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Highway Skid Resistance, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The physics of friction and traction are reviewed. Hypotheses are presented. Use of a scanning electron microscope to detect and identify polishing aggregate is presented.

Size reduction (crushing) produces greater concentrations of sharp edges, reducing flat and plane surfaces not otherwise contributing to traction.

Surface permeability and drainage through macrotexture was evaluated by an air-percussive device. An air-efflux device was contrived for evaluating hydroplaning potential and for evaluating open-graded surface courses. In-filling has been observed where road debris is abundant.

Grippers and sharpness are needed for wet traction . Drainage is needed to lower hydroplaning potentials. Sand-sizes optimize the concentration …

Problem Identification For Highway Safety Plan (Fy 1984), Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Tom Creasey

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An annual highway safety program is proposed each year for the State of Kentucky in order to comply with Section 402, Title 23 of the United States Code. This program includes the identification, programming, budgeting, and evaluation of safety projects. This report is the fifth in a series of annual reports which have been included as the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety Plan.

In the past, the approach to problem identification has been to identify problem areas in the 18 highway safety program areas (standards). While the search for problems in each of these standard areas will …

Crushed Rock Bases, James H. Havens, Gary W. Sharpe

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Prepared in cooperation with the US Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration.

Gradations containing high, medium, and low percentages of fines were evaluated by laboratory tests and by behavioral responses in situ. Significant differences in strength parameters were not found. Differences in densities were not significant.

Identification Of Shales, Tommy C. Hopkins, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Engineering tests were performed on 40 different types of shales. Both hard and soft shales, as well as shales having histories of embankment failures and shales having little known involvements, were tested. The suitability of ten different slake-durability test procedures were evaluated as a means of broadly characterizing the engineering performance of Kentucky shales. Two procedures devised during the study appeared to better characterize slake-durability properties than procedures previously proposed. Natural water contents and jar slake tests were performed to determine if such tests might provide a fairly rapid means of identifying troublesome shales. The natural water content of a …

Predicting Infiltration And Surface Runoff From Reconstructed Spoils And Soils, Larry G. Wells, Andrew D. Ward, Ronald E. Phillips

KWRRI Research Reports

A laboratory system was fabricated to measure infiltration and runoff from spoil and soil profiles constructed in rectangular bins. Construction, calibration and operation of a rainfall simulator is discussed and instrumentation used to measure transient infiltration and transmittance of water through experimental profiles is described.

Spoil and soil materials from surface mines in Eastern and Western Kentucky were transported to the laboratory and used in constructing experimental profiles in rectangular bins (0.91 x 1.83 x 1.07 m). An extensive series of infiltration experiments were conducted utilizing a rainfall simulator and soil moisture monitoring instrumentation. A dual probe gamma density gauge …

Modeling Surface And Subsurface Stormflow On Steeply-Sloping Forested Watersheds, Patrick G. Sloan, Ian D. Moore, George B. Coltharp, Joseph D. Eigel

KWRRI Research Reports

A simple conceptual rainfall-runoff model, based on the variable source area concept, was developed for predicting runoff from small, steep-sloped, forested Appalachian watersheds. Tests of the model showed that the predicted and observed daily discharges were in good agreement. The results demonstrate the ability of the model to simulate the "flashy" hydrologic behavior of these watersheds.

Five subsurface flow models were evaluated by application to existing data measured at Coweeta on a reconstructed homogeneous forest soil. The five models were: Nieber 's 2-D and 1-D finite element models (based on Richards' equation), the kinematic wave equation, and two simple storage …

Water Under Pavements, James H. Havens, Gary W. Sharpe

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the construction and performance of a Cedergren-type underdrain system. Other installations of edge drains are reported for record. Outflows have been sufficient to cause minor erosion of fill slopes. Road Rater tests disclosed no weaknesses. Remaining life was estimated.

