentation results from a recent inspection tour of the Aqueduct and the facilities that help bring this important resource to the populated areas in Southern California. The presentation provides information on Parker Dam, construction and features of the aqueduct, and the construction of Diamond Valley Lake. The Colorado River Aqueduct was selected as one of the "Seven Wonders of American Engineering" by the American Society of Civil Engineers in 1994.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Measurement and methods of assessing the impact of prevalent particulate matter.....
Mon, Mar 05, 2007 @ 11:00 AM - 01:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
SEMINAR ORAL DEFENSE OFHarish Phuleria,
ENE Student"Measurement and methods of assessing the impact of prevalent particulate matter sources on air quality in Southern California".Abstract:Recent focus of studies on health effects of ambient particulate matter (PM) have suggested particle chemical composition in addition to particle size, shape and number concentration responsible for the observed health outcomes. However, chemical composition and size distribution of the atmospheric particles can be strongly affected by the differences in ambient temperature, relative humidity, photochemical activity and source contributions. This thesis is intended to demonstrate the importance of characterizing predominant PM sources from an exposure perspective and develop methods of assessing their impact on air quality in Southern California. A study of particle number concentration and size distribution showed seasonal and spatial variability in Southern California. While contribution of local vehicular emissions was most evident in winter, effects of long-range transport of particles and photochemical particle formation were enhanced during warmer periods. Ship emissions are found to be dominant source of lower accumulation and ultrafine particles near ports. Utilizing the "opportunistic" data from the air pollution studies during the October 2003 fires, the actual impact of the wildfires is studied on air quality in urban Los Angeles. The wildfires caused the greatest increases in PM10 levels while ozone concentrations dropped during the fire episode and these fire-borne particles were shown to effectively penetrate indoors. To characterize the emission profiles from on-road diesel and gasoline vehicle-fleets, size-segregated PM samples were collected inside the Caldecott tunnel in Orinda, CA and analyzed for vehicular organic tracers such as hopanes and steranes, and polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs). In a separate study, detailed information on the chemical characteristics of organic PM originating from a pure gasoline and a diesel dominated mixed-traffic freeway is obtained. While hopanes and steranes, and high molecular weight PAHs levels are found comparable near these freeways, elemental carbon and lighter molecular weight PAHs are found much elevated near diesel dominated mixed-fleet freeway. Remarkably good agreement is observed between the roadside measurements and the emission factors calculated from the tunnel measurements especially for hopanes and steranes. Our results indicate that the fleet composition as well as atmospheric dilution has strong impact on the ambient concentrations of these organic tracers.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielilan Hall, Room 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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3D Ground Motion Simulation of the Grenoble Valley
Wed, Mar 07, 2007 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Dr. Marco Stupazzini,
Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences,
Ludwig-Maximilians-University,
Munich, GermanyAbstract:ABSTRACT - The spectral element method (SEM) is a powerful numerical technique naturally suited for seismic wave propagation analyses. A class of SEM has been widely used in the seismological field thanks to its capability of providing high accuracy and allowing the implementation of optimized parallel algorithms. In this contribution, the capabilities of SEM based GeoELSE code are illustrated, to deal with the seismic response of a 3D model of the sedimentary basin of Grenoble (French Alps). The model is excited by seismic waves originated by a strong motion scenario earthquake of MW = 6. Synthetic ground motions are calculated for all the recording sites prescribed in the framework of the ESG06 benchmark. The simulations take simultaneously into account the 3D topography of the area, the alluvial basin structure and the variation of mechanical properties throughout the valley.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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FLOW VARIABILITY AND LABOR PRODUCTIVITY LOSS FOR CONSTRUCTION PROJECTS
Thu, Mar 08, 2007 @ 02:30 PM - 04:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:
Min Liu,
Ph.D. Candidate, University of California, Berkeley,Abstract
Lost labor productivity loss is one of the primary contributors to the cost and schedule overruns that affect many construction projects. Quantifying lost labor productivity on construction projects is difficult and sometimes subjective. A widely accepted way to quantify losses is the measured mile approach. In this research the measured mile and a variant, the baseline method, are analyzed and compared to a new, proposed statistical clustering method. The research explored applying a statistical clustering method in the measured mile and baseline calculation to inject objectivity in the analysis. The test on real data showed that the clustering method is more objective and therefore more convincing to both owners and contractors. The research also explored the relationship between flow variation and labor productivity. Identifying and quantifying the benefit of improving flow reliability can provide guidance for project managers to focus on the root causes of productivity loss in the planning stage. The research findings can also help consultants locate the causes and quantify responsibility of productivity loss in claims. Computer simulation and case study approaches were used to explore the correlation between flow variation and labor productivity.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall, 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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DURABILITY OF LOW-EMISSIONS SMALL OFF-ROAD ENGINES
Fri, Mar 09, 2007 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Hung-Li Chang, Ph.D.
