Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®
Articles 1 - 10 of 10
Full-Text Articles in Engineering
Evaluation Of A Computer Vision Traffic Surveillance System, Robert Graham
Evaluation Of A Computer Vision Traffic Surveillance System, Robert Graham
All Theses
This thesis presents an evaluation of the accuracy of a novel computer vision traffic sensor - developed by the Clemson University Electrical and Civil Engineering Departments - capable of collecting a variety of traffic parameters. More specific, the thesis examines how the camera height and distance from the travel way affects the accuracy. The details of the quantitative and qualitative evaluations used to validate the system are provided. The parameters chosen to evaluate were volume, vehicle classification, and speed. Experimental results of cameras mounted at heights of 20 and 30 feet and a lateral distance of 10 and 20 feet …
Assessing Asr Potential Of Hardened Concrete And The Use Of Rice Husk Ash To Mitigate Asr, David Wingard
Assessing Asr Potential Of Hardened Concrete And The Use Of Rice Husk Ash To Mitigate Asr, David Wingard
All Theses
This two part research study was created to first develop a new process using existing test methods to determine the Alkali-Silica Reaction (ASR) potential of hardened concrete that is exposed to external alkalis and secondly to determine the ASR mitigation potential of using rice husk ash (RHA) as a supplementary cementitious material (SCM). The first part of the research study was completed by using a new aggregate extraction procedure that uses a combination of hydrochloric acid treatments and abrasion to remove the cement paste from the aggregate. This extracted aggregate was then crushed down to the specified sizes and used …
Seismic Fragility Curves For A Typical Highway Bridge In Charleston, Sc Considering Soil-Structure Interaction And Liquefaction Effects, Matthew Bowers
Seismic Fragility Curves For A Typical Highway Bridge In Charleston, Sc Considering Soil-Structure Interaction And Liquefaction Effects, Matthew Bowers
All Theses
Evidence from historical earthquakes suggests that the vulnerability of highway bridges is significantly affected by large permanent ground deformations caused by liquefaction as well as soil-structure interaction (SSI). The vulnerability of a typical multi-span simply-supported (MSSS) concrete girder bridge found in Charleston, South Carolina, is evaluated with consideration for liquefaction and SSI effects. In general, existing bridges in this region were not originally designed with consideration for seismic events or liquefaction of underlying soils. Fragility curves that represent the probability of exceeding predefined performance levels of damage given an earthquake of a particular intensity are used to evaluate the effects …
A Pilot Study On The Effects Of Temperature On The Material Properties Of Prestressed Concrete And The Use Of Thermogravimetric Analysis In The Assessment Of Heat-Affected Concrete, Kacie Caple
All Theses
An understanding of the material property changes in building materials due to exposure to a fire is needed for accurate damage assessment of a structure. Discussion pertaining to material property changes and the bond between concrete and prestressing steel following elevated temperature exposures is presented. Evaluation of the use of thermogravimetric analysis (TGA) as a post-fire analysis tool to determine the maximum temperature exposure of concrete is also included.
Heated concrete cylinders were tested to determine the compressive strength and modulus of elasticity changes of concrete. Heated steel prestressing strands were tested in tension to determine changes in the ultimate …
Experimental And Analytical Application Of The Hodd Method For The Detection Of Damage, Jacob Merkley
Experimental And Analytical Application Of The Hodd Method For The Detection Of Damage, Jacob Merkley
All Theses
Detecting damage location and severity in civil engineering structures has become an important research topic in the past several decades. Various non-destructive damage identification methods using dynamic properties from ambient and forced vibration have been developed. Researchers have shown that higher order derivatives of mode shapes of the 2nd and 4th order can be effective in detecting damage in civil engineering structures. Furthermore, these higher order derivatives are sensitive to small changes in global stiffness facilitating the detection of small degrees of damage.
In this study a modal analysis is performed on analytical and experimental simply supported beams using the …
Performance Based Contracting And Improving The Current Contracting Process, Troy Berkland
Performance Based Contracting And Improving The Current Contracting Process, Troy Berkland
All Theses
The primary objective of the research described in this report was to suggest improvements to the maintenance contracting process currently utilized by the South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT). A secondary research objective was to examine to what extent SCDOT could migrate more toward performance based, as opposed to method based, highway maintenance specifications.
A comprehensive literature review indicated some states had successfully implemented performance based specifications for a wide range of maintenance activities whereas others had not. Some states have adopted performance based specifications as part of a comprehensive asset management program whereby the contractor typically performs all routine …
Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Roadway Design Treatments For Transitioning From Rural Areas To Urban Areas Using A Driving Simulator, Candice Hein
All Theses
Traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death in the United States. Rural roads are especially hazardous as they account for 60 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Three main reasons for the rural road problems are high speeds, low volumes, and reduced driver awareness. This is particularly problematic where these roads navigate through communities requiring reduced speeds. Drivers who aren't alert and are driving too fast often miss the reduced speed warning signs and often don't slow until after they have entered the community. Therefore, engineers must do something to the design of the roadway environment …
Assessment Of Driver Speeds, Compliance In Rural School Zones: Comparison Of Speed By School Level And Time Of Day, Stuart Day
All Theses
TThis study analyzed driver's speeds prior to entering school zones as well as the speeds traveling through school zones. A comparison was conducted to determine if drivers complied with school speed zones using only the standard school sign arrangement found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device. Two rural school zones in Oconee County, South Carolina were analyzed in this study as rural areas tend to have higher speeds and fewer other factors that could contribute to changes in driver behavior. In order to gather data, data collection devices known as Hi-Stars were placed in the roadway on both …
Steer It And Clear It: Effectiveness Of Quick Clearance Legislation, Amy Carol Hamlin
Steer It And Clear It: Effectiveness Of Quick Clearance Legislation, Amy Carol Hamlin
All Theses
Innovative incident management strategies have been sought by transportation professionals to minimize the impacts of incidents on traffic operation and safety. Some current quick clearance strategies such as 'Steer It and Clear It' legislation in South Carolina, which requires driver(s) of involved vehicle(s) in a minor incident to move vehicles promptly from the traveled roadway prior to the arrival of the first responders, can potentially reduce the duration of an incident. The research detailed in this paper endeavored to measure the benefit of the Steer It and Clear It law on a section of I-85 in South Carolina. A simulation …
Evaluation Of Different Contra-Flow Strategies For Hurricane Evacuation In Charleston, South Carolina, Liz Stephen
Evaluation Of Different Contra-Flow Strategies For Hurricane Evacuation In Charleston, South Carolina, Liz Stephen
All Theses
The number of category four and five hurricanes has nearly doubled over the past decade. Charleston, the second most populous city in South Carolina, is located on a very low peninsula, making it susceptible to floods during hurricanes and storm surges. In the event of a hurricane, the population at-risk must be evacuated to safety as quickly as possible. The Interstate system is the primary mode to evacuate at-risk population out of Charleston. Effective traffic management strategies are needed to manage the significant increase in demand on highways during the evacuation and contra-flowing traffic has been applied as a strategy …