Geotechnical, Hydrologic, And Hydraulic Investigation Of Mill Creek Dam-Phase Ii, Tommy C. Hopkins, Ronald D. Hughes, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The general scope of this study, Phase II, was to assess the safety of Mill Creek Dam. Findings obtained from detailed geotechnical, hydraulic, and hydrological investigations are presented. The structural stability, as well as the hydrological and hydraulic stability, were investigated. Specifically, objectives of the study were as follows:

1. To determine the engineering characteristics of the clay core, shells, and random fill. 2. To evaluate the potential for piping. 3. To evaluate seepage conditions at the site. 4. To evaluate the structural stability of the earth and rockfill dam. 5. To evaluate erodability. 6. To assess geologic conditions at …

User’S Manual For Dynamic Programming For Highway Safety Improvement Program, Jesse G. Mayes, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The term, dynamic programming, was first used by Bellman to represent the mathematical theory of a multistage decision process. Dynamic programming is applied to allocate expenditures so that maximum benefits result. Three types of applications of dynamic programming are single-stage, multistage, and multistage with a time factor. Single-stage programming is used to evaluate a single project having several alternatives. Multistage programming involves selection of several projects having several alternatives. Multistage dynamic programming with a time factor is used where several projects and alternatives are considered and where various time periods are involved.

The Alabama Highway Department did considerable work on …

Movement Of Bacteria Through Macropores To Ground Water, M. Scott Smith, Grant W. Thomas, Robert E. White

KWRRI Research Reports

Effects of soil type, flow rate, antecedent soil moisture and other factors on transport of E. coli through soils was measured on disturbed and intact columns 20 cm in diameter by 25 to 30 cm in depth. Added E. coli were distinguished from indigenous microbes using an antibiotic resistance marker. Transport of Cl^- and ³H₂O was also measured. Up to 96 percent of the bacteria irrigated onto the surface of intact columns were recovered in the effluent. Soil structure appeared to be related to the extent of transport. Columns prepared from mixed, repacked soil were much …

Effects Of Surface Application Of Dairy Manure On The Infiltration Rate And Quality Of Surface Runoff, Joseph L. Taraba, I. J. Ross, John D. Bottom, Bill J. Barfield

KWRRI Research Reports

Dairy manure was surface spread on 12 ft x 12 ft plots on an established fescue pasture in the summer and fall of 1981 and 1982. The soil was a Maury silt loam. A simulated rainfall was applied to plots to test the effects of nitrogen loading rate (75, 150, and 300 #N/acre) time delay between manure application and the simulated rainfall events (0, 3, 6, 24, 48, 96 hours and a 120 hour test repeated on 0 hr plot with 300 #N/acre), and type manure (semi-solid - 1981 and liquid - 1982) on the concentrations of pollutants in the …

College Of Law Commencement Program, 1983, University Of Kentucky

Graduation Programs

No abstract provided.

Traffic Accident Rates In Kentucky (1981), Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics in Kentucky for 1981. Those statistics could then be used in Kentucky's high-accident location identification program. Similar statistics were determined in 1978 and 1980. The objective is to calculate rates on an annual basis to allow the most recently available data to be used as well as the possibility of combining several years of data or conducting trend analyses.

Average accident rates were calculated using several methods of classifying highways. A series of tables were prepared giving criteria that may be used to determine whether specific locations have …

Energy In Agriculture: Planning A House With An Energy Future, Clifford A. Flood, Blaine F. Parker, Donald G. Colliver

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

If you are planning a new house, consider the following. Suppose the price of energy for residential space heating and domestic water heating doubles or triples during the next 10 years. Will your new house be prepared for such a future? Have you given the energy required to operate your home equal importance to building site, style, floor plans and construction materials?

Improved Structural Monitoring With Acoustic Emission Pattern Recognition, David W. Prine, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A unique acoustic emission monitoring system originally developed for inprocess weld monitoring has been used to monitor fatigue crack growth in a highway bridge during normal traffic loading. The system was able to clearly and reliably detect the presence of fatigue cracks that were adjacent to a row of bolts. The results of the brief experiment show that the signal processing used in this AE system may allow drastic improvements in the ability of acoustic emission to reliably detect propagating bridge flaws under adverse conditions.

