Engineering Commons^™

Status Report For Selected Projects Containing Experimental Features, Kentucky Transportation Research Program

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Projects containing experimental features or innovative concepts were selected for long-term monitoring and are reported herein. Certain projects are recommended for more intensive investigation under other appropriate ongoing studies.

Vegetable Oil As An Emergency Fuel, E. Holmes, Joseph L. Taraba, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The unstable world political situation combined with the fact that a large amount of the world's oil reserves is located in the Middle East means we must continue to search for an alternate fuel source for our agricultural machinery. It is well-known that there is a limited amount of fossil fuels and even with no world political problems the demand will exceed supply in the not-too-distant future. The United States currently imports fossil fuels because we use more than we produce. Vegetable oils are a renewable resource. They offer a means of keeping our agricultural equipment operating in an oil …

Investigation Of Collapse Of Long-Span Structure Under Ky 80 In Floyd County, Ronald D. Hughes, David L. Allen, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Research Program (KTRP) was requested to obtain and review design, construction, and post construction documents relative to the long-span structure under KY 80 in Floyd County. Telephone and in-person contacts were made with various agency officials involved with the structure in an endeavor to collect pertinent data. Documents that were initially presented to KTRP staff were thoroughly reviewed and a draft report based upon information submitted was prepared. The draft report included a scenario relating to a probable sequence of events that could have been significant in the ultimate collapse of the structure.

Soon after distribution of …

Impact Evaluation Of The Lexington-Fayette County Traffic Alcohol Program (1982-1986), Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is a final evaluation of four years of increased police enforcement to reduce alcohol-related accidents in Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky. Three types of data were collected as a means of evaluating the Traffic Alcohol Program; accident data, arrest and adjudication data, and cost-effectiveness data.

Results from before-and-after comparisons and time-series analysis show alcohol-related accidents decreased significantly during the study period. When comparing two years before with four years during the increased enforcement, the reduction in alcohol-related accidents during hours of increased enforcement was 37.3 percent using standard before and after analysis and 36.4 percent using time-series analysis. For all …

Rutting And Longitudinal Cracking And Temperature Cracking: A Case Study (Us 23, Greenup County, Mp 6.0 To 28.8), James H. Havens, Gary W. Sharpe, David L. Allen, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

US 23, Greenup County, Ashland-South Shore, developed rutting and transverse and longitudinal cracking. The pavement was about 14 years old and had served heavy trucks. Road Rater tests, crack surveys, and various inspections had been made prior to the fall of 1985. Inspection and a report by KTRP led to further evaluation, examination internally by trenching, and additional tests and surveys. This report combines pertinent facts and records. It includes recommendations for overlayment.

Shrinkage Compensation Deck Concrete (Ky 1974 Bridge Over Tates Creek Road), David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the construction activities on an experimental bridge deck utilizing shrinkage compensating concrete. The experimental concrete is characterized in terms of freeze/thaw durability, compressive strength, and elastic moduli.

Lime Stabilization Of Pavement Subgrade Soils Of Section Aa-19 Of The Alexandria-Ashland Highway, Tommy C. Hopkins, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purposes of this study were to evaluate the effects of hydrated lime on the soils from Section AA-19 of the Alexandria-Ashland Highway and determine if the engineering properties of the soils from Section AA-19 could be improved by lime stabilization. Soil samples used in the study were obtained by· the Kentucky Transportation Research Program on March 25, 1986. Three bag samples were collected from Section AA-19 (Lewis County, Kentucky) of the Alexandria-Ashland Highway, Stations 1630 (Sample A), 1495 (Sample B), and 1675+50 (Sample C), respectively. Based on a review of the geology of Section AA-19, the three sampling sites …

Manual On Bridge/Culvert Maintenance, Gary W. Sharpe, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The basic objective of this course is to provide background (introductory) technical information that will aid the manager of bridge/culvert installations. In most instances, information presented may not be sufficiently complete for the student to perform the required work. However, the intent is more to familiarize than to instruct In many instances, professional engineering and experienced labor are necessary to ensure successful completion of tasks. Once the local official responsible for bridges and culverts has completed this workshop, he should have a basic understanding of

