Connections Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering

Spring 2002 Volume 5 No. 1 A Huge Leap Forward in the Detection of Microorganisms ntil recently, microbial detection methods for microorganisms were mainly designed Uto identify one or perhaps a few organisms at a time. Develop-ments in genomics and DNA chip technology have made it possible to develop tools that may screen for all known bacteria, protozoa and viruses using a single test. The CEE department and MSU are major participants in such an effort effort: developing a low cost and high density DNA biochip for detecting thousands of unique micro-organisms or gene targets. Probes for this chip are being designed at the Center for Microbial Ecology (CME) at Michigan State University using the small subunit ribosomal RNA database (RDP-II; copyrighted by MSU) and other functional gene databases. MSU has selected Xeotron Corporation, a Houston, Texas based company, to refine the probe design and produce these unique chips. Xeotron has developed an innovative in situ synthesis biochip platform based on its Digital Photolithography, PGR Chemistry and Microfluidic Chip Design, with technologies licensed from the University of Michigan and University of Houston. Following a comprehensive testing by CME, this DNA biochip will be marketed by Xeotron, under a license from MSU and UM.

This microbial screening tool will contain a comprehensive set of phylogenetic and functional gene probes, covering thousands of known microbial species, functions, and strains of medical, economic, and environmental interest. It will also contain probes for broad-based screening of hitherto unknown microbial populations, serving as a surveillance tool for the unknown microbial world. The need for such a screening tool has been Also in this issue... recognized for years in many areas including diagnostics, air, water, food, Message from the animal and plant safety, soil and root microbial systems, waste treatment and, Chairperson 2 now, biodefense. The development of such a tool was hampered mainly due Thank You to Donors 4 to the lack of a high-density and low-cost biochip fabrication platform. The Alumni News 6 chip synthesis platform developed jointly at the University of Michigan and Department News 8 the University of Houston has solved this problem. Focus on Research 8 Lead collaborators in this project include Dr. Syed Hashsham (CEE), Student News 10 Dr. James Tiedje (director of CME at MSU), Dr. James Cole (manager of the Focus on Outreach 12 RDP at MSU) and Dr. Erdogan Gulari (University of Michigan and

