Engineering Commons^™

College Of Engineering Senior Design Competition Fall 2005, University Of Nevada, Las Vegas

Fred and Harriet Cox Senior Design Competition Projects

Part of every UNLV engineering student’s academic experience, the senior design project stimulates engineering innovation and entrepreneurship. Each student in their senior year chooses, plans, designs and prototypes a product in this required element of the curriculum. A capstone to the student’s educational career, the senior design project encourages the student to use everything learned in the engineering program to create a practical, real world solution to an engineering challenge.

The senior design competition helps to focus the senior students in increasing the quality and potential for commercial application for their design projects. Judges from local industry evaluate the projects …

The Potential For Real-Time Traffic Crash Prediction, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Anurag Pande, Liang Y. Hsia, Fathy Abdalla

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The development of freeway crash prediction models using intelligent transportation systems (ITS) archived data could be a substantial advancement in the field of real-time traffic management. Such models not only are expected to improve safety but also may go a long way to improve freeway operations by reducing incident-related congestion.

Because there is a need to use real-time traffic data emanating from loop detectors, the approach differs distinctly from previous studies estimating crash frequencies or rates on a certain freeway section through aggregate measures of flow (such as average daily traffic or hourly volumes).

Although the authors try to establish …

Sensors To Monitor Cfrp/Concrete Bond In Beams Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Sangdo Hong, Ronald S. Harichandran

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The use of inexpensive electrochemical impedance spectroscopy based sensor technology for nondestructive evaluation (NDE) of bond degradation between external carbon fiber-reinforced polymer (CFRP) reinforcement and concrete is examined. Copper tape on the surface of the CFRP sheet, stainless steel wire embedded in the concrete, and reinforcing bars were used as the sensing elements. Laboratory experiments were designed to test the capability of the sensors to detect the debonding of the CFRP from the concrete and to study the effect of short-term (humidity and temperature fluctuations) and long-term (freeze-thaw and wet-dry exposure and rebar corrosion) environmental conditions on the measurements. The …

Guidelines For Traffic Counts On Local Roads And Streets, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

The purpose of this document is to provide a series of guidelines to assist in the creation of a system that will enable the collection of complete and accurate traffic data.

Included within these guidelines is a list of all appropriate counting devices. There have been several listed so that a wide range of needs and budgets could be satisfied. Also included is a guide for planning a traffic count program and data collection session. Once the data is collected, it then becomes necessary to evaluate and analyze the data so that accurate traffic volume predictions can be made. This …

Dynamic Growth Rates Of Microbial Populations In Activated Sludge Systems, Peter George Stroot, Pascal E. Saikaly, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Results of mathematical modeling and whole cell 16S ribosomal RNA-targeted fluorescence in situ hybridizations challenge the widely held perception that microbial populations in "steady-state" activated sludge systems share a common net growth rate that is proportional to the inverse of the mean cell residence time. Our results are significant because they encourage bioprocess engineers to appreciate the differences in growth physiology among individual microbial populations in complex mixed microbial communities such as suspended growth activated sludge bioreactor systems.

Today’S Dot And The Quest For More Accountable Organizational Structures, Lenahan O'Connell, Juita-Elena (Wie) Yusuf, Merl Hackbart, Donald L. Hartman, Candice Wallace, Doug Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study investigates the impact of DOT organizational structures on effective transportation planning and performance. A review of the 50 state DOT authorizing statutes and DOT organizational charts found minimal differences in organizational structures among the states. However, 37 states have quasi-independent commissions (sometimes called boards, or councils.) A statistical analysis showed that the commission states have higher Government Performance Project (GPP) scores than the non-commission states. The analysis suggested that effective commissions avoid having members represent geographical regions and political parties and avoid giving the commission the power to select the director of the DOT. In addition the states …

Socio-Economic Analysis Of Fatal Crash Trends (Final Report), Adam Kirk, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the analysis of fatal crash patterns and explores the impact of socioeconomic factors and safety regulations on statewide crash rates. This analysis separated statewide crash rates between 2002 and 2004 into two samples, 1) those with crash rates 25 percent greater than the average national rate and 2) those with crash rates lower than this threshold. Safety regulations and socioeconomic factors were identified as having a significant effect on crash rates, with socioeconomic factors showing a higher potential to explain differences in crash rates between the two samples.

