Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Work Zone Safety Operations And Issues, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Work zone activities are one of the areas with a high potential for compromised safety for workers and road users. Various measures have been taken to increase the level of safety in work zones; including the use of double fines for speeding and the application of speed displays based on radar detection. There has been an effort to improve the effectiveness and safety of flaggers by requiring the use of a stop/slow paddle for most work zone conditions, using lights on the paddle, and increasing visibility by using more reflective clothing. It has been suggested that safety in work zones …

Evaluation Of Alternative Water Resources For Cape Coast And Its Environs In Ghana, Alex Kumah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Cape Coast once a national capital of Ghana and its environs in recent years have constantly suffered perennial acute water shortage. The Brimsu dam which takes its supplies from the Kakum River with current production capacity of 1.4 × 104 m3/day cannot meet the water needs of the study area. The operating levels of the dam during crisis have reduced from 7.3 meters to 4.7 meters over the years with subsequent reduction in water production by 35%. Recently, the operating level has reduced further to about 3.5 meters with 60% reduction in water supply. This study evaluated alternative water resources …

Corridor Mapping Using Aerial Technique, James Samuel Bethel, Boudewijn H W Van Gelder, Ali Fuat Cetin, Aparajithan Sampath

JTRP Technical Reports

With properly designed LIDAR control, assessment of 3D as-builts is attainable with an average over-all horizontal (planimetric) error of 0.324 ft (9.9 cm). Specifically, with an RMS error of 0.284 ft (8.7 cm) in Northing, and 0.255 ft (7.8 cm) in Easting. The average over-all vertical (height) error is 0.003 ft (0.1 cm) with a 0.108 ft (3.3 cm) RMS error. Lidar recognizable control (2m x 2m chevrons) was spaced at approximately 200m parallel to the direction of the axis of the project corridor, and at 60m sideway intervals. The project corridor was about 6 km long. Least Squares Image …

Development And Evaluation Of Lime Mortars For Restoration Of Historic Buildings And Monuments, Tarek Said Mahfouz

Archived Theses and Dissertations

Monuments and historic buildings and sites are regarded as a national treasure of any country. This is particularly true for Egypt that possesses a wealth of historic and heritage buildings covering the entire life span of human civilization. It must be preserved and safeguarded not only as historic evidences but also as works of art. Most of these structures used lime based mortars as binding material. These structures are deteriorating at a rate faster than our ability to renovate them. The repair and rehabilitation of old historic walls and mortars involve a complex interaction of existing and new elements. Engineers …

Inspection And Evaluation Of A Bridge Deck Partially Reinforced With Gfrp Rebars, Issam E. Harik, P. Alagusundaramoorthy, V. Gupta, Chris Hill, Choo Ching Chiaw

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The corrosion of steel can be a significant problem in bridge decks in which the reinforcing and prestressing steel are accessible to deicing salts and combinations of moisture, temperature and chlorides through cracks, leading to concrete deterioration and loss of serviceability. Fiber Reinforced Polymer (FRP) rebars have emerged as one alternative to steel reinforcement in corrosive environments.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the cracks formed on a bridge deck that is partially reinforced with glass fiber reinforced polymer (GFRP) rebars. The bridge constructed in 1997 is in Bourbon County, KY, on US460 over the Rogers' Creek. Its …

Evaluation Of Non-Nuclear Density Gauges, David L. Allen, David B. Schultz Jr., David Allen Willett

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

For the past several decades, density of freshly laid hot mix asphalt (HMA) mats has been measured by contractors, consultants or governmental agencies using nuclear density gauges. However, use of these devices requires the user to maintain an inordinate amount of records on the use of the equipment. These requirements include calibration and recalibration records, certification records of the operators, records on radiation badges, and periodic testing of the operator’s badges for radiation exposure. In addition, there is always the concern about possible accidents with the gauges that might expose the radiation source to the operators or other bystanders. Because …

Evaluation Of High Traffic Crash Corridors, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to: a) determine a procedure to use to identify corridors in each highway district for which a detailed analysis of crash data should be conducted (with resulting increased law enforcement activities, education programs and engineering improvement s); b) develop a procedure to use to analyze the crash data and recommend countermeasures; and c) conduct a case study analysis for one selected corridor.

A method which could be used to select high crash corridors, by highway district, was developed. The procedure involved: obtaining a list of rout es in each district which traveled through more …

Evaluation Of Kentucky’S Click It Or Ticket Campaign, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this report was to document the results of the Click It or Ticket campaign in Kentucky. The campaign involved a combination of earned media, paid media, and enforcement. The earned media started about three weeks prior to Memorial Day 2001 and continued through the enforcement period. The paid media started about two weeks prior to Memorial Day. The enforcement period was a two-week period including the week before and the week of Memorial Day.