Continued on page 2 2 Connections Spring 2002 Continued from page 1 Message from the Chair coinventor of the biochip synthesis platform). As many of you know, our new The design of unique probes to detect and identify Civil Infrastructure Laboratory thousands of microorganisms in parallel will utilize was dedicated on May 9th. It has existing databases of specific gene sequences. These been a wild roller-coaster ride, databases have been used in the past to develop probes and there were times I got so for detecting individual microorganisms. Newly- giddy that I almost fell off. But designed probes will target as many microorganisms as I’m glad I hung on, because this possible. Both phylogenetic and functional gene laboratory holds immense promise databases will be targeted to achieve both coarse and for the future of the department. fine screening of the microorganisms. The Ribosomal And the urgency could not have © Database Project (RDP-II ), which MSU manages, been any greater. The construction of this facility has represents the largest collection of publicly available attracted bright young faculty members from some of sequences of a single gene for this purpose. It cur- the best universities in the country. Without it we could rently has a library of 23,053 (full-length) annotated not excel in the civil infrastructure area, which is a and aligned rRNA sequences in a hierarchical phyloge- pillar of . With it we have tremendous netic framework. potential to be a national leader. The goal is to design oligonucleotide probes that As you can see from the Donor’s Page, we owe an maximize the number of individual microorganisms that enormous debt to those who supported, and continue can be discriminated by rRNA sequence data and that to support, this effort. The international reach of our place organisms not represented by database sequences relations with our alumni is highlighted by the major into the proper phylogenetic context. In addition, this gift from the Korean CEE alumni to the Civil Infra- technology will target selected groups of organisms structure Laboratory. This laboratory will be the and functions based on their structural genes. Data- cornerstone for the work of our faculty and students bases for important structural genes are slowly emerg- on the development and sustenance of Michigan’s and ing (e.g., for Salmonella, Escherichia coli, and Listeria in the nation’s civil infrastructure. The work performed food and water, nitrification in wastewater treatment, here will result in new and innovative structural and dehalogenases and oxygenases in remediation, etc.). pavement systems, and the development of new Sequence variations among these genes are capable of construction materials and admixtures capable of differentiating among various strains of important producing stronger and more durable structures. microorganisms and will be used to obtain a “strain spectrum” for specific groups of organisms. Before September 11, 2001, the challenge to engineers was to build structures that would withstand natural forces—earthquakes, tornadoes and hurricanes. Now engineers must build structures that will withstand extreme loads created by humans. Already MSU faculty Glossary are beginning to address this issue. DNA biochip: A miniature silicon surface contain- On a more day-to-day level, Michigan and the nation are ing thousands of gene probes in a thumbnail size faced with a huge inventory of deteriorating bridges, pave- area. Probe: A signature genetic sequence for an organ- ments and other infrastructure. We are working on the ism or gene. use of polymer composite materials and admixtures com- Small subunit ribosomal RNA: A molecule bined with traditional construction materials such as re- common in all living things. It is critical in making inforced , steel and wood. This work will pro- all proteins. duce new materials and innovative systems for restoring Functional Probe: Probes based on genes for a our deteriorated civil infrastructure and to create new, specific function. more durable structures. Phylogenetic probe: Probes based on the small subunit ribosomal RNA sequence. Dr. Rigoberto Burgueño, who has extensive experience Oligonucleotide probe: Short gene sequences, with large-scale structural testing and polymer compos- 20-70 nucleotides long. ite structures, will be the first chairperson of the user’s Spring 2002 Connections 3 agement Program that used to be housed within the group for this facility. Sia Ravanbakhsh will be the lab Department of Agricultural Engineering. Over a year supervisor. ago, the BCM program was transformed into a Our students are our future leaders in infrastructure standalone Construction Management Program. They engineering. This laboratory will enable graduate have three civil engineers and an architect on their students and undergraduate research interns to obtain faculty. hands-on experience with structural, pavement and material testing. There is no substitute for this experi- We have discussed for some time establishing a ence when learning about the behavior of civil infra- Construction Engineering and Management cognate structure systems and materials. This laboratory will within the BS in Civil Engineering. While a few small strengthen the education of our students. details still remain to be sorted out, we expect to launch this cognate next year. I think this will be good Of special significance this year is the retirement of for our students who are interested in construction, and Professor David Wiggert, who has been with the for many construction employers. We will seek em- department for 32 years. Several of you probably had ployer input regarding the curriculum as we go along. one or more courses related to fluid mechanics from him. He is a modest person, and did not want us to I’m also pleased to announce that the Christman organize any big retirement event or make any speeches Company has established a large endowment to fund about him. Let me, however, take the liberty of saying a undergraduate scholarships for students emphasizing few things about him. Dave is a co-author of a popular construction. The timing of this gift with the establish- introductory textbook on fluid mechanics. Dave’s ment of the Construction Engineering and Management research focused on wave mechanics and unsteady cognate could not have been any better. flows in fluid systems such as piping, ducting, rivers and channels. In collaboration with Frank Hatfield, A big success story this year is our Study Abroad Dave conducted a series of investigations on fluid- Program in Russia. This year 42 students, including four structure interaction in piping. Most recently, Dr. from Michigan Tech, participated in this program. The Wiggert has collaborated with colleagues in environ- credit for this phenomenal growth goes to Professor mental engineering to develop innovative bio- Tom Maleck, who along with Dr. Bill Taylor, has remediation methodologies in contaminated aquifers. tirelessly worked on this program for seven years. Students who participate in this program come back To honor his years of service, we have created a CEE with a deeper appreciation of foreign cultures, and the Student Award fund. If you have had Professor quality of life they enjoy here in the U.S. Wiggert as a teacher and would like to honor him, you may contribute toward this fund using the form on the Those are a few department tidbits. Please stay in touch last page and checking the appropriate box. with us. Let us know what is going on in your lives and careers, as well as how we can best serve all our The department is going through a period of renewal stakeholders. and rebirth. Professors Frank Hatfield, Bill Saul and Frank McKelvey retired during the last two years. Professors Mack Davis and Bill Taylor will follow Professor Wiggert in the next two years. We are filling open positions with young energetic faculty members, and in some cases by more experienced mid-career Update Contact Information people. & Share Your News