• the most common bridges/culverts encountered in counties and municipalities,
• the major components of common bridge/culvert …

Design Of Highway Embankment On Unstable Natural Slopes, Charles S. Bishop, Donald W. Armour Jr., Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Sections of the new Alexandria-Ashland (M) highway in northeastern Kentucky must be located on and through natural slopes of the Kope and Crab Orchard Formations that consist mainly of shales. Numerous highway embankment and cut slope failures have occurred In these two geologic formations In past years. The shales of these formations have very poor and undesirable engineering properties. Many stability problems encountered with the Kope and Crab Orchard shales are caused primarily by the tendency of those shales to breakdown when exposed to water and produce clays and clayey silts of relatively low shear strengths. Construction of highway embankments …

Distributions Of Strain Components And Work Within Flexible Pavement Structures, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An investigation was made to determine the location along the centerline of the axle of the maximum strain energy density, or work, in the pavement as defined by classical physics. The location is under the inside edge of either dual tire. The most influential strain was the shear component. The distribution of shear strains and stresses with depth through the full-depth asphaltic concrete and into the subgrade was investigated. Using Simpson's rule for an even number of increments, or using the trapezoidal rule, allows the summation of strain energy density calculated at various depths. This sum multiplied by a unit …

1986 Safety Belt And Child Safety Seat Usage Rates In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the survey summarized in this report is to establish 1986 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky to compare to those determined from previous surveys. Also included in this report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

Statewide usage rages in the 19 cities previously surveyed in 1982, 1983, 1984, and 1985 showed that driver safety belt usage increased in 1986 while child safety seat and safety belt usage remained at the 1984 and 1985 levels. The statewide usage rate of safety belts by drivers was 13.0 percent in …

Hydraulic Design Algorithms For Upgrading And Enhancing Water Distribution Systems, Don J. Wood, William T. Gilbert

KWRRI Research Reports

The primary objective of this work was to develop algorithms for directly determining design characteristics for effectively enhancing, modifying or adding to existing water distribution systems. This is accomplished by modifying the basic hydraulic network equations to explicitly determine required design parameters to just meet specified conditions. Initially work was completed on directly determining pipeline diameters and directly determining pipeline and network resistance characteristics. This work was published in technical journals and established the feasibility of the approach but did not demonstrate the scope and versitility of the proposed approach. In this report a general approach is developed and tested …

Evaluation Of I-75 Lane Closures, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A project on I 75 in Whitley and Laurel Counties during the 1986 construction season involved numerous lane closures associated with spot pavement replacement and joint sealing. Traffic congestion associated with heavy volumes and late merges resulted in the use of the following traffic control devices to supplement standard lane closure devices; 1) variable message signs, 2) supplemental lane closure warning signs, and 3) rumble strips placed in the lane to be closed in advance of the taper.

Results showed a decrease in the percentage of traffic in the lane to be closed with each successive traffic control device in …

Economic Analyses Of Millings, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Economic analyses were made using 1984 and 1985 contract bid data. Data were identified as to who retained ownership. Recommendations as to who retains ownership are made based upon factors prevalent for a specific candidate pavement and other circumstances.

Production Of Aflatoxin On Damaged Corn Under Controlled Environmental Conditions, D. M. Wieman, G. M. White, Joseph L. Taraba, I. J. Ross, Clair L. Hicks, Bruce E. Langlois

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Aflatoxin B₁ production by Aspergillus flavus (NRRL 6432) was determined on physically damaged corn stored at 35,25 and 20°C and at relative humidities of 97 and 92%. Production at lower relative humidities of 80 and 85% were also tested at 25°C. Production lag times were significantly different for all test conditions. Lag times ranged from 46 h at 97% relative humidity and 35°C to 173. 8 h at 20°C and 92% relative humidity. Aflatoxin B, concentration doubled every 6 to 10 hours after a level of 10 ppb had been reached. Production rate constants were not significantly different between …

Performance Monitoring Of A Highway Tieback Wall (I 71, Carroll County, Ky 227, Corrective Landslide Measure), Bobby W. Meade, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A tieback wall was used to control an earth slide on KY 227 in Carroll County. Herein is contained a description of the wall construction and problems encountered during construction. Also included are descriptions of materials used and wall components.