The evaluation of the campaign included documenting the activities associated with the program (publicity and enforcement) and evaluating the results. The evaluation involved …

Development Of Closed Loop System Evaluation Equipment And Procedures, Eric J. Nelson, Montasir Abbas, Gary E. Shoup, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Technical Reports

Modern traffic control systems are complex entities whose performance should be thoroughly quantified prior to deployment. However, many of the advanced features available with this control equipment, such as preemption and real-time control strategies, are typically proprietary in nature, and therefore not incorporated into standard simulation models. Since it is not desirable for the engineer to learn in a field environment, under live traffic conditions, this research presents a rational procedure for evaluating and validating such control strategies in a laboratory setting. This document explores three aspects of traffic signal systems, which include the advanced control settings for single controller …

Truck Route Access Evaluation: Bath County Industrial Site, Off Of Kendall Springs Road Southwest Of Owingsville, Site #26, Brian Aldridge, Kenneth R. Agent, Lisa Aultman-Hall, David Cain, Nicole Lefever, Nikiforos Stamatiadis, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Freight Movement and Intermodal Access in Kentucky Study (SPR 98-189), undertaken by the Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) on behalf of the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC), has two main objectives. These objectives include 1) the evaluation of access for trucks between intermodal or other truck generating sites and the National Highway System (NHS) and 2) furthering the understanding of freight commodity flows throughout the state. This report summarizes the access evaluation for one cluster of facilities located in Bath County in the Gateway Area Development District (ADD) and KYTC Highway District #9. The location of the site is shown in …

Evaluations Of Wall Structures In Kentucky (Kyspr-85-107), L. John Fleckenstein, Brad W. Rister, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Approximately 209 retaining wall structures were visually evaluated under this study for long-term performance. The inspection included concrete crib, single-barrel and double-barrel culvert wing, metal bin, Gabion, rigid concrete, Keystone block, tiedback, mechanically stabilized earth (M.S.E.), Tech Wall, and sound walls. Significant structural distress was observed in several of the wall systems. This report discusses the performance of each wall system and makes recommendations on the future use of these systems.

1997 Safety Belt Usage Survey And Evaluation Of Effectiveness In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 1997 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 1997 survey documents the continuing results from enacting a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 100 sites and combined based on vehicle miles traveled for a given type of highway, rural or urban location, and county population category. Also included in the report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

The data show that the usage rate has stabilized at a level slightly below the high value which occurred in …

Evaluation Of Two-Dimensional Hydraulic Modeling In A Natural River And Implications In Instream Flow Assessment Methods, Karl L. Tarbet

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The Logan River was used as a study site to assess the capabilities of two-dimensional depth-averaged hydraulic modeling in the x-y plane of a natural river for use with instream flow studies. Data were collected to spatially represent the study reach with depth, velocity, northing, easting, elevation, and substrate values using a total station and electronic velocity meter. Computational finite element meshes were generated using four different density levels of geometry data to examine the relationship between field data density and computational mesh on geometry errors. Geometry errors were found to be related to smoothing effects, which removed complex channel …

Evaluation Of Speed Limits In Kentucky (Kyspr 96-172), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Joel M. Weber

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to examine current criteria and procedures used for setting speed limits on public roads and to recommend appropriate maximum speed limits for various types of roads. The study involved three major areas. These were: review of literature, collection and analysis of speed data, and collection and analysis of accident data. The speed data included collecting data on various highway types using the “moving” radar mode, use of data from speed monitoring stations, comparison of spot speed data before and after speed limit changes, and both moving and spot speed data at construction zones. Accident …

Preliminary Evaluation Of The Effects Of A Pumping Well On Existing Surface Water Resources Located In T. 12n, R. 2e, Sec. 23, Cache And Box Elder Counties, Denny J. Johnson, Richard C. Peralta

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This report contains the results of a preliminary study of the impact of pumping a well located in T. 12N, R. 2E, sec. 23, Cache and Box Elder Counties, Utah. A semianalytical capture zone analysis was performed to determine if pumping at the well is likely to reduce flow in Willow Creek or any of three springs in the surrounding area. The well has been used from 1974 to present and is sometimes pumped at 90 gallons per minute (gpm) (verbal communication, Veibell, 1996).

Analysis Of Vertebrate Pest Research, Jim Hone

Proceedings of the Seventeenth Vertebrate Pest Conference 1996

Research on vertebrate pest control is mostly empirical, focusing on control of species X in location Y using method Z. Such an approach is needed. The science of vertebrate pest research is developing some generalizations across species, locations, and methods. This paper further explores such generalizations by discussing six questions asked by Hone (1994), the answers to which are relevant to vertebrate pest research world-wide. Several case studies are examined, with emphasis on control of damage by small mammals and predation control. Suggestions are made for future research.

Summary Of Results Of 1994 Field And Laboratory Evaluations Of Pavement Marking Materials, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of data collected as part of the 1994 field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the National Transportation Product Evaluation Program (NTPEP). The purpose of the NTPEP is to pool the professional and physical resources of the individual participating AASHTO member departments and to focus those resources to test materials of common interest in order to improve cost-effectiveness.