Disposal Of Bridge Paint Residue, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Paint residue generated by bridge maintenance painting commonly contains lead requiring the residue to be disposed of as a hazardous waste. Several alternatives are being investigated in this study, chemical stabilization and recycling as options for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to consider in addressing the waste stream generated by bridge maintenance painting operations.

In the initial portion of this study, four chemical stabilization materials were identified as candidates for xperimental/demonstration projects entailing maintenance painting. A recycling option was also provided. An experimental bridge painting project was let by KYTC to investigate the use of two chemical stabilizers and the …

Fiscal Year 2005 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) requires state transportation agencies to submit a biennial report on local highway finances. The purpose of these reports is to provide FHWA with the data it needs to capture the financing of highway activities at the local level. Based on this information, it can identify trends in revenue, expenditures, investments, and program development, and in turn make decisions about future investments. The report, FHWA-536, asks agencies to report on four areas of local highway finance: 1) disposition of highway-user revenues; 2) revenues used for roads and streets identified by source and funding type; 3) road …

Coupled Oceanic-Atmospheric Variability And U.S. Streamflow, Glenn A. Tootle, Thomas C. Piechota, Ashok Singh

Civil and Environmental Engineering and Construction Faculty Research

A study of the influence of interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric influences on streamflow in the United States is presented. Unimpaired streamflow was identified for 639 stations in the United States for the period 1951–2002. The phases (cold/negative or warm/positive) of Pacific Ocean (El Niño–Southern Oscillation (ENSO) and Pacific Decadal Oscillation (PDO)) and Atlantic Ocean (Atlantic Multidecadal Oscillation (AMO) and North Atlantic Oscillation (NAO)) oceanic-atmospheric influences were identified for the year prior to the streamflow year (i.e., long lead time). Statistical significance testing of streamflow, based on the interdecadal, decadal, and interannual oceanic-atmospheric phase (warm/positive or cold/negative), was performed by …

Development, Testing And Evaluation Of Ndor' Tl-5 Aesthetic Open Concrete Bridge Rail, Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Long Term Monitoring Of Trichloroethylene Degradation Indicator Parameters Using Sensors, Ravi Krishna Prasanth Gudavalli

FIU Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Past operations at Savannah River Site (SRS) have resulted in significant amount of groundwater contamination with trichloroethylene. Natural attenuation of chlorinated solvents via reductive dechlorination is one of the most important processes occurring at SRS, which requires monitoring. Many traditional monitoring techniques require manual sampling and analysis at an onsite or offsite laboratory, which is costly and time consuming. Therefore the need for a system, which can accurately and cost-effectively conduct real-time analysis using automated sensors, is important. There are several characteristics of groundwater like pH, ORP, conductivity and chloride that may be monitored to assess the TCE degradation. To …

Microbial Source Tracking: Tools For Refining Total Maximum Daily Load Assessments (2005), Stormwater Academy

BMP Trains Research and Publications

For over 100 years, indicator bacteria of fecal origin have been used to assess water quality and alert managers to increased risk of the presence of human pathogens. While these indicator organisms, including total coliforms and fecal coliforms, have helped protect public health for decades, they are now being utilized as surrogates for pathogens in total maximum daily load (TMDL) programs that are mandated by the US Environmental Protection Agency. The goal of TMDL assessment, which is carried out by the Florida Department of Environmental Protection in Florida, is ultimately to identify the sources of contaminant loading to Florida waters …

Bond Strength And Transfer Length Of Pre-Tensioned Bridge Girders Cast With Self-Consolidating Concrete, Amgad F. Morgan Girgis, Christopher Y. Tuan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Self-consolidating concrete (SCC) is becoming increasingly popular in the precast/prestressed concrete industry in the United States. However, there have been concerns regarding the bond strength, transfer length, and development length of prestressing strands and mild steel reinforcement with SCC. Further, there are no design guidelines for using SCC. In this study, a literature survey on the bond strength of SCC was conducted. Moustafa pullout tests were performed to determine the bond strength of 0.6 in. (15.2 mm) pretensioning strands with sec. The transfer lengths of three pretensioned concrete bridge girders were measured using Demec points. Pullout tests were also performed …

