Capstone Design Spring 2021

Project Partners: University of Tennessee, Knoxville Utilities Board, First Utility District
Team Members: Ahmed Elnasri, Antonio Gachupin, Noah Miller

The objective of this project is to enhance the quality and accuracy of the current wastewater virus detection procedures being utilized at the University of Tennessee, Knoxville. The project team intends to accomplish this by implementing methods to obtain more representative wastewater samples. Optimal sample collection methods and timing will be determined through thorough analysis and incorporation of wastewater flow data in combination with a fecal contamination indicator. Sampling port locations will be reevaluated and possibly relocated according to the piping infrastructure, in attempts to capture primarily blackwater for testing.

Project Partners: McGhee Tyson Airport, Center for Transportation Research, LDA Engineering
Team Members: Luke Edwards, Tyler Bomar, Sam Enders, Scott Cole, Matthew Dearborn

A plot of land at McGhee Tyson Airport was selected to allow for the future expansion of private air-travel operation facilities to include a new parking lot, new terminal and office area, and new hangars and taxilanes for Federal Aviation Administration designated Group I jets. Engineering services for this project include site development, stormwater management design, structural design, and construction engineering. Civil site work was completed to design connection to existing infrastructure and develop an efficient layout for the movement of vehicles, pedestrians, and supplies. Stormwater management services are completed to provide adequate drainage accommodating the existing and new site infrastructure. Structural design was completed applying necessary gravity and lateral loading cases and analyzing these cases for proper member and connection design. Foundation design was performed to adequately transfer loads from structural members to the subsurface. Construction engineering services were provided to develop a construction schedule, determine materials quantities, and create an estimate of probable cost.

Project Partners: TDOT
Team Members: Justin Godwin, Benjamin Knickerbocker, Aris Welden, Reese Shoesmith, Nicholas Simmons

Redesigns of the lanes, drainage, and traffic devices of the SR-113 and SR-341 intersection are necessary to reduce crashes, side street queuing, and improve driver/pedestrian safety. An analysis of the current lane widths and configuration will be conducted to evaluate the safety and performance of the roadway for drivers and pedestrians alike. A pavement design will be devised to adequately support the intersection’s environment and traffic loads informed by AASHTO specifications. The current signalization of the intersection will be assessed to evaluate the opportunity to reduce crash rates and queuing times through an improved traffic control system and pedestrian safety infrastructure. Structural and geotechnical design work will be performed for traffic control devices needed as informed by improvements proposed in response to the transportation assessment work. An analysis of the stormwater system of the intersection will be completed to assess the existing infrastructure’s cross drain design capacities and determine modifications to maintain positive gravity flow. An estimate of probable cost for the project will be determined through unit cost analysis guided by a proposed construction schedule and traffic control plan.

Project Partners: TDOT
Team Members: Benny Foster, John Hughes, Matthew Montgomery, Paul Thompson, Andrew Warren, and Trey Wilcox

In accordance with the recommendations presented by TDOT and an assessment of the project site, this team presents engineered designs, construction-ready drawings, and an estimate of probable cost for the replacement of the bridge crossing over Norfolk Southern Railway and the widening and realignment of adjoining sections of AFG Road. AFG Road was realigned to accommodate a new bridge, widened to meet TDOT standards for the minimum width of county roads, and reconnected with existing driveways affected by the new alignment. A traffic control plan was developed to ensure safety during construction. Structural analysis was performed to design a bridge to accommodate the new roadway alignment and clearance requirements for the underlying railroad. Abutments and piers of the new bridge were designed to offer structural stability on existing soil and rock. Pavement was designed to provide adequate service for heavy truck traffic. The design of stormwater infrastructure ensured the prevention of flooding on the roadway and the controlled conveyance of surface water from the bridge to surrounding streams. Project scheduling and estimated total project costs were determined.