The type of testing performed under the NTPEP will provide information that will be used to evaluate the acceptability of materials and to compare the performance of similar materials. The NTPEP also provides industry with …

Design And Evaluation Of Stepped Spillways For High Dams, Jeffrey Scott Rau

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this research was to investigate the hydraulic performance of stepped spillways. A thorough investigation was made of all printed material on stepped spillways, and a summary of this material is presented in the text. Data from experiments in the laboratory were used to develop a design procedure for stepped spillways and hydraulic jump stilling basins. The experimental study was conducted at Utah State University - Utah Water Research Laboratory in Logan, Utah. Four models were built and tested in the laboratory under various flowrates.

The crest of the model spillway was constructed in the shape of a …

Field Performance Evaluation Of Precast Concrete Box Culverts, Aluminum Culverts, And Galvanized Metal Arches And Pipe Arches, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Reported herein are the field performances of three different classes of culverts. The study included precast concrete boxes, precast arch culvert, aluminum boxes and pipe culverts, and several shapes of galvanized metal culverts. A total of 82 culverts were inspected throughout the state of Kentucky. Culverts were inspected in all 12 highway districts. A total of 15 precast concrete structures, 11 aluminum structures, and 56 galvanized metal structures were evaluated. This report discusses the distress observed in the three different classes of culverts and recommendations for future installations and possible maintenance schema for the existing culverts are included.

Final Evaluation Of Fhwa Technology Transfer Program At Herpicc, Purdue University, Robert K. Whitford

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

HERPICC received an increased level of funding to provide increased levels of the transfer of highway, road, and bridge related technology to the county and city officials involved in road management, operations or maintenance. The major reason for this evaluation task was to obtain some measure of how well the added funds achieved the intended purpose. The work was conducted by the Center of Public Policy and Public Administration.

Evaluation And Accessing Of Data For A Water Resources Simulator, Richard C. Peralta, Roberto Arce, Timothy Skergan

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This report evaluates the availability of data needed to use a groundwater simulation model for real time conjunctive water management in the Arkansas Grand Prairie. It is assumed that the goal of such management is to protect existing groundwater rights by maintaining water levels so that wells do not go dry, even in time of drought.

Sufficient hydrogeologic data exists to use the simulation model to predict the effect of known pumping rates on groundwater levels. Developing an optimal set of "target" levels and annually managing pumping to achieve those levels requires additional data: fall groundwater levels, degree of connection …

Evaluation Of A Welded Wire Retaining Wall, Jerold Albert Bishop

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The purpose of this paper is to evaluate the performance of a Welded Wire Retaining Wall and present design recommendations for its future use. Field data from the instrumentation of a Welded Wire Retaining Wall as well as laboratory data from a study of welded wire fabric as a reinforcing agent for soil was gathered. A study of the theory and practice of reinforced soil construction was made. On the basis of this study and the experimental data obtained, the wall is evaluated and design recommendations presented.

Farm Irrigation System Evaluation: A Guide For Management, John L. Merriam, Jack Keller

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

This manual describes and explains detailed procedures for field evaluation of the performance of several types of sprinkle, surface, and trickle (drip) irrigation systems and of management practices. Most chapters include lists of equipment needed for performing these evaluations, give step-by-step instructions for gathering data in the field, show sample forms for recording and organizing these field data, and present sample studies that demonstrate the entire process. The book includes analyses and recommendations for a few actual case studies.

The introduction states and explains the general concepts of uniformity, efficiency, and management that are used in evaluating each system and …

Pavement Roughness Measurement And Evaluation, Rolands L. Rizenbergs, James L. Burchett, Larry E. Davis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Vertical accelerations of a passenger in an automobile are automatically summed while traveling a section of road at 51.5 mph. A roughness index is obtained by summing the accelerations and dividing by the time elapsed during the test. The index is subjectively related to the riding quality of pavements. Continuity in measurements since 1957 has been preserved through correlations among successive vehicles involved and reference pavements.

In general, bituminous construction has yielded smoother-riding surfaces than concrete construction. No major improvements in construction were noted on bituminous pavements since 1962. The ride quality of concrete pavements, however, has improved on those …

Evaluation Of A Vibratory Roller For Use In Compacting Bituminous Concrete Mixes, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

According to Article 4.3.5-D-1 of the 1956 Edition of Kentucky's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, a minimum of two rollers, one 3-wheeled roller and one tandem roller, shall be required on each state project involving bituminous concrete paving operations. A further requirement of the specifications is that additional rollers will be provided so that there is avaHable "...at least one roller for each 30 tons of the bituminous mixture per hour..." that is laid. This, of course, means that for paving operations involving the laying of the bituminous mixture at rapid rates, the contractor must have available and …