Heat Generation In Municipal Solid Waste Landfills, Nazli Yesiller, James Hanson, Wei-Lien Liu

Civil and Environmental Engineering

This study was conducted to investigate thermal aspects of municipal solid waste landfills as a function of operational conditions and climatic region. Spatial and temporal distributions of waste temperatures were determined at four landfills located in North America (Michigan, New Mexico, Alaska, and British Columbia). Temperatures of wastes at shallow depths (extending to 6 to 8 m depth) and near the edges of a cell (within approximately 20 m) conformed to seasonal temperature variations, whereas steady elevated temperatures (23 to 57°C) with respect to air and ground temperatures were reached at depth and at central locations. Waste temperatures decreased from …

Role Of Higher-"Mode" Pushover Analyses In Seismic Analysis Of Buildings, Rakesh K. Goel, Anil K. Chopra

Civil and Environmental Engineering

The role of higher-“mode” pushover analyses in seismic analysis of buildings is examined in this paper. It is demonstrated that the higher-“mode” pushover curves reveal plastic hinge mechanisms that are not detected by the first-“mode” or other FEMA-356 force distributions, but these purely local mechanisms are not likely to develop during realistic ground motions in an otherwise regular building without a soft and/or weak story. Furthermore, the conditions necessary for “reversal” of a higher-“mode” pushover curve are examined. It is shown that “reversal” in a higher-“mode” pushover curve occurs after formation of a mechanism if the resultant force above the …

Load And Resistance Factor Calibration For Wood Bridges, Andrzej S. Nowak, Christopher D. Eamon

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research Publications

The paper presents the calibration procedure and background data for the development of design code provisions for wood bridges. The structural types considered include sawn lumber stringers, glued-laminated girders, and various wood deck types. Load and resistance parameters are treated as random variables, and therefore, the structural performance is measured in terms of the reliability index. The statistical parameters of dead load and live (traffic) load, are based on the results of previous studies. Material resistance is taken from the available test data, which includes consideration of the post-elastic response. The resistance of components and structural systems is based on …

2005 Indiana County Highway Departments Bridge Replacement Cost Estimation Procedures, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report is intended to provide county bridge officials a simple, straight forward method to estimate the costs of replacing county bridges. The report uses information from bridges constructed from 1997 through 2005, which was obtained through surveys completed by Indiana counties. Regressions were performed on the data and a spreadsheet prepared that allows users to input Average Daily Traffic (ADT) and the old bridge length to obtain an estimate for the cost of a replacement bridge.

An Analysis Of Fatal Traffic Crashes In Kentucky And Recommended Countermeasures, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The contents of this report reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented herein. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the University of Kentucky. This report does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Lexington Incident Detection System Evaluation Report, Adam J. Kirk, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the evaluation of an experimental incident detection system implemented within the Lexington / Fayette County area by the Lexington Fayette Urban County Government Department of Traffic Engineering. The incident detection system includes 5 different types of traffic monitors on 10 different locations throughout the county including interstate and limited access facilities and signalized urban arterials. The evaluation of the system was performed over a period of three months between June and August 2005. This report summarizes the implementation strategy and provides recommendations for future implementation and expansion of the system.

Development, Deployment, And Evaluation Of A Remote Monitoring System And A Virtual Weigh Station, Joseph D. Crabtree, David Q. Hunsucker, Jennifer R. Walton

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In order to extend commercial vehicle enforcement coverage to routes that are not monitored by fixed weigh stations, Kentucky has developed and implemented a Remote Monitoring System (RMS) and a Virtual Weigh Station (VWS). The RMS captures images of passing trucks (from the side) and transmits those images to a nearby weigh station. Station personnel can view the images, read the USDOT number, and check the number against Kentucky’s Clearinghouse of motor carrier data. When a problem is detected with the carrier’s registration, taxes, or safety record, an officer can be dispatched to intercept the truck, perform the necessary checks, …

Least-Squares Finite-Element Scheme For The Lattice Boltzmann Method On An Unstructured Mesh, Yusong Li, Eugene J. Leboeuf, P. K. Basu