California Environmental Protection Agency, Air Resources BoardThe purpose of this study was to determine whether catalyst technology could be applied to small off-road engines to provide 50% or greater reductions in hydrocarbons plus oxides of nitrogen (HC+NOx) emissions throughout the engines' useful lives. Low-emission engines were developed using three-way catalytic converters, passive secondary-air induction systems. Catalysts were integrated into the engine's mufflers, where feasible, to maintain a compact package. To enable HC oxidation under such rich conditions, a simple passive supplemental air induction system was developed. The main conclusions of this work are that catalyst technology can be successfully applied to small off-road engines; that such applications are durable; and that HC+NOx reductions of 50 70% were demonstrated over the useful lives of several small engines. The results of this program are significant because they show good catalyst performance can be achieved on small engines using the stock rich air/fuel calibration through the use of a novel supplementary air induction system.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Use of a Mobile Instrument Platform to Measure On-Road Concentrations...
Wed, Mar 21, 2007 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Use of a Mobile Instrument Platform to Measure On-Road Concentrations of Ultrafine Particles and Other Air Pollutants in Los Angeles Speaker:
Scott Fruin,
Environmental Health Division
Keck School of Medicine ,USCAbstract:Motor vehicles are the dominant source of oxides of nitrogen (NOx), particulate matter (PM), and many air toxics (e.g., benzene, 1,3-butadiene) in most urban areas. On roadways, motor vehicle-related pollutant concentrations are typically many times higher than ambient concentrations. Due to high air exchange rates typical of moving vehicles, this makes time spent in vehicles on roadways a major source of exposure. This talk presents on-road measurements for Los Angeles freeways and arterial roads taken from a zero-emission electric vehicle outfitted with real-time instruments. The objective was to characterize air pollutant concentrations on roadways and identify the factors associated with the highest concentrations. Our analysis demonstrated that on freeways, concentrations of ultrafine particles (UFP), black carbon, nitric oxide, and PM-bound PAH are generated primarily by diesel-powered vehicles, despite the relatively low average fraction (~6%) of diesel-powered vehicles on Los Angeles freeways. However, UFP concentrations on arterial roads appeared to be driven primarily by proximity to gasoline-powered vehicles undergoing hard accelerations from stops, and were roughly one-third the concentrations of freeways. By using a multiple regression model for the freeway measurements, we were able to explain 60 to 70% of the variability in concentrations of UFP, black carbon, nitric oxide, and PM-bound PAH using measures of diesel truck density and time of day. Freeway concentrations of these pollutants were also well correlated with readily-available annual average daily truck counts from CalTrans, potentially allowing improved population exposure estimates for epidemiology studies. Based on these roadway measurements and average driving time, it appears that about 40 to 50% of total UFP exposure for Los Angeles residents occurs due to time in vehicles.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Global Warming Regulations in California
Fri, Mar 23, 2007 @ 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Joseph Hower, P.E., DEE,
Managing Principal,
Environ International Southern California Operatiion,
Los AngelesAbstractCalifornia is once again on the leading edge of environmental regulatory developments with its adoption of Assembly Bill (AB) 32, which requires that California reduce its emissions of greenhouse gasses to 1990 levels by 2020. This represents a reduction in emissions of approximately 175 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions from current levels. The basics of greenhouse gases, control strategies, and the regulatory process will be discussed.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Effect of Global Warming Regulations in California
Fri, Mar 23, 2007 @ 01:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Joseph Hower, P.E., DEE,
Managing Principal,
Environ International Southern California Operatiion,
Los AngelesAbstractCalifornia is once again on the leading edge of environmental regulatory developments with its adoption of Assembly Bill (AB) 32, which requires that California reduce its emissions of greenhouse gasses to 1990 levels by 2020. This represents a reduction in emissions of approximately 175 million tons of CO2 equivalent emissions from current levels. The basics of greenhouse gases, control strategies, and the regulatory process will be discussed.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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An Overview of Research Activities of the Systems and Applied Mechanics.....