A new initiative we are about to launch is a Construc- Throughout Connections you will read about what tion Engineering and Management cognate within our faculty, students, and other alumni are doing. We undergraduate program. Our alumni and friends in the want to hear YOUR news as well. You can reach us through construction industry have been interested in such a the department’s Web Site: program, and I’m pleased that it has come about. Some of you may know of the Building Construction Man- http://www.egr.msu.edu/cee/alumni/alumniup.html 4 Connections Spring 2002

A Heartfelt “Thank You” to Contributors for Supporting the CEE Department

We are extremely grateful for the ongoing support the department has received from alumni and benefactors. Such support remains crucial to our efforts to sustain and improve the quality of our teaching, research, and outreach. The faculty, students and staff of the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering join in recognizing the following individuals and organiza- tions who have contributed to the department during 2001-2002.

Individuals: Special Recognition

Joseph & Diane Alberts The College of Engineering and the Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering David & Ruth Bates join in thanking alumni and friends who have taken a leadership role through major gifts Reginald & Lois Batzer and pledges to the Civil Infrastructure Laboratory. Ceo Bauer Timothy & Suzanne Benton Alton L. and Janice M. Granger Frank and Jean DeDecker James Berlow Great Lakes Promotion Faculty and staff of the Department James & Dorothy Blanchard Association, Inc. and its members: of Civil and Environmental Daniel Bond Cemex Engineering Lyle & Ruth Bornor Essroc Italcementi Group Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber, Inc. Kirk & April Branson Holcim, Inc. Larry J. Fleis, P.E. and Jackie Fleis Brad & Linda Brogren Lafarge North America Korean MSU Civil and Environmental John Busch St. Mary’s Cement Company Engineering Alumni Robert Caltrider Mark Young & the Ferrantino Richard Kriner Bruce & Deborah Campbell Foundation Rodney and Mary Jo Meade Sam & Joann Castronovo Stan and Virginia Espenship Michigan Concrete Association and Myung Chang Lee and Cheryl Dell its members Mu-Tsang Chen Roger and Shelia Conrad Michigan Concrete Paving Association Roger & Shelia Conrad Reginald and Lois Batzer Leo V. and Rebecca Nothstine John Contrady James E. and Dorothy R. Blanchard NTH Consultants, Ltd. and its alumni Jonathan Crince Bruce and Deborah Campbell employees C.E. Cutts Charles H. Raths Nicholas Daddario Spalding DeDecker Associates, Inc. Frank & Jean DeDecker Don Welling, P.E. and Ruth Welling Leroy & Cheryl Dell Paul H. and Marcia J. Woodruff John Dexter Jason & Jennifer Early Gary Egleston Charles & Margaret Eisele Bruce & Mary Elenbaas Janet Houthoofd Ernest Malkewitz Stan & Virginia Espenship Yun Shang & Jane Hsieh Peter Margules J.A. & Brigitte Farrell Joseph Jackson Michael Marks Nancy Ferrantino David & Lynn Kimpel Moideen Mathari Larry & Jacqueline Fleis Fritz Klinger Francis & Elizabeth McKelvey Alton & Janice Granger Richard Kriner Rodney & Mary Jo Meade James Grant Kenneth Kucel Leslie & Dorothy Meyer, Jr. Ernest & Sally Gubry David & Nancy Lakin John Michalski Alan Halbeisen Rodney & Nancy Lentz Alfred & Mary Miller Robert & Karen Harbron Frederick & Barbara Levantrosser Gordon & Nancy Milne, Jr. Frank & Mary Lou Hatfield James & Marianne Lubkin William & Carol Moody Marshall & Janet Hines Donald & Linda Lund Thomas & Sheila Moore Spring 2001 Connections 5