The short-term wall performance indicates the tieback wall has controlled the earth slide and, to date, is a satisfactory solution. Long-term monitoring of the tieback wall will continue.

Traffic Forecasting For Pavement Design, Harshad R. Desai, Rick Reel, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate, Ronald Noble, Vernon L. Tabery, Mark Hallenbeck, Dennis Crimmins, Wiley Cunagin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The need for improved traffic estimation procedures has been emphasized by several studies that demonstrated that previously available data were not adequate. Some data were not considered representative of actual traffic conditions because of overloaded trucks avoiding weighing scales and insufficient traffic sampling programs. In addition, previous forecasting procedures did not reflect the increases in legal load limits, the significant increase in the number of heavy trucks, or the shift toward larger vehicle types that has occurred in recent years.

Improved estimates of current traffic loadings based on larger samples of much higher quality data would allow development of procedures …

Evaluation Of Snowplowable Marker Installations, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The first large-scale contracts for the installation of snowplowable markers were awarded in 1984 and 1985. Stimsonite 96 and recessed markers were installed. The objective of this study was to evaluate the performance of the installations. Durability and reflectivity results show that both the recessed markers and Stimsonite 96 markers have performed effectively as snowplowable markers. The recessed markers should continue to be used only on four-lane highways constructed to high geometric standards with the Stimsonite 96 markers installed on the majority of highways.

Comparison Of Four Infiltration Models In Characterizing Infiltration Through Surface Mine Profiles, Larry G. Wells, A. D. Ward, I. D. Moore, R. E. Phillips

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A laboratory infiltrometer system was used to evaluate the infiltration process through reconstructed surface mine profiles. Six different profiles were subjected to constant simulated rainfall intensities for selected test conditions. Surface runoff rates were monitored and transient soil moisture contents in the profiles were measured with a gamma density gauge. Unsaturated hydraulic conductivity relationships were determined using Campbelfs method and the "zero-flux" procedure. The infiltration process was modeled by the SCS curve number method, a form of Holtan's equation, the Green-Ampt model and Richards' equation. SCS curve numbers were determined by fitting the method to the observed results. Richards' equation …

Evaluation Of Durable Lane Delineation Materials, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the study was to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of available marking materials by means of field tests and to make recommendations concerning the optimum lane delineation materials based on these tests. Materials tested include 100-percent solid epoxy paint, polyester paint, extruded thermoplastic, 3M Stamark tape, 3M Bisymmetric tape, EPOFLEX, solvent epoxy paint, chlorinated rubber traffic paint, and alkyd traffic paint. The test installations have been in place up to four years. The evaluation concerned the durability, reflectivity, and appearance of the materials. Based on current data, expanded use is warranted for 1) polyester paint on lower-volume asphaltic concrete …

Thickness Design Curves For Asphaltic Concrete On A 4-Inch Layer Of Dense-Graded Aggregate, Or On 6, 9, Or 12 Inches Of Stabilized Soil, Or For Maximum Utilization Of Dense-Graded Aggregate, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Durable Crosswalk And Stopbar Marking Materials, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to find the most cost-effective durable marking material to provide long-lasting stop bars and crossbars. Three materials were tested: 1) 3M Stamark tape, 2) Prismo preformed tape, and 3) extruded thermoplastic (hydrocarbon and alkyd). The various test installations were in place for between 6 and 30 months.

The alkyd-resin thermoplastic material was found to be the most cost-effective I material. The preformed tapes cost two to three times as much as the thermoplastic material while not providing as durable a material when used in this application.The alkyd-resin material maintained its appearance better than the …

Treatment Of Narrow Medians On Four-Lane Rural Roadways, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to investigate alternatives to paved mountable medians that have been used in the past on sections of four-lane, partially controlled access roads where right-of-way is restricted. These mountable medians present obvious operational problems due to the 3-inch difference in height as compared to the through lanes. In addition, construction and maintenance problems are associated with mountable medians because of the height differential.