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A numerical model of the lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) utilizing least-squares finite-element method in space and the Crank–Nicolson method in time is developed. This method is able to solve fluid flow in domains that contain complex or irregular geometric boundaries by using the flexibility and numerical stability of a finite-element method, while employing accurate least-squares optimization. Fourth-order accuracy in space and second-order accuracy in time are derived for a pure advection equation on a uniform mesh; while high stability is implied from a von Neumann linearized stability analysis. Implemented on unstructured mesh through an innovative element-by-element approach, the proposed method …

Tunnel Geology As Seen By Geologists: Manhattan, New York City, Nazrul I. Khandaker, Stanley Schleifer, Masud Ahmed, Alan R. Slaughter, Belal A. Sayeed, Dorean J. Flores, Mario Jo-Ramirez

Publications and Research

Current exploratory boring operations in and around Manhattan, New York City are providing geologists and geotechnical engineers with a plethora of new and interesting geological information, which has not been previously reported. The rocks encountered, mostly medium to high-grade metamorphic rocks, with both mafic and felsic intrusives, are highly variable in competency and mechanical durability. One of the most frequently encountered rock types is a garnetiferous-muscovite-biotite schist which grades into schistose gneiss and displays a wide variety of structural, compositional, and textural attributes. Metamorphic minerals showing the variable degree of metamorphism include graphite, talc, garnet, kyanite, tourmaline, emory, and occasionally …

Strength Of Cfs Floor Assemblies With Clip Angle Bearing Stiffeners, S. R. Fox

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

No abstract provided.

Proactive Real-Time Traffic Safety Implementation Strategy On Freeways, Mohamed Abdel-Aty, Anurag Pande, Nizam Uddin

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Reactive traffic management strategies such as incident detection are becoming less relevant with the advancement of mobile phone usage. Freeway management in the 21^st century needs to shift focus toward proactive strategies that include anticipating incidents such as the crashes. Predicting crash occurrences would also be the key to traffic safety. A two-step approach to identify freeway locations with high probability of crashes through real-time traffic surveillance data is presented here. For this study historical crash and corresponding traffic data from loop detectors were gathered from a 58-km (36-mile) corridor of Interstate-4. Following an exploratory analysis two types of …

Cm Facilities Update, Construction Management Department

Construction Management

No abstract provided.

The Cornerstone Fall 2005, Department Of Civil & Environmental Engineering

The Cornerstone

No abstract provided.

2005 Indiana County Highway Department Wage And Salary Survey, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

Included in this publication are wage and salary figures for the major salaried and hourly county highway positions in Indiana. In addition, the numbers of employees working under each job title are tabulated, and the ratio of total number of employees per mile of county road is displayed. The following series of tables are divided into four categories: administration, maintenance and repair, general and undistributed, and cumulative bridge. The appendix presents the recommended methods for calculating the labor burden for both salaried and hourly employees. Also included are generalized worksheets, which may be copied and used to calculate labor burden …

2005 Summary Of Highway Revenues, Distributions, & Expenses For Indiana Counties, Cities, & Towns, Ken Smith

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report provides information on revenues, distributions, and expenses of state and local governments for highway, road, and street work. Since the Motor Vehicle Highway (MVH) and Local Road and Street (LRS) Accounts are the principal source of funds for local road or street construction and maintenance operations, this summary may be used to see the trends in income sources and in the expenses charged to the funds prior to their being distributed to the highway, road, and street agencies.

Use Of 16s Rrna Gene Terminal Restriction Fragment Analysis To Assess The Impact Of Solids Retention Time On The Bacterial Diversity Of Activated Sludge, Pascal E. Saikaly, Peter George Stroot, Daniel B. Oerther

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Terminal restriction fragment length polymorphism (T-RFLP) analysis of 16S rRNA genes was used to investigate the reproducibility and stability in the bacterial community structure of laboratory-scale sequencing batch bioreactors (SBR) and to assess the impact of solids retention time (SRT) on bacterial diversity. Two experiments were performed. In each experiment two sets of replicate SBRs were operated for a periods of three times the SRT. One set was operated at an SRT of 2 days and another set was operated at an SRT of 8 days. Samples for T-RFLP analysis were collected from the two sets of replicate reactors. HhaI, …