Tiffany Mooyoung Civil Infrastucture Lab Naming Opportunities Jack & Zelda Nothstine Leo & Rebecca Nothstine John & Beverly O’ Naming Opportunity Amount James & Pamela Page Building $1,250,000 Laurence & Joan Pate Civil Materials Laboratory 175,000 Norman & Catherine Pedersen, Jr. Micro-Testing Laboratory 100,000 Christoipher & Deborah Potvin Environmental Testing Laboratory 75,000 Charles & Eleanor Raths Faculty Office 30,000 Carleton & Dorothy Rush Donor Wall 10,000 Philip Sanzica William & Muriel Saul James & Jane Shumway For more information please contact Jonathan Hill, associate director of Stuart & Mary Siegan development, College of Engineering at (517) 355-8339. David & Cynthia Smiley Don & Joanna Smith Thomas & Kathryn Sovel David Sowers Organizations: Donald & Sarah Stroud Consumers Energy Institute of Transportation Engineers Pimpida Surakomol American Institute of Steel Construc- Korean MSU Civil and Environmental Keith & Colleen Swaffar tion, Inc. Engineering Alumni Anthony Thoma Amoco Corporation Li-San & Anne Hwang Foundation Eric & Diane Tripi Carrier & Gable Michigan Department of Transportation Florence Underwood CEE Faculty & Staff Michigan Chapter Associated General Lee & Mary Vanderlinden Chrysler Corporation Fund Contractors of America, Inc. James VanTiflin Daimler Chrysler Corp Michigan Concrete Association John & Fran Voreis Finkbeiner, Pettis, & Stroul, Inc. Michigan Concrete Paving Association Donald & Ruth Fishbeck, Thompson, Carr & Huber NTH Consultant, Ltd & Alumni Welling Ford Motor Company Pfizer, Inc. Robert & Judy Wen General Motors Spalding, DeDecker & Associates Inc. David & Kristie Wiggert Great Lakes Cement Promotions Spicer Group James Wight Association, Inc. Tucker, Young, Jackson, Tull Inc. Paul & Marcia Woodruff Granger Zurn Industries Mark Young Major Gifts for Scholarships

The department acknowledges with gratitude two major gifts to establish scholarship programs:

Robert M. Thompson (Thompson Scholars Graduate Fellowship Program)

The Christman Company (Christman Company Endowed Scholarship)

A dais full of dignitaries join in the ribbon-cutting for the Civil Inrastructure Laboratory. L-r: Ray McVeigh, executive director of the Great Lakes Cement Promotion Association;major donors Alton L and Janice M. Granger; Lou Anna Simon, university provost; Ron Harichandran, CEE chairperson; Janie Fouke, dean of engineering; and Robert Hugget, university vice-president for research. 6 Connections Spring 2002