Project Partners: First Utility District, Alcalde de Cemaco, Panama-Solea Water
Team Members: Cameron Neary, Ashley Pelham, Yousef Rghebi, Andrew Tsay

This team designed improvements to the floating intake system that takes into consideration durability during high flow events and maintenance ease while also taking into account the local concerns of material acquisition, training, and cost. Since the drag force and captured debris during floods have negative effects on the current design, concepts of hydrodynamics and statics as well as damage prevention planning was considered to design a durable flotation system for the intake structure. To address the risk of anchorage failure due to high stream velocities and debris, structural analysis was performed to design a durable anchorage system that can withstand the expected conditions during high flow events. To prevent clogging due to turbid 99water during floods, hydraulic concepts and operational logistics were considered to design an effective filtration system for the pump intake that requires less frequent and strenuous maintenance. To further assist in the management of the sediment loading on the pump during floods, a turbidity diagnostics and data collection system was designed.

Project Partners: City of Oak Ridge, S&ME
Team Members: Andrew Granger, Ben Coughenour, Jonathan Dean, Ken Kolesar, Nick Coates

Development of design solutions for the pedestrian connections between Jefferson Middle School in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, the Cedar Barrens Natural Area, and the recently proposed rails-to-trails greenway along Fairbanks Road were performed to improve safe access to these amenities for pedestrians and cyclists. A traffic assessment was performed on the intersection of Fairbanks and Dayton Roads and compared to a single historical traffic assessment to capture existing vehicular and pedestrian access at the site. In response to the assessment, improvements have been designed to comply with ADA criteria, encourage safe vehicular-pedestrian interactions, and satisfy MUTCD and AASHTO stipulations. Watershed delineation and runoff calculations were used to safely convey stormwater from the site. Through unit cost analysis, an estimate of probable cost has been developed, informed by an erosion control plan, project-specific equipment recommendations, and a proposed construction schedule.

Project Partners: Maryville City Schools, City of Maryville
Team Members: Ethan Mccutcheon, Peyton Mize, Brandon Parkinson, Alyse Perdue, Jonathon Vance

The Maryville High School Expansion draws on services rendered from concentrations of civil engineering to provide a design meeting the criteria and guidelines as given by the client. Civil site services included the site survey and regrading plan for the new design including soil quantity calculations. The soil testing and topographic analysis were vital to the structural shell of the desired 35-classroom building and to more expansions further in the future. The topographic survey assisted in the structural design of the pedestrian bridge design, which connected the existing science wing to the new structure. Once the proper testing of the soil was conducted, the rerouting of the bus lane, alignment of Highland Avenue, and reconfiguration of interior campus roads were completed with the support of traffic analysis data. Appropriate locations of city utility connections were established, surrounding watersheds were delineated, and an appropriate stormwater retention and runoff reduction system were designed. Following the design preliminaries, a rough cost estimation and timeline were calculated based on all the sections of the design process.

Project Partners: City of Oak Ridge, S&ME
Team Members: Jacob Chisholm, Parker Smithson, Caleb Svensson, Jake Ward

This team developed a regenerative stormwater conveyance (RSC) design approach for the stream restoration of Pistol Creek. Preliminary assessments for the physical parameters, water quality, and species identification of the stream were conducted to best design for the needs of the Pistol Creek tributary. The engineering analysis for the geology, hydrology, and hydraulics of Pistol Creek was determined with the instruction of RSC specific guidelines. The final design then combined the engineering analysis rendered with the system sizing parameters needed for an RSC stream, and an environmental enhancement prediction was performed to support the completed design. Once the design was complete, construction techniques as well as an offered monitoring plan were detailed for the client to utilize.

