Engineering Commons^™

The Future Of Transit In West Virginia, Diana Long, Benjamin L. Blandford, Peter J. Dailey, Sinaya Dayan, Justin Matthews, Kent Sowards

Reports with Contribution from KTC Researchers

No abstract provided.

Pavement Evaluation Of The Concrete Tie-Bars And Dowel Baskets On Irvin Cobb Drive, Us 60, Mccracken County, Ky, Brad W. Rister, Jamie Creech, Joe Whelan, Timothy R. B. Taylor

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A 1500 Mhz. ground coupled, ground penetrating radar antenna was used to identify both the horizontal alignment and the vertical displacement of the concrete tie-bars and the transverse joint dowel bar assembles on a Portland-Cement-Concrete-Pavement (PCCP) on US 60 in McCracken County, KY. Approximately 5 lanes miles of PCCP were evaluated using the 1500 Mhz. ground coupled antenna. Results indicate that only one transverse dowel basket out of an approximate total of 1,760 were within 4.17 inches of the pavement surface. Seven transverse dowel baskets were misaligned four inches or greater from the location of the sawed joint. These areas …

Fiscal Year 2013 Fhwa-536 Report For The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet, Steven Douglas Kreis, Candice Y. Wallace, Bryan Gibson, Sarah M. Mccormack

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 …

Updating The Kentucky Contract Time Determination System, Timothy R. B. Taylor, Paul M. Goodrum, Michael Brockman, Barry Bishop, Yongwei Shan, Roy E. Sturgill, Kevin Hout

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Federal Highway Administration requires State Transportation Agencies to have a formal method to estimate contract time for highway construction projects. To meet this requirement many states use an integrated scheduling system to estimate project durations based on assumed productivity rates and generic job logic. The current work investigated the accuracy of two of these systems found that both systems accuracy in predicting the duration of Kentucky Transportation Cabinet projects was greater than +200%. In response to this poor accuracy, a parametric project duration estimating tool was developed based on a multivariate regression analysis of bid item quantities and engineering …

Workforce Assessment Of The Inland Waterways Industry: A Survey Of Current And Future Training And Personnel Needs, Lenahan O'Connell, Timothy J. Brock

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the findings of a preliminary review of the workforce needs of the inland waterways industry, which currently confronts a human resources crisis and must recruit more people who can work their way up to the skilled positions on towboats. The looming surge in retirements will present a significant hurdle—especially as its large cohort of baby boom river pilots and captains reach retirement age. The industry will need to recruit, train, and retain competent personnel for a very demanding and important set of jobs. While many people can handle the tasks of a deckhand, only a minority will …

Repair Of I-65 Expressway Bridges Using Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Cfrp) Composites, Ching Chiaw Choo, Abheetha Peiris, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the repair of five locations along the I-65 Expressway in Jefferson County, KY. The repair involved: (1) the precast prestressed concrete girder spans between Jacob Street and Gray Street, (2) the reinforced concrete bearing pads of Bridge Pier 4 at the intersection of Jefferson Street and Preston Street, (3) the reinforced concrete bearing pads of Bridge Pier 6 near the intersection of Main Street and Hancock Street, (4) the precast prestressed concrete girder spans between Chestnut Street and Gray Street and (5) the reinforced concrete pier column on East Muhammad Ali Blvd.

The precast prestressed concrete girders …

Repair Using Steel Fiber Reinforced Polymer On Us 150 Bridges, Ching Chiaw Choo, Abheetha Peiris, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The report details the pre-construction monitoring, planning and design, and construction of the retrofit measures on the US150 bridge over Beech Fork River in Nelson County, KY and Cartwright Creek bridge on the border of Washington-Nelson County, KY. All reinforced concrete girders of the five-span Beech Fork River bridge and three-span Cartwright Creek bridge of deck-girder construction had developed diagonal cracks near or at the transition of the variable-and-constant depth regions.