Alumni News CEE Alumni to Gather at Fall Football Game Consider attending the MSU football game against Rice In Memoriam University. This game is Saturday, September 7th at Spartan Stadium. The CEE department has purchased a Fred Holland (B.S. ’58) died after a brief illness block of tickets, available to its alumni and guests on a November 2, 2001. first- come, first served basis. Price per ticket is $40 and John Anderson (M.S. ‘95) died unexpectedly on includes a picnic lunch. You can buy tickets until August February 2, 2002. 15 by mailing a check made out to “Department of Civil & Environmental Engineering, MSU” to Piyush C. Sharma (M.S. ‘61, Ph.D. ‘64) retired from public Linda Steinman service in September 1997 as Additional Director, Technical Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering Education, Government of Madhya Pradesh, Bhopal 3546 Engineering Building (India). Prior to that he worked as Deputy Secretary to the East Lansing, MI 48824-1226 Government of Madhya Pradesh, Professor Structural Engineering, MACT (Regional Engineering College) Bhopal For more information call 517/355-5107. and Government Engineering College Jabalpur (India). At present he is an Advisor, Rajeev Gandhi Technological much with transportation engineering anymore, but will talk University Bhopal (India) besides occasional consulting in to anyone who wants to listen about it and MSU. the area of structural engineering and real estate valuation. E-mail:[email protected] E-mail: [email protected] William Sherwood (B.S. ’95) is a crash safety engineer for Mary Caplon (B.S. ’92) is a project engineer at RMT, Inc. In Ford Motor Company. He received his M.S. in May 1999 July, 2001 she transferred from the RMT-Madison, WI office from Wayne State University with emphasis in Structural to the RMT Ann Arbor, MI office. Project work includes Design and Finite Element Analysis. He is moving to remediation system design and construction, facility Istanbul, Turkey with Ford Motor Company to work as a permitting, and developing and implementing ISO 14001 body structure engineer on a new European cargo van. E- environmental management systems. She and her husband mail: [email protected] have a 3 year-old daughter and are happy to be back in Michigan, closer to family (especially the grandparents!).E- Chen-Chung Liou (M.S. ’95) immigrated to Canada in July, mail: [email protected] 2001 and is looking for work. He hopes to receive some useful information from the mother department and to keep Kenneth M. Kucel, PE, (B.S. ‘90, M.S. ‘93) is assistant in touch. He always remembers those wonderful days at division planning engineer for the Wayne County Depart- MSU and in the department. E-mail: [email protected] ment of Public Services. He was promoted to his current position in July 2001 and is responsible for program Steve Sills (B.S. ’96) is a project engineer in land develop- planning, project scoping, geometric recommendations and ment services for Atwell-Hicks, Inc. He obtained his numerous other duties. E-mail: [email protected] Michigan Professional Engineer’s license in April, 2000 and specializes in the planning, design and construction of Craig Dashner (B.S. ’93) is a project manager at residential land development projects. E-mail: Finkbeiner, Pettis & Strout, Inc. He is bridge project [email protected] manager for the Novi office of FPS. He married Heather (Engineering Arts ‘95) in fall of 98 (at MSU of course). Steven Debban (B.S. ’96) is a design engineer III for HNTB They still have their two dogs from the college days. Corporation. Since graduation, he worked as a highway and airports project engineer at R.W. Armstrong & Associates William Eisele (B.S. ‘93, M.S. ’94) is an associate research in Indianapolis, IN. This past summer he took a position at engineer at the Texas Transportation Institute. He finished HNTB Corporation as an airport engineer. He recently his Ph.D. in Civil Engineering (transportation emphasis) in passed his P.E. exam and is now registered in the State of May 2001 from Texas A&M University. He recently got Indiana. E-mail: [email protected] engaged and is planning a summer 2002 wedding. He does research in the areas of access management, HOV facilities, Hitesh Patel (M.S. ’97) is a senior engineer at Boeing in and use of ITS data for monitoring transportation system Seattle. He has worked on 737/757/767/777 airplanes. He performance. E-mail: [email protected] started working in a Payloads group called Passenger Service Units. He is presently working on a special Project Sumeet Johar (M.S. ’94) is an independent business analyst for the 777 Delta airplane. He hopes to work on the new who lives and works in downtown Chicago. He may not do “SONIC CRUISER.” E-mail: [email protected] Spring 2002 Connections 7

Michael Niederquell (B.S. ‘98, M.S. ’99) is a transportation and heterogeneous field conditions. He has recently engineer for Wade-Trim. E-mail: [email protected] developed a sophisticated, interactive and visual software system for deterministic and stochastic Kip Kalisiak (B.S. ’99) is assistant project engineer at STS modeling of three-dimensional groundwater flow and Consultants, Ltd. in Grand Rapids. He is involved in multi-species reactive contaminant transport. geotechnical, environmental and solid waste projects. E- mail: [email protected] Dr. Li teaches courses in groundwater flow and contaminant transport, fluid mechanics, and stoachastic David Herweyer (M.S. ’00) is a project manager-hydraulic subsurface hydrology and monitoring. engineer at Collins Engineers, Inc., located in Chicago, IL and Holland, MI. He works on a variety of large water resource projects around the United States for the public Milind (Miles) V. Khire, Ph.D., and private sector. He was married in November, 2000 to P.E., arrived at MSU after working Kate Lintemuth of Holland, MI. E- at Tonklin & Taylor Environmen- mail:[email protected] tal Consultants in Auckland, New Zealand. He received his Ph.D. in Thomas Kang (M.S. ’00) is a graduate student researcher at Geo-environmental Engineering UCLA, where he is performing a CUREe-Kajima Flat Plate from the University of Wisconsin- Project with Prof. John W. Wallace at UCLA. He is Madison and joined the depart- conducting shake table testing at Richmond Field Station, ment as an assistant professor. UCB. Info available at www.seas.ucla.edu/~tkang. E-mail: [email protected] Dr. Khire’s research interests include the following: performance and water balance modeling of earthen and composite landfill caps, capillary barriers and monolayer caps; bioreactors, leachate collection and Department News treatment; phytoremediation; reuse of recycled materi- als in geotechnical applications. He received the James Two department faculty won national recognition in the Croes Medal (1998) from ASCE and the Severson last year. Susan Masten won the Wiley-Interscience/ Geotechnical Award (1995) from the University of AEESP Award for outstanding Contributions to Wisconsin-Madison. Environmental Engineering & Science Education. Parviz Soroushian was named a Fellow of the NASA Institute for Advanced Concepts. Mackenzie Davis Ghassan Abu-Lebdeh, Ph.D., won the Withrow Award for Teaching Excellence. came to the CEE department Thomas Maleck won the William A. Bradley Out- from the University of Kentucky standing Faculty Award. and is an assistant professor. He received his Ph.D. in Transporta- Three new faculty joined the department this year. tion Engineering from the University of Illinois at Urbana- Shu-Guang Li, Ph.D., P.E., joined Champaign. the department as an associate professor after teaching at Portland Dr. Abu-Lebdeh’s research State University in Oregon. Dr. Li interests lie within the area of traffic control—focusing received his Ph.D. in Water on control of congested systems, adaptive control, use Resources and Environmental of genetic and neural-based computations, and use of Engineering from Massachussetts information technologies for the design of advanced Institute of Technology. control algorithms.