Mon, Mar 26, 2007 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
An Overview of Research Activities of the Systems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie:
Call for International CollaborationByDr. Slim Choura, s_choura@yahoo.comSystems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory
Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie
La Marsa, 2078, TUNISIAABSTRACTAn overview of the research activities conducted by the members of the Systems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory (SAML) at Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie, Tunisia, is first presented. Specific activities within the area of Civil Engineering are more emphasized. Second, a summary of the application of a rational methodology for the structural assessment of reinforced concrete bridges and historical buildings will be given. This methodology is based on ambient vibration measurement, identification modal signature and linear and nonlinear finite element model updating of these structures. Finally, SAML future research activities, which call for international collaboration, are presented.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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An Overview of Research Activities of the Systems and Applied Mechanics.....
Mon, Mar 26, 2007 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
An Overview of Research Activities of the Systems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory at Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie:
Call for International CollaborationByDr. Slim Choura,
s_choura@yahoo.comSystems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory
Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie
La Marsa, 2078, TUNISIAABSTRACTAn overview of the research activities conducted by the members of the Systems and Applied Mechanics Laboratory (SAML) at Ecole Polytechnique de Tunisie, Tunisia, is first presented. Specific activities within the area of Civil Engineering are more emphasized. Second, a summary of the application of a rational methodology for the structural assessment of reinforced concrete bridges and historical buildings will be given. This methodology is based on ambient vibration measurement, identification modal signature and linear and nonlinear finite element model updating of these structures. Finally, SAML future research activities, which call for international collaboration, are presented.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - rielian Hall 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Studies on Aerosol Impacts on Climate and Health
Wed, Mar 28, 2007 @ 02:00 PM - 03:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Speaker:Dr. Suzanne Paulson,
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering,
UCLAAbstract:1. Optical Properties, Measurement Uncertainties, and Health Impacts of Aerosol Particles
Black carbon and organic carbon aerosols have substantial effects on the Earth's climate, yet because of large uncertainties in both the optical properties, mass measurements and emissions of these materials, their impacts cannot be quantified with any accuracy. We are studying a series of model aerosols generated under realistic conditions using small engines and photochemical smog in a roof-top Teflon reaction chamber. Aerosols are characterized with an extensive suite of techniques including in situ optical and off-line optical to off-line mass and composition analyzers. Among these instruments is a new instrument to measure aerosol angular scattering. From this measurement we are developing a method to retrieve aerosol refractive indices from the data using a genetic algorithms approach.2. Aerosol Production of Hydrogen Peroxide
Recent epidemiological studies have shown a strong relationship between particulate pollution and health outcomes, including mortality. Determining the 'causative agent' in particles responsible for damaging health is the subject of increasing study, but many questions remain. Reactive oxygen species, including hydrogen peroxide, are candidates for part of the adverse health effects caused by particle inhalation. In this project, aerosol borne oxidants are being characterized, investigating the relationship between these toxic compounds and location, source type, aerosol type, and photochemical activity. Additionally, laboratory studies on model systems are underway to determine the source and behavior of peroxides in aerosols.Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 203
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes
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Advancing the field of conservation of the worlds H,eritage ...
Fri, Mar 30, 2007 @ 01:00 PM - 02:00 PM
Sonny Astani Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
Conferences, Lectures, & Seminars
Francois LeBlanc,
Head, Field Project,
Getty Conservation Institute,
Los Angeles, CAAdvancing the field of conservation of the world's heritage - The international work of the
Getty Conservation InstituteAbstractThe Getty Conservation Institute is one of four J. Paul Getty Trust programs. It works internationally to advance the field of conservation. It focuses on important conservation issues that most other international institutions do not cover. It has activities in more than 25 countries. The seminar will give a brief overview of some of these activities and describe the scientific research work being carried out in the GCI's science laboratories.
Location: Kaprielian Hall (KAP) - 156
Audiences: Everyone Is Invited
Contact: Evangeline Reyes