To remedy the problem steel fiber reinforced polymer (SFRP) sheets were selected as the means of retrofit due to their strength and stiffness, as well as conformability and flexibility. …

Tools For Applying Constructability Concepts To Project Development (Design), Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Paul Goodrum, Emily Shocklee, Roy Sturgill, Chen Wang

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this report is to document the activities of Phases I and II of the research effort and present the findings of the work accomplished. Phase I developed the Constructability Review Database for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Phase II conducted a benefit analysis of the constructability review process. The database provides the basis for entry and collection of constructability reviews and allows for the identification of trends leading to potential improvements of the process. The database can be used to summarize activities, generate reports for a project, and be capable of quantifying the benefits from the process. …

Kentucky's Prism-Based Automated Ramp Screening System Evaluation, Jerry Kissick, David Q. Hunsucker, Andrew Martin, Jennifer Walton, Mark Bell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In 2010, Kentucky implemented a Performance Registration Information Systems and Management (PRISM) based automated ramp screening system (PARSS) at the Boone County inspection station on southbound I-71. The purpose of the PARSS is to identify and screen every vehicle that enters the Boone County inspection station. The system provides automated screening of trucks based on the license plate number and the USDOT number displayed on the vehicle. If it is determined that the vehicle should be stopped for inspection, that decision is communicated to the truck driver via the existing directional arrows that direct drivers to the static scale for …

2013 Driver Attitudes And Awareness Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Ronald E. Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A basic set of questions was developed that could be used in periodic surveys that track drivers attitudes and awareness concerning impaired driving, seat belt use, and speeding issues. The objective of the survey was to learn the knowledge, views, and behaviors of drivers in these areas. This report documents the results of the 2013 survey with a comparison to the 2011 and 2012 surveys as well as the 2010 baseline survey.

The method used to conduct the survey was a telephone survey. In addition to questions for the three major highway safety areas of impaired driving, seat belt use, …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (2008-2012), Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents an analysis of traffic crash data in Kentucky for the years of 200 8 through 201 2 . A primary objective of this study was to determine average crash statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of crashes were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky’s procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of crashes.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data that can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky’s …

Assessment Of Kentucky’S Road Fund, Bryan Gibson, Dwight V. Denison, Candice Y. Wallace, Christopher Jepsen, Doug Kreis, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky’s Road Fund serves as the primary source of funds for the state’s roadway system. Motor fuels taxes and motor vehicle usage taxes are the two main components of Road Fund revenues. In recent years, there has been concern about the ability of the Road Fund, as currently constituted, to provide sufficient revenue to meet the funding needs for Kentucky’s transportation system. This study first analyzed the sources of Road Fund revenue, utilizing historical data to provide context for how past revenues have been generated and where those revenues were spent. In addition to examining revenues, the study also examined …

Utilization Of Mobile Lidar To Verify Bridge Clearance Heights On The Western Kentucky Parkway, Brad Rister, Levi Mcintosh, Joe Whelan

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Bridge clearances can vary from lane-to-lane beneath overpasses, and can often be difficult to measure due to high traffic volumes. Therefore, a mobile LiDAR unit was utilized in this project to obtain the bridge clearance heights on the Western Kentucky Parkway. The LiDAR information was collected at 400,000 points-per-second at a driving speed of 30 mph. Hand measurements were also taken on each bridge to assist in quantifying the potential error between field measurements and LiDAR measurements. The results of the collected LiDAR data appear to be less than 1.2 inches, which appears to be in line with both manufactures …

2013 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green, Tony Fields

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the survey summarized in this report was to establish a statewide safety belt usage rate in Kentucky for 2013. This rate can be compared to those determined from previous surveys. The 2013 statewide survey continues to document the increase in usage associated with the change in the law to allow primary enforcement and related evaluation and enforcement.

Observations Of Peak Strength Behavior In Csa Cement Mortars, Joshua V. Brien, Kevin R. Henke, Kamyar C. Mahboub

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The purpose of this study was to assess the mechanical property performance behavior of calcium sulfoaluminate (CSA) cement mortar when cured at ambient laboratory temperature of ~23°C (73°F) and constant 50% relative humidity for an extended period of time. Four CSA cement mortars were tested. Three CSA cement mortars contained equivalent mass amounts of calcium sulfate; whereas, the fourth mortar contained double the amount of calcium sulfate. The three CSA cement mortars containing constant mass amounts of calcium sulfate differed as the specific type of calcium sulfate varied across the three formulations—one mortar containing solely anhydrite, one mortar contained half …

Evaluation Of Mechanically Stabilized Earth Walls For Bridge Ends In Kentucky; What Next?, Charlie Sun, Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the nationwide survey results on MSE wall abutment status. Many of handy features on MSE Wall Abutment Inspection/Rating In KY web application are highlighted, and various graphical user interfaces of the web application are illustrated and described. The inspection/rating results for fifty-six (56) existing MSE wall abutments are presented and discussed.

