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This paper analyzes the results of a driven pile side shear setup (SSS) test program performed at the University of Florida and described in a companion paper. All pile segments showed SSS, with similar magnitudes in both cohesionless and cohesive soils, and irrespective of depth. Horizontal effective stresses increased after driving, but then stabilized as induced pore pressures dissipated. SSS continued long after pore pressure dissipation due to other aging effects. Pile load tests in all soil types, and standard penetration tests with torque measurement (SPT-T) in cohesive soils, confirmed the approximate semilog-linear time versus SSS behavior and the usefulness of the setup factor A. Staged (repeated) tests significantly increased SPT-T measurements, suggesting a reduction factor of 0.4 for SSS results measured by staged testing. We believe that engineers can now include SSS in routine design, using a minimum setup factor A=0.1 for soils similar to those tested, or higher if supported by dynamic or static pile tests, or by SPT-T predictor tests. Examples demonstrate a proposed SSS design method. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Despite societal expectations that graduate students in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) disciplines integrate broader impacts into their professional activities, few of them actually receive any formal training in this area. This paper describes a graduate seminar entitled “Broader Impacts of Natural Sciences on Society” taught at the University of Florida in 2006 and 2008. In addition to course goals, recruitment, expectations, format, content, and outcomes, this paper describes challenges and recommendations for others who might want to teach a similar course. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper presents a detailed investigation of warping-related stresses in 18 composite steel-concrete box girder bridges. The bridge designs were adapted from blueprints of existing bridges in the state of Florida and encompass a wide range of parameters including horizontal curvature, cross-sectional properties, and number of spans. The bridges after which the analysis prototypes are modeled were designed by different firms and constructed at different times and are considered to be representative of current design practice. Forces are evaluated from analyses that account for the construction sequence and the effect of warping. Loading is considered following the 1998 AASHTO-LRFD provisions. Differences between stresses obtained taking warping into account and those calculated by ignoring warping are used to evaluate the effect of warping. Analysis results show that warping has little effect on both shear and normal stresses in all bridges. Current design provisions are discussed in light of the analysis results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The South Florida Water Management District, in partnership with other agencies and stakeholders, is undertaking one of the world's largest ecosystem restoration programs. The foundation of the nutrient control program for the Everglades is a set of six large constructed wetlands, referred to as Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs). The initial treatment goal is to reduce phosphorus entering the Everglades to 50 parts per billion. The STAs comprise almost 17,000 hectares, with a capital cost of approximately $700 million. Approximately 4,720 hectares are currently operational, another 2,600 hectares are in the start-up phase, and construction is just getting under way on the remaining areas. Throughout the design process, engineers and scientists collaborated to capture the best available information on wetland treatment systems, and to develop the most appropriate design criteria. Some of the more challenging issues included characterizing stormwater inflows and phosphorus loads, determining appropriate nutrient removal performance characteristics, and estimating hydraulic design parameters relating to densely vegetated systems. The design process combined in-house staff with engineering consultants, construction contractors, external review groups and independent peer-review. This paper summarizes major design aspects and key assumptions, and sets the stage for addressing future challenges associated with achieving long-term water quality goals of Everglades restoration.

The article provides information on the 136th Annual Meeting & Exhibition of The Minerals, Metals and Materials Society (TMS) to be held in Orlando, Florida in 2007. Among the highlights of the event are the presentation of the largest number of papers and the unveiling of the ten greatest moments in materials science and engineering.

An essay is presented on challenges and opportunities in the engineering disciplines to a successful renewable energy transition. It offers the contours of the "engineering challenge," wherein both engineers and nonengineers differ significantly in conceptualization of the boundaries between "policy" and " engineering." The author mentions a conference in Florida in May 2003 that patterns science, sustainability and engineering into a more ordered and standardized form.

Longitudinal gradients in phosphorus (P) stored in the water column, vegetation, and soils develop in the wetlands where inflow P concentrations exceed background levels. Before the mid 1990's, the Everglades regional P gradient ranged from 100-200 mg L-1 in marsh inflows to background levels of 4-8 mg L-1. Subsequent implementation of P controls, including agricultural Best Management Practices and Stormwater Treatment Areas (STAs), has reduced the average inflow concentration along the northern edge of the Water Conservations Areas to approximately 30-50 mg L-1. Additional P controls are being implemented and further measures beyond those currently planned will be required to restore the entire marsh. The authors describe the evolution and application of relatively simple mass-balance models to simulate P storage and cycling processes along P gradients in the STAs and marsh. The models are practical tools with historical and future applications to designing P control measures involving source controls, water management, reservoirs, and STAs, as well as forecasting marsh responses to implementation of those control measures. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A sand deficit on Florida's Atlantic coast affects sea turtle nesting, dune ecosystems, and storm protection. Ecological benefits of restoring very large deficits could exceed ecological costs. Dredging and beach nourishment databases revealed sand disposal dynamics and deficit size. Dredge-and-fill activities increased after 1950, peaked in the 1980s, then declined somewhat. Most sand disposal accompanied channel and harbor deepening; little was primarily for beach nourishment. Until the 1970s most dredged material was placed outside the coastal sand-sharing system (offshore and upland). After 1970, beach and nearshore disposal rapidly increased, but generally involved sand already within the system. Moreover, offshore and upland disposal did not immediately decline. To date, little sand has been returned. By 2003, net removal totaled ∼130 × 106 m3. Channels and harbors increased by ∼70 × 106 m3, leaving 60 × 106 m3 of standing sand deficit. Jetties could have redistributed another 70 × 106 m3 from beaches and dunes to inlet shoals. Overall, loss of beaches and dunes could approach 130 × 106 m3. Engineering responses to past objections have improved both habitat suitability and longevity of nourished beaches. Through field trials and adaptive management principles, ecologists could now develop beach nourishment into a management tool to rebuild lost habitat, restore the sand deficit, and stockpile additional sand before nonessential channels and harbors are allowed to refill. With large projects, sand from offshore, upland, and ebb shoal sites and natural wave energy for stable beach building, beach and dune habitat can be restored within decades, better preparing threatened animals for rising sea level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Guidance regarding equilibrium beach profiles has been well established, although limited knowledge exists regarding the spatial and temporal variability of the equilibrium beach profile parameter for engineering usage, and limited data have been published regarding such changes. Additionally, the controlling parameter in the equilibrium beach profile theory depends on assumed depth of profile closure. Equilibrium beach profile theory is utilized herein to assess the spatial and temporal variability of beach profiles along the Florida Panhandle Coast to provide added empirical guidance on this subject. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Announces the AIENG 96: Eleventh International Conference on Artificial Intelligence in Engineering to be held in Clearwater Beach, Florida from September 11-13, 1996. Sponsors of the event; Contact information; Deadline for the submission of abstracts and final paper.