Cox has been conducting hydraulic engineering research for more than ten years and has completed over 45 research projects. Her experience includes physical hydraulic modeling of river systems, channel rehabilitation structures, bridge pier scour, and outlet works. Additionally, Cox has extensive research experience with erosion control countermeasures including riprap revetment, articulated concrete block revetment systems, rock-filled gabions mattresses, concrete-filled cellular systems, and vegetated and non-vegetated turf reinforcement mats. Her dissertation was entitled “Moment stability analysis method for determining safety factors for articulated concrete blocks” and provided a design method for articulated concrete block systems. Cox’s broad experience relating to hydraulic modeling includes studies of in-stream rehabilitation structures funded by the Bureau of Reclamation. Her Master’s thesis was on evaluating hydraulics of cross-vane, w-weir, and bendway weir in-stream flow control structures including energy losses, scour and structure stability in a mobile-bed channel. Additional river engineering studies of interest by Dr. Cox include a physical modeling study funded by the Army Corps of Engineers that evaluated artificial substrate for White Sturgeon spawning habitat in the Kootenai River, a large-scale physical model study of sloped-rock weirs to evaluate rock sizing, and two physical model studies to evaluate sedimentation near a pump intake on the Sacramento River. In addition to river engineering studies, Cox has researched stormwater hydraulic structures including curb and gutter drainage inlets, highway median drainage inlets, and an ellipse-shaped detention-pond weir outlet. She also evaluated hydraulics associated with stormwater roof-drain water-quality treatment systems and permeable pavers, conducted water-quality tests of rolled sediment retention devices for stormwater runoff, and collaborated with the U.S. Geological Survey to conduct laboratory testing of a new stormwater sampling device.