Dr. Li is developing improved methods for characteriz- He was the recipient of an Eisenhower Transportation ing groundwater contamination at hazardous wastes Fellowship (1994-1998) and teaches courses in traffic sites. He is particularly concerned with developing analysis and control, traffic flow theory, and introduc- characterization approaches that can adapt to complex tion to transportation engineering. 8 Connections Spring, 2002 Focus on Research less dependence on formal lectures. The integrated software system eliminates a critical In each issue we highlight the research of a particular faculty member. bottleneck in traditional modeling technologies. It also Dr. Shu-Guang Li joined the CEE department in the fall of 2001. creates capabilities that provide a system view and management ability. The new technology simplifies and automates all mechanical aspects of groundwater modeling, reducing dramatically the time required for 1. How would you define the conducting a modeling project. specific subject of your primary research? Where does it fit The impact of this new software system, however, goes within the larger scheme of well beyond simply saving time. It is an enabling related research? technology. This new software environment allows Taking advantage of the latest scientists and engineers to focus singularly and research in groundwater modeling continuously on the fundamental processes, and and dramatic developments in problem solving and work much more in “environ- computer and information technology, I have been mental science and engineering interpretive space” developing a general, comprehensive, and rather than “computer science space.” Being able to integrated software environment for modeling watch natural subsurface processes evolve over time— groundwater flow and contaminant transport. and visualize instantaneously the complex inter- Utilizing a new modeling paradigm and a set of relationships among environment variables—sparks efficient and robust computational algorithms, the pivotal insights, revealing hydrogeological and integrated software allows for real-time modeling, biochemical processes that can’t be readily obtained real-time visualization, real-time analysis, and real- otherwise. The new technology offers a method of time interpretation and presentation. seeing the unseen and understanding the invisible. It transforms the way scientists and engineers conduct model-based site characterization. 2. What are the implications of your research for your area of engineering? What might be the practical payoffs? 3. What drew you to this subject and why is it interesting to you? Are you pursuing this The new software technology marks an invaluable research with colleagues? innovation for groundwater modeling and model- based site-characterization. The new technology I was drawn to this research after I convinced myself makes it possible for that traditional software technologies are fundamentally inefficient and cannot take full advantage of the ‰ environmental and water resources dramatically increased computer processing power. professionals to visualize site investigation activities as they take place and to evaluate and What now limits how fast a solution can be obtained for modify in real time sampling, management, and a problem of realistic size and complexity is no longer remedial schemes; the time to solve the governing differential equations. ‰ researchers to study field-scale physical and Such limits derive from the time needed to build, chemical processes in heterogeneous analyze, and integrate the heterogeneous models and geological formations, testing basic concepts, route huge data streams from program to program and assumptions, and hypothesis on the fly; from package to package. ‰ professors to teach groundwater flow and transport and site investigation and remediation While many scientists are indeed spending more time using live, interactive, and visual simulations; today sitting in front of a workstation, they find them- ‰ students to engage in hands-on learning, selves doing less and less real science and engineering. discovery, and creative experimentation with Like carpenters charged with building fine furniture Spring 2002 Connections 9 with chainsaws, they spend more time maintaining the 5. What might be the future direction of this chainsaw than building furniture. Although they are research? accomplishing more computer-type tasks, scientists and The software project described here fits in well with engineers are spending less time evaluating the subsur- our longer term research that aims to develop advanced face processes and investigating the contaminant fate model-based tools for environmental and water and transport. resources site investigations. As one of our immediate next steps, we will extend the new software paradigm to To significantly advance the state of groundwater multi-scale and multi-resolution 3D modeling, multi- modeling, we need a new approach and an integrated continuum flow and transport modeling, and multi- view to model and software development. The contaminants reactive transport modeling. In the near research described here represents our on-going effort future, we will also extend the new software in this direction. environment to vadose zone and multiphase flow and transport modeling, and integrated surface water and 4. How long have you studied this subject, and groundwater modeling. what is the current status of your research? Rapid developments in technology are both exciting We have been working on this project since 1998 under and challenging. We hope this software liberates the sponsorship of the National Science Foundation. researchers to focus on fundamental analytical tasks. The current version of the software is capable of We are only beginning to understand how the simulating three-dimensional flow and transport in “nonlinear interaction” between information technology saturated porous media. The software can be and disciplinary research frontiers may affect downloaded at http://www.egr.msu.edu/~lishug. environmental modeling and the society in general. With 2.5 GHz desktop workstations available now, 3GHz microprocessor technology in the labs and faster 4 GHz technology clearly in sight, actively-visualized groundwater modeling incorporating real-time, live- linked, intelligently-integrated technology is only beginning to reach its potential.