Development Of A Portable Retroreflectometer, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There is a need for a portable retroreflectometer which can perform reflectivity measurements in the field . This could eliminate the need for subjective ratings or taking samples of materials from the field to test in the laboratory. This report describes the development of a portable retroflectometer (PRR).

A PRR was built with the objective of approximating the angles of incidence and divergence used in the ESNA Reflex-Photometer (ESNA). Tests showed a good relationship between readings taken with the PRR and ESNA. The recommendation was made that the PRR is suitable for use as a means of measuring reflectivity in …

Biomass Gasifier Combustor, Frederick A. Payne, Ira J. Ross

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to a biomass gasifier combustor which operates by gasification and combustion of the biomass to produce a clean effluent gas which can be used directly for grain drying or other applications where thermal energy is required. This biomass gasifier combustor burns crop residue clean enough so that the combustion gases can be used directly for grain drying without the need for a heat exchanger to isolate the combustion gases from the drying air. The biomass gasifier combustor includes a screw feeder tube having a screw feeder disposed therein. The screw feeder forces the biomass into …

Hydraulic Analysis Of Surcharged Storm Sewer Systems, Don J. Wood, Gregory C. Heitzman

KWRRI Research Reports

Surcharge in a storm sewer system is the condition in which an entire sewer section is submerged and the pipe is flowing full under pressure. Flow in a surcharged storm sewer is essentially slowly varying unsteady pipe flow and methods for analyzing this type of flow are investigated. In this report the governing equations for unsteady fluid flow in pressurized storm sewers are presented. From these governing equations three numerical models are developed using various assumptions and simplifications. These flow models are applied to several example storm sewer systems under surcharge conditions. Plots of hydraulic grade and flow throughout the …

Forage Moisture Testers, George Turner, Doug Overhults

Kentucky Alfalfa and Stored Forage Conference

The quality of forage used for feed is affected by the moisture content at which it was harvested and stored. To guess moisture content from experience or by hand squeezing and wadding is not accurate enough for today's methods of putting up hay, haylage or silage.

There are several very accurate and rapid types of sophisticated moisture indicators used in various industries, but these are too complex and costly to be considered for portable use by farmers. Other smaller instruments are also available that do a less accurate but acceptable job of determining moisture content of forage. One of these …

Traffic Safety Analysis: University Of Kentucky Area, Kentucky Transportation Research Program

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The concept of Transportation System Management (TSM) is based on the use of transportation facilities for the efficient and safe movement of people and goods. Through a grant administered by the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Government contracted with the University of Kentucky (UK) to develop and implement a "Ridesharing Program" and a "Minor Traffic Control Improvements Program".

Discussions of the traffic safety problems around the University area by the Lexington-Fayette Urban County Council coincided with UK's initial work in the traffic safety portion of the grant. Following those discussions, a request was made by the Council …

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 Lost Times At Signalized Intersections, Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

When determining the capacity of a signalized intersection, knowledge of certain traffic parameters is necessary. The previous investigation conducted under this study dealt with an analysis of saturation flow values. The objective of this investigation was to determine appropriate values to use for lost times at signalized intersections. The lost times at the beginning and ending of the phases were analyzed, as well as lost times during the phase due to the interference of pedestrians, local buses, and opposing traffic for left turns. Factors affecting those lost time values were identified. The lost time values, along with the previously identified …

Design Of Oil Shale Disposal Embankment, Vincent P. Drnevich, Tommy C. Hopkins, Samuel S. Hale

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Mining processes and associated regulations for oil shale development in eastern United States are discussed with emphasis given to overburden and spent shale disposal at the mining site. Curves are presented which allow for quick determination of stripping ratios, overburden quantities and oil shale quantities. Procedures are outlined for determining quantities of materials to be disposed and graphs are given for sizing various zones of the disposal embankment. These procedures are demonstrated with an example.