Effects Of Hinged Dowel System On The Performance Of Concrete Pavement Joints, Alireza Zeinali, Kamyar C. Mahboub, Herbert F. Southgate

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Concrete joint failure is a major distress mode in rigid pavements. Improving the joint performance in concrete pavements could yield substantial savings in terms of reduced maintenance and rehabilitation costs. The newly developed Hinged Dowel System (HDS) is a means for transferring loads across the concrete pavement joints. The HDS was patented as a new invention by the United States Patent and Trademark Office, and it is envisioned that it could significantly reduce the potential for joint failure in concrete pavements. The HDS assembly comprises a number of dowel bars and a collective hinge provided at the mid-length of the …

Evaluation Of Alternative Snowplowable Markers And Snowplowing Procedures, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to investigate viable alternatives to the currently approved snowplowable raised pavement marker and alternative methods and equipment used to snowplow roadways. The study included evaluating any potential durable and effective pavement marker that is not disruptive to snowplowing operations and alternative snowplowing procedures and equipment that do not damage pavement delineation and pavements. Implementation possibilities resulting from the research project include a recessed snowplowable marker and improved/alternative snowplowing procedures and equipment.

The alternative snowplowable markers included in the evaluation were the current steel casting marker and a recessed marker. The evaluations confirmed past research …

Evaluation Of Wet-Nighttime Delineation, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the research was to evaluate the alternative methods which could potentially provide effective and durable delineation of roadways during wet-nighttime conditions. Following is a summary of conclusions for future procedures and materials which should be considered as a method to provide effective lane delineation during wet-nighttime conditions.

• Snowplowable raised pavement markers should continue to be used on interstates and parkways. The installation process must ensure the markers are not placed on or adjacent to the pavement joint.
• Lenses in the steel casting raised pavement markers should be replaced on a three-year cycle. The condition of the castings …

An Overview Of U.S. Commuter Rail, Timothy J. Brock, Reginald R. Souleyrette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Planners view commuter rail as a means of managing urban sprawl, stimulating economic development and reducing the environmental impacts of transportation. Commuter rail systems, which use shared rights-of-way to connect suburban hubs with downtown urban centers, are beginning to have a large impact on the way people and freight move through US cities. Currently, there are 26 commuter rail systems operating in 29 major U.S. metropolitan areas. However, there is confusion among the general public and disagreement among transportation organizations as to what constitutes a commuter rail system and how to classify some rail systems. This research establishes a complete …

Multimodal Alternative Evaluation Us 60 (Versailles Road) Lexington, Ky: Final Report, Adam J. Kirk

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Versailles Road corridor is a major arterial into the heart of Lexington, KY, connecting the Bluegrass Airport, Keeneland, and the Bluegrass Parkway with downtown. In addition, the corridor serves as the most heavily used transit route within the city. Heavy pedestrian and bicycle usage also exist on the corridor making it one of the most vibrant and diverse multimodal corridors in the city if not the state. However, few improvements have been made for either automobile or other modes of transportation in recent years leading to a poor condition of some facilities and the need for improved and expanded …

Gis-Based Expert Systems Model For Predicting Habitat Suitability Of Blackside Dace, Benjamin L. Blandford, John Ripy, Ted H. Grossardt, Ryan Evans, Sara Hines

Kentucky Transportation Center Presentations

This study presents a GIS-based predictive habitat suitability model for the blackside dace, a federally-listed threatened species of the Upper Cumberland River basin in southeastern Kentucky. The model is a rules-based system which incorporates expert knowledge about habitat preferences for the species. The five habitat factors identified by experts and included in this model are stream gradient, canopy coverage, riparian vegetation type, riparian zone width, and stream order. Using GIS, the five habitat parameters were parameterized and combined across the entire stream network. Combinations were evaluated by blackside dace experts in terms of habitat suitability. The resulting model was tested …

Gap Acceptance Parameters For Hcm 2010 Roundabout Capacity Model Applications In Italy, A. Gazzarri, Michael T. Martello, Antonio Pratelli, Reginald R. Souleyrette

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

This paper deals with the field data observation and successive application of estimation procedures in order to estimate follow-up headway and critical headway at roundabouts. Average follow-up headway and average critical headway are two key parameters in the new roundabout capacity model presented in the 2010 edition of the Highway Capacity Manual (HCM). The HCM 2010 capacity model was developed as an exponential regression model with parameter estimates based on gap acceptance theory. Gap acceptance models are strongly affected by driver behaviour and local habits. Follow-up headways can be field measured, while critical headway cannot be obtained directly. The paper …

Froth Flotation Performance Enhancement By Feed Cavitation And Magnetic Plastic Particle Addition, Mehmet Saracoglu

Theses and Dissertations--Mining Engineering

Froth flotation is the most commonly used process to recover and upgrade the portion of the coal preparation plant feed that has a particle size smaller than 150 microns. Problems that occur when employing froth flotation in the coal industry include i) coal surfaces that are weakly-to-moderately hydrophobic, and ii) flotation systems that are overloaded and limited by insufficient retention time.