Project Partners: City of Knoxville and S&ME
Team Members: Tanner Kesterson, Jordan Woodward, Emane Menad, Dawson Bell

A selected area of Baker Creek has been assessed for remediation efforts to enhance the overall quality of the creek. To mitigate these issues, this team performed an analysis of a reference reach portion of the stream through surveying and identifying natural features of the creek to understand the contributing factors to current stream conditions. Hydrological assessment of stormwater infiltration and stream geometry was performed through modeling to propose adequate stream characteristics. Erosion control recommendations were identified through assessing geotechnical aspects as well as the creek’s hydrology. Water quality was assessed through sampling and testing, and a system of riparian vegetation was designed to improve ecological health of the stream. Construction quantities and cost estimates were compiled to estimate the cost for restoration.

Project Partners: UT Research Park, UT School of Landscape Architecture, UT Department of Anthropology, Gresham Smith
Team Members: Erin Collins, Mason Hill, Megan Pitts, Sara Madgett

This team is responsible for developing alternative stabilization options for the Tennessee River shoreline at Cherokee Research Park and creating opportunities for river interaction. Analysis of existing conditions to determine the current stability and environmental status of the shoreline was accomplished through geotechnical, hydrologic, and ecological engineering. Erosion modeling was completed, informed by landscape architecture recommendations, to produce four shoreline enhancement designs. Stormwater management services included hydraulic analysis in addition to geotechnical and structural design to support the proposed infrastructure. Structural and geotechnical analyses were performed to create an ADA-compliant boardwalk and dock. Construction scheduling, pricing, and permitting for proposed design elements was also completed.

Project Partners: Chelaque Estates and Marina, Haines Structural Group
Team Members: Kevin Stegner, Matt Replogle, Shayan Seyfimakrani, Caleb Rose, Morgan Harris

The scope of work for this project at Chelaque Marina is to develop predictive and preventative measures through structural analysis to maximize the life of the marina while being cognizant of a fiscal budget. Anchor cables and blocks stabilizing the marina dock will be analyzed to determine their capacity and ability to resist design loading events. The deterioration of the styrofoam floatation system will be analyzed to address potential environmental concerns. Construction engineering services will need to be performed after analysis of the structural integrity of the dock and supporting cables to strategize a method for repair, rehabilitation, or replacement. Additionally, an investigation into the implications of taking no action is requested, along with a report of the possible impact on cost and future repairs.

Project Partners: CEE, CEC Engineering
Team Members: Zaina Abou Janb, Hudson White, Matthew Galvin, Daniel Zou, Vincent Ha

The technical scope of this work entails design and construction of an indoor testbed to allow for UT faculty to evaluate pathogenic transmission in an indoor space. The project requires engineering services in construction engineering, structural engineering, and environmental engineering. The work includes initial research to assemble desirable study parameters for examination in the testbed in coordination with an extensive network of potential researchers intended to use the testbed facility. Preliminary design concepts are required to evaluate specific traits such as modularity, ease of modification and customization, and control of systems and conditions in the space. Material selection and construction sequencing is needed to consider the flexibility of the final space and ensure construction of a prototype is feasible in a confined space available for mock-up. Proximity to utilities for use in construction and in the final facility itself influence the design process. A construction schedule, estimate of probable cost, engineering drawings, and affiliated design work will be presented to the client.

Project Partners: City of Alcoa, Gresham Smith
Team Members: Jimmy Albert, Nick Cheney, Josue Garduno, Will Huettner, Heather Scott

The primary scope of work for this project in Alcoa, Tennessee, is to improve safety and accessibility for all modes of transportation along the selected Alcoa Highway corridor while creating economic development for commercial businesses located in the vicinity of the site. Geotechnical analysis of existing soil conditions will be evaluated to understand site characteristics. A design of three typical conceptual layouts will be generated to understand layout feasibility. A proper cycle length will be identified to best match the traffic flow on the respective layout as well as accompanying traffic signal timing diagrams. Traffic simulation software will be utilized to help visualize the proposed signals ability to properly handle various traffic volumes while minimizing congestion. Analysis of construction costs are to be evaluated to understand the cost effectiveness of the project.

Photo provided by Lochner and TDOT