A telephone survey of 16 states was conducted to determine their policy for separation of rural four-lane roads with partial control of access and narrow medians. Accident analyses comparing roads in Kentucky …

Stability Of Embankments On Clay Foundations, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Ninety-one well-documented geotechnical failures are reviewed. The case studies involved the failure of embankments, footings and load tests, excavated slopes, and natural slopes. Seventy-five of the geotechnical failures had been analyzed using total stress analysis. Sixteen of the case failures had been analyzed using effective stress analysis. Based on a review of these case studies, there are discrepancies between predicted and actual stabilities of geotechnical structures and there is a tendency tu overestimate the factor of safety. Differences that may arise between predicted and actual performances are discussed and examined and guidelines are proposed for evaluating the potential of successfully …

Documentation For 1986 Weight-Distance Tax Analyses Using Lotus 1-2-3, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Load Distributions And Axle And Tire Configurations On Pavement Fatigue, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Damage factor relationships for axle and tire configurations are presented. Adjustment factors are provided to account for variations in load distributions within axle groups, distances between axles of a tandem, and variations in tire pressure for both dual and flotation tires.

Properly accounting for accumulated fatigue of a pavement requires a traffic volume, proportions of vehicle styles (classifications) within the of service, estimate of the average damage factor for each classification, reasonable measure of traffic stream, dates and estimates of tire contact pressures.

All adjustment factors presented are based on analyses of a limited number of structures and should be …

Evaluation Of A Full-Depth Asphaltic Concrete Pavement, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Mark Anderson

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study was initiated to verify a newly-developed set of design curves for full-depth asphaltic concrete pavements. Quality control during construction was checked using nuclear density testers, Benkelman beams, and a Road Rater. During the course of this study, an analysis system (predicated upon the elastic theory model) was developed to interpret the dynamic deflections as measured by the Road Rater. The thickness design curves were verified by elastic theory and deflection testing within the accuracy of construction variations.

Measured rut depths were analyzed in terms of potential rut depth resulting from consolidation under traffic due to lack of obtaining …

Nondestructive Evaluation Of Rigid Pavements Using Road Rater Deflections [1986], Gary W. Sharpe, Mark Anderson, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Dynamic deflections have been used to determine in-place structural conditions of rigid pavements, based on modifications of principles and experience with the structural evaluation of flexible pavements. Details of the use of elastic layer theory to simulate deflection measurements associated with loadings for the Kentucky Road Rater are presented. Included is an illustration of the use of field deflection measurements to "back calculate" in-place moduli. The procedures are generally iterative and involve matching measured deflections with theoretical deflections. Elastic layer principles have been used to simulate deflections only at the mid slab position. Relationships regarding deflections at other locations on …

Use Of Nondestructive Testing To Prevent Failures Of In-Service Metal Bridges, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The failure of metal bridges, subject to in-service fracture problems mainly caused by fatigue, may be prevented or minimized by performance of periodic nondestructive testing. Attendant factors that justify funding for such inspections include the potential for bridge failure, the consequences of bridge collapse, risk analyses, and inspection strategies. Factors that affect structural integrity include structural design, construction quality, and service loadings.

Details of a computer/strain-gage system capable of obtaining strain-gage data from critical structural elements are described. Data are processed to determine the stress-range distribution, number of stress cycles, resolved mean stress range, need for structural inspection, critical crack …

Use Of Post Delineators On Interstates, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this report were to investigate 1) the potential benefits of using flexible posts for post delineators and 2) the possibility of not requiring post delineators on sections of interstate-type highways where recessed markers are installed.

It is recommended that post delineators should only be used when the design curvature is 1.5 degrees or more, and the spacing should be based on the formula given in Table III – 1 of the MUTCD. Data obtained concerning the performance of flexible posts do not support widespread use at this time. A testing program should be developed to obtain an …