Research was performed to evaluate techniques that could be implemented to improve flotation performance under the aforementioned scenarios. Pre-aeration of flotation feed using a cavitation system was extensively evaluated in laboratory and full-scale test programs. The benefits of adding …

Biological Control Of Manganese In Water Supplies In The Presence Of Humic Acids, Michael S. Snyder

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

The main objective of this study was to improve our understanding of biological filtration (biofilm type) treatment for manganese (Mn) removal in drinking water. Biological filtration treatment involves biofilms of Mn(II)-oxidizing microorganisms attached to solid filter material that remove and immobilize dissolved Mn(II) in raw water by conversion to black MnO_2(s) precipitates. Mn-biological filtration is an emerging green technology that can serve as an alternative to conventional physicochemical treatments but its full potential is hindered by various factors. These include lack of understanding the: (1) optimal removal conditions for Mn, (2) mechanisms for Mn releases of the accumulated Mn …

Unsaturated Soil Parameters From Field Stiffness Measurements, Jason M. Curd

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

The behavior of unsaturated soils depends heavily on material properties and soil conditions. In Geotechnical Engineering, compacted soils are frequently used as fill material, and quality control is vital to the construction process. There are few methods available to estimate the parameters associated with unsaturated soils based on field measurements, and a relationship between these factors could reduce testing time and lower construction costs. Undrained triaxial tests were performed on four clays representing a range of material properties in an effort to reach the maximum dry density, which provides the highest bearing capacity. Each clay was compacted at optimum moisture …

Moisture And Unit Weight Readings From A Complex Impedance Measuring Instrument, Kirk Andrew Jenkins

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Complex Impedance Measuring Instruments (CIMI’s) are non-nuclear devices that calculate the dry unit weight and moisture content of soil by means of electromagnetic wave propagation theory. Unlike nuclear based test devices, these devices do not require certification or elaborate maintenance to own and operate. CIMI operation requires a soil specific calibration process where soil moisture and unit weight are correlated to electrical parameters. A new, smaller acrylic mold was developed as an alternative calibration tool to the manufacturer’s recommended mold. Calibrated soil models were generated using manufacturer recommended procedures as well as new procedures involving an acrylic mold. Models were …

Predicting The Dynamic Behavior Of Coal Mine Tailings Using State-Of-Practice Geotechnical Field Methods, Ali Salehian

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

This study is focused on developing a method to predict the dynamic behavior of mine tailings dams under earthquake loading. Tailings dams are a by-product of coal mining and processing activities. Mine tailings impoundments are prone to instability and failure under seismic loading as a result of the mechanical behavior of the tailings. Due to the existence of potential seismic sources in close proximity to the coal mining regions in the United States, it is necessary to assess the post-earthquake stability of these tailings dams.

To develop the aforementioned methodology, 34 cyclic triaxial tests along with vane shear tests were …

Applying Cognitive Principles To The Delivery Of Engineering Information By Different Mediums, Gabriel B. Dadi

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Construction project performance and worker productivity are often tied to the availability and effective presentation of information, tools, materials, and equipment. While advancements in technology have improved much of the processes on a construction project, the medium of information dissemination at the construction work face has consistently relied on the use of two dimensional drawings and specifications.

Industry initiatives are driving increased collaboration through three dimensional BIM (Building Information Modeling) models. However, the added dimension partially loses its effect when presented on a two dimensional computer monitor. Other computer forms of presentation intended for mobility (PDAs, laptops, and tablets) can …

Water Quality Sensor Placement Guidance For Small Water Distribution Systems, Stacey L. Schal

Theses and Dissertations--Civil Engineering

Water distribution systems are vulnerable to intentional, along with accidental, contamination of the water supply. Contamination warning systems (CWS) are strategies to lessen the effects of contamination by delivering early indication of an event. Online quality monitoring, a network of sensors that can assess water quality and alert an operator of contamination, is a critical component of CWS, but utilities are faced with the decision of what locations are optimal for deployment of sensors. A sensor placement algorithm was developed and implemented in a commercial network distribution model (i.e. KYPIPE) to aid small utilities in sensor placement. The developed sensor …