Stability of slopes and magnitude of settlement are functions of the engineering properties of the embankment materials. Procedures for obtaining these data are from field …

Development Of A Thickness Design System For Portland Cement Concrete Pavements, Herbert F. Southgate, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen, Donald C. Newberry Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report covers the merger of criteria used in the Portland Cement Association's and MSHTO's pavement thickness design systems. The combined criteria is coupled with the principle of equal work as defined in classical physics to produce thickness design curves for portland cement concrete pavements. The thickness of portland cement concrete varied by approximately 0.15 inches for the same CBR and design EAL when the thickness of crushed-stone base varied from 3 to 6 inches. Therefore, the design thickness of the portland cement concrete is relatively insensitive to changes in thickness of the crushed stone base.

Engineering Properties Of Two Spent Shales And Minus 1/4-Inch Raw Shale For The Means Project, Vincent P. Drnevich, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A geotechnical investigation was performed to determine the physical properties (classification) and engineering properties of the Sunbury oil shale from a proposed oil shale mining site in Montgomery County (Means Project). Three materials were recieved in sealed metal drums and were labeled Raw Oil Shale (only material less than 0.25 inch), Sunbury, spent shale, and Sunbury shale (2.5-inch to 1/4-inch). The material labeled Sunbury, spent shale, (hereafter referred to as Spent Shale No. 1), has very little fines and the particles were angular in shape. The Sunbury, spent shale, 2.5-inch to 0.25 inch, (hereafter referred to as Spent Shale No. …

Crop Harvester Including A Quickly Adjustable Semi-Floating, Self-Steering Cutter Head, Larry D. Swetnam, James H. Casada, Linus R. Walton

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to an easily adjustable, semi-floating, self-steering cutter head for row crops. The present invention incorporates self-steering capabilities, a cut-off mechanism and a quick-adjustment into a single integral unit. Direction sensing is accomplished by utilizing a feeler arm or a set of feeler arms which follow the plant stock row or other protrusions or indentations. Forces detected by the guidance sensors are transmitted to a ring which is a part of the housing and/or shielding of the cut-off device. The steering forces may be transmitted to a steering system through a single connection. The present invention …

Bevolute Gear System, Willis M. Carter

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention relates to a bevolute gearing system which transmits torque between non-intersecting shafts at right angles to each other. The bevolute gear system includes a pinion gear which is flat and in one plane. The pinion gear is designed to include teeth which are shaped in the form of an involute spiral. The bevolute gear system includes a second gear which is also designed to include teeth which are shaped in the form of an involute spiral. The second gear is mounted on a non-intersecting axis at a right angle to the axis of the pinion gear. The …

Limiting Swine Stress With Evaporative Cooling In The Southeast, Robert L. Fehr, K. T. Priddy, Samuel G. Mcneill, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Three-hourly weather data for 7 locations in the Southeast and Central United States were used to evaluate the feasibility of evaporative cooling for reducing swine stress. Stress was defined as a relationship between dry and wet bulb temperatures which exceeded a stress index of 85. This analysis indicates that properly installed evaporative coolers could reduce the number of hours that stress would occur in swine facilities from 89.6 to 96.4% depending on location.

A Dairy Cow Housing System Featuring Motel Free Stalls, Robert L. Fehr, William L. Crist

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

The term motel free stalls describes a milking cow housing system that utilizes roof area which protects only the free stalls. Alleys are only partially protected by the roof overhang. This system provides little protection from extreme temperatures but can provide some summer protection if properly constructed. Motel free stall systems reduce the initial cost of constructing lactating cow housing. Motel free stall system described in this paper should be used with caution in climatic regions colder than Kentucky because of limited protection from extreme cold temperatures. This paper describes the application of motel free stall housing systems and a …

File Editing On The Hp3000 For The Sedimot Ii Computer Model, David S. Logsdon, Richard C. Warner

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Since the release of the SEDIMOT II model, the Agricultural Engineering Department has taught approximately 300 consulting and mining engineers, reclamation specialists, government agency personnel, and academia. The program is being used on all types of computer systems, company owned as well as time sharing vendors. Over 50 firms are using the HP3000 system of the College of Agriculture at the University of Kentucky under arrangements with the Institute for Mining and Minerals Research, Office of Informational Services and Technical Liaison.