Wednesday, July 25, 2012

REU Reflection Paper



UT Arlington REU 2012: Reflection Paper

The Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU 2012) at the University of Texas Arlington (UTA) has definitely been educational and satisfying for me.  It was a great opportunity or probably the best engineering experience I have had so far. As a student from a small school with limited resources, I was able to get a taste, for the first time, of how highly advanced geotechnical tests are conducted. My research at UTA has gone beyond the expectations I had before the actual program. Initially, I thought we would only spend most of the time reading engineering textbooks and conducting tests, but I was surprised to see more events I never expected before. My major expectations for the REU program included the interaction with knowledgeable faculty staff, real world application of engineering and science, preparation of high-level studies such graduate school, and so on. Also, I was looking forward to working with students from other schools and make connections. 

Three-Dimensional Swell Test


University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Laboratory Test Report






Three-Dimensional Swell Test on Soil from Burleson, Texas



Written by:
Richard Benda
Joseph Muhirwa
Robert Sargent


July 11, 2012
Table of Contents                                                                                                           Page
Abstract..............................................................................................................................3
Introduction........................................................................................................................4
Equipment and Materials...................................................................................................5
Methods and Procedure......................................................................................................5
Data, Results, and Discussion............................................................................................6
Conclusion.........................................................................................................................8
References.........................................................................................................................8
Appendices
            Appendix A: Dial Readings and Corresponding Vertical Swell…………………10

Unconfined Compressive Strength Test




University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Laboratory Test Report





Unconfined Compressive Strength on Soil from Austin, TX.




Written by:
Richard Benda
Joseph Muhirwa
Robert Sargent


July 11, 2012

Table of Contents                                                                                                        Page
Abstract...........................................................................................................................3
Introduction.....................................................................................................................4
Equipment and Materials................................................................................................4
Methods and Procedure...................................................................................................5
Data, Results, and Discussion.........................................................................................6
Conclusion.......................................................................................................................7
References.......................................................................................................................8

One-Dimensional Swell Test



University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Laboratory Test Report






One-Dimensional Swell Test of Soil from Austin, Texas




Written by:
Richard Benda
Joseph Muhirwa
Robert Sargent

July 10, 2012

Table of Contents                                                                                                          Page
Abstract...............................................................................................................................3
Introduction.........................................................................................................................4
Equipment and Materials....................................................................................................5
Procedure............................................................................................................................5
Results, Data, and Discussion.............................................................................................7
Conclusion...........................................................................................................................8
References...........................................................................................................................9
Appendices
            Appendix A: Dial Gauge Readings………………………………………………..10
            Appendix B: Sample Calculations………………………………………………...13

Hydrometer Test



University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Laboratory Test Report





Hydrometer Test for Grain Size Analysis on soil from Burleson, Texas




Written by:
Richard Benda
Joseph Muhirwa
Robert Sargent



July 11, 2012

Table of Contents                                                                                                   Page
Abstract.......................................................................................................................3
Introduction.................................................................................................................4
Equipment and Materials............................................................................................4
Methods and Procedure..............................................................................................5
Data, Results, and Discussion....................................................................................7
Conclusion.................................................................................................................9
References.................................................................................................................10
Appendices
            Appendix A: Hydrometer Analysis Table and Sample Calculations............11

Sunday, July 15, 2012

Determination of Sulfate Content in Expansive Soil



University of Texas at Arlington
Civil Engineering Department
Laboratory Test Report





Sulfate Content of Soil from Austin, Texas



Written by:
Richard Benda
Joseph Muhirwa
Robert Sargent


July 1st, 2012



Table of Contents
Page
Table of Contents ….........................................................................................1
List of Tables and Figures................................................................................2
Abstract….......................................................................................................3
Introduction.......................................................................................................4
Equipment and Materials………………………………….....................…….4
Methods and Procedure......................................................................................6
Data, Results, and Discussion.............................................................................7
Conclusion.........................................................................................................9
References.......................................................................................................10
Appendices
            Appendix A: Sample Calculations……………………………...........11