Here is a view of the current software technology (Imagine it in color.) that allows researchers to simulate in three-dimensions, and in real time, flow and transport in saturated porous media. 10 Connections Spring 2002 Student News Concrete , Steel Bridge Teams Qualify for ASCE Nationals

Concrete Canoe Team “It was a great day on the Grand River for MSU!” Those words by Professor Mack Davis (team advisor) captured the feeling here as the CEE department’s Concrete Canoe team won the This year’s Concrete Canoe Team: l-r, Dr. George Stockman, overall title at this year’s ASCE Regional Competition. Dr. Mackenzie Davis, Lavie Golenburg, Brad Pries, Aaron The team scored a clean sweep of these races. The Davis, Kirk Wolf, Sarah Rozema, Karen Ives, Dane McBaine, victory qualified the team to represent the North Katie Nye, Susan Rozema, Susan Quirling, Dana Nuffer, Sarah Central Region in the national competition in Madison, Powell, Kimberly Jacks, Brian Bradley, Joe Lehning, Kevin Dubnicki. Missing: Wanda Lau, Aimee Bolen, Sean Duffett. Wisconsin., where the team finished 15th. The overall winner at the nationals came from .

This year’s boat, “Reflections,” represented thousands of hours of work by a group of around 20 students. “Reflections” was a bit longer and heavier than previ- ous designs (19 ft, 121 lb), but performed extremely well in the racing competition.

Steel Bridge Team This year’s Steel Bridge team also qualified for the nationals by placing third overall in the regional competition here in East Lansing, with three first place category finishes in aesthetics, stiffness and structural The Steel Bridge Team. L-r: John Hart, Chris Evans, Mike Szumigala, Kyle efficiency. At the nationals theMSU team placed 25th Phinney, Katie Smith (captain), Jason Faigle, Julie Galambos (captain), Carl out of 44 teams overall, with high category finishes of Fedders, Brian Smith, Greg Heim, Prof. A. Varma (coach), Prof. F. Hatfield 13th in stiffness and 12th in aesthetics. (coach).

This year marked the 150th Anniversary of the ASCE On the regional level, Amber Rogers received the Air conference. These competitions are co-sponsored by & Waste Management Outstanding Student Award. ASCE and Master Builders (concrete canoe) and ASCE Heather Morales was named MSPE Student of the and the American Institute for Steel Construction (steel Year. Sarah Rozema received the Outstanding Student bridge). Award from the ASCE Lansing-Jackson Branch.

