Engineering Commons^™

Collection And Analysis Of 2013-2014 Travel Time Data, Mei Chen, Xu Zhang

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the findings of Planning Study 27, Collection and Analysis of 2013-2014 Travel Time Data, which is a continuation of Planning Study 24, Analysis of Historical Travel Time Data. The main scope is to analyze newly acquired link-referenced speed data on Kentucky roads from 2013 and 2014.

Results of the analysis demonstrate the value of probe data in measuring and tracking the performance of roadways across several years. In addition, such data can help KYTC and MPOs identify bottlenecks in the network, prioritize improvement strategies, and assess the effectiveness of projects. As data collection techniques advance, …

Post Earthquake Investigation Field Manual For The State Of Kentucky, Ann G. Sardo, Thomas E. Sardo, Issam E. Harik

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The rapid assessment of a bridge structure’s safety and functionality is an essential component to restoring vital lifeline routes after a major earthquake. Appropriate posting categories are used to assure the safety of the traveling public. The objective of this manual is to provide a rapid and efficient method of inspecting bridge structures after an earthquake. The primary users of this manual are intended to be the initial Kentucky Transportation Cabinet personnel who will initially reach the bridge sites. It is recognized that such first-line personnel will possess a variety of backgrounds and, therefore, a systematic method of evaluating the …

Shear Strength Of R/C Beams Wrapped With Cfrp Fabric, P. Alagusundaramoorthy, Issam E. Harik, Ching Chiaw Choo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The emergence of high strength epoxies has enhanced the feasibility of increasing the shear strength of concrete beams by wrapping with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabric. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the increase in shear strength of concrete beams wrapped with different configurations of CFRP fabric. Shear tests are conducted up to failure on two reinforced concrete control beams and twelve reinforced concrete beams wrapped with four different configurations of CFRP fabric. An analytical procedure is presented to predict the shear strength of beams wrapped with CFRP fabric. Comparisons are made between the test results and …

Flexural Behavior Of R/C Beams Strengthened With Cfrp Sheets Or Fabric, P. Alagusundaramoorthy, Issam E. Harik, Ching Chiaw Choo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The resistance to electro-chemical corrosion, high-strength to weight ratio, larger creep strain, fatigue resistance, non-magnetic and non-metallic properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites offer a viable alternative to bonding of steel plates in repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures. The objective of this investigation is to study the effectiveness of externally bonded CFRP sheets or fabric in increasing the flexural strength of concrete beams. Four-point bending flexural tests are conducted up to failure on nine concrete beams strengthened with different layouts of CFRP sheets and fabric, and three beams with different layouts of anchored CFRP sheets. An …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1993 - 1997), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report includes an analysis of traffic accident data in Kentucky for the years of 1993 through 1997. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of accidents 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 accidents.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data which can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety …

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 …

A Computerized Analysis Of Flexible Pavement Rutting Behavior (Pavrut), David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Flexible pavements are known to fail in several modes, one of which is rutting. In an effort to determine where in the pavement structure and to what extent rutting occurs and to determine the factors that control rutting, a comprehensive laboratory testing program was performed. Various traffic and environmental parameters were controlled in the study; and from the data, mathematical models that describe the rutting characteristics of an asphalt concrete, a dense graded aggregate, and a subgrade soil were formulated. Details of the materials, equipment, and laboratory procedures were reported by Allen in a previous report. Also, the mathematical models …

Analysis Of Pavement Roughness, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In earlier progress reports dealing with the development of triaxial acceleration analysis as applied to the evaluation of pavement riding qualities, of which this report is a continuation, riding comfort or discomfort was emphasized. The accelerations monitored then were evaluated in terms of g's per sec., or "jerk" which is considered by some authorities to be a more significant index of comfort. The earlier methods of analysis have been reviewed, and acceleration is considered here to be the most practical parameter to use as a measure of pavement roughness. Most of the equipment and instrumentation has been retained, and the …