would like to thank all of those who helped me make this work possible. I would like to especially thank my advisor, Dr. Scott Phelan, for giving me the opportunity to work on this research project, for his guidance and advice, and for supportíng me fínancially through this project. I also thank the other member of my thesis committee, Dr. Sanjaya Senadheera, for his technical, theoretícal support, tíme and continuous inspiration during the research project. Other special thanks goes to Mr. Michael Leaverton and Manav Nanda for their technical assistance and tíme. I would like to thank Paul, Doug, Mario, and Brad for their help in the Civil Engineering shop. It is with them, that I leamed how to use most of the equipment.Along the way, I also have had the privilege to meet a few great people who have become great friends. This close group of friends includes: Sanad Shamsan,
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