Karen Ives received the Outstanding CEE Senior SWE Student Awards Award. Nicole Danielson was named Outstanding SWE Member. Dana Leclaire received the Francis X. This year witnessed a bounty of student awards. On the McKelvey Award for Transportation. Stephanie national level, The EESS Student Chapter was given Luster-Teasley was named Outstanding ENE Gradu- the Outstanding Student Chapter Award (large institu- ate Student and Tao Luo was named Outstanding CE tion category). Lisveth Flores del Pino garnered an Graduate Student. Therese Sutphen received the International Fellowship from the American Association Conrad Outstanding Student Award. of University Women Fellowship Foundation. Spring 2002 Connections 11

minority residents in this area. For more information on Focus on Outreach this project, contact Kirk Riley at (517) 355-7493. TOSC in Action Welcome to EnviroTools The Midwest Hazardous Substance Research Center TOSC program at MSU recently received a grant to EnviroTools is a major Web-based outreach initiative provide technical assistance to the general public, local that provides easy access to information related to the government and other stakeholders in and near the cleanup of contaminated sites. This site contains cities of Hammond, East Chicago and Gary, IN. The presentation visuals, fact sheets, web links, a glossary grant comes from the Great Lakes National Programs and an annotated bibliography of other outreach Office of the EPA. This effort occurs in partnership resources, all designed to help people cut through the with the Indiana University Bloomington School of confusion and jargon of site cleanup projects. Check Public and Environmental Affairs and the Grand out this site at www.envirotools.org/ The EnviroTools Calumet Task Force (GCTF). materials are aimed at community assistance leaders, outreach assistance providers and citizen leaders even Three proposed dredging projects would affect the if they have little or no background in site cleanup. Indiana Harbor and Ship Canal and the Grand Calumet River. The technical assistance will focus on promoting EnviroTools is produced at Michigan State University community participation in decisions concerning these and is a collaborative effort between the outreach arms proposed operations, particularly on the remediation of of the Hazardous Substances Research Center (HSRC) contaminated sediments. and the Superfund Basic Research Program (SBRP). The Hazardous Substance Research Centers (HSRC) These sites are located in one of the world’s largest program provides free technical assistance to communi- concentrations of industry. According to the Environ- ties with environmental contamination programs. The mental Impact Statement for the Corps project, about Hazardous Substances Research Center (HSRC) at 150,000 cubic yards of polluted sediments enter Lake Michigan State University is one of five HSRCs Michigan each year from these waterways. These established by the U.S. Environmental Protection sediments contain 77,000 pounds of chromium, Agency to provide free technical assistance to commu- 100,000 pounds of lead, and 420 pounds of polychlori- nities with environmental contamination. nated biphenyls (PCBs).

In the first project, U.S. Steel (USS) will dredge 5 miles of the east branch of the river. The approximately 700,000 cubic yards of dredged material will be dis- posed of on USS property in a Corrective Action Management Unit (CAMU). In the second, the US Army Corps of Engineers plans to dredge the harbor and the upper end of the canal. The dredging, sched- uled to begin in 2005, would remove 4.67 million cubic yards of sediments to be housed in a 131-acre confined disposal facility (CDF). The CDF would be located within a half mile of 2 schools and a residential area. Many residents question the assurances of the Corps and the U.S. EPA that this facility would cause minimal health effects. The third proposed dredge would cover the west branch of the harbor channel/river system.

TOSC involvement is especially critical in this instance because of the large number of low income and How to Find Us How to Help Us

By mail: Pledge of Support for the Department of Civil Department of Civil and and Environmental Engineering Environmental Engineering I wish to support the students, faculty, and facilities of the Department Michigan State University of Civil and Environmental Engineering at Michigan State University. East Lansing, MI 48824-1226 By e-mail: [email protected] [ ] Please designate my gift to support the Civil Infrastructure By phone: 517-355-5107 Laboratory.

By FAX: 517-432-1827 [ ] The Student Award Fund in honor of Professor Wiggert.

On the Web: ¨$25 ¨$50 ¨$100 ¨$200 ¨ other: http://www.egr.msu.edu/cee Name:

Editor: David Adams Address: Design: David Adams City:

Home Telephone: Business Telephone:

E-mail: Please make checks payable to: Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering—MSU Thank you for your financial support!

Department of Civil and Non-Profit Org. Environmental Engineering U.S. Postage Michigan State University PAID East Lansing, MI 48824-1226 East Lansing, MI Permit No. 21

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