Architectural Engineering Commons^™

Bridge Deck Replacement For Minimum Expected Cost Under Multiple Reliability Constraints, Mark G. Stewart, Allen C. Estes, Dan M. Frangopol

Architectural Engineering

The present paper investigates the effect of limit state selection (strength versus serviceability) on bridge deck life-cycle costs and thus on optimal repair strategies. Such a comparison may then help determine whether safety or functionality (or both) are important criteria when optimizing bridge life-cycle performance and costs. The structural element under consideration is a reinforced concrete bridge deck; namely, a State Highway Bridge in Colorado. Two limit states are considered: ultimate strength and serviceability. The exceedence of either of the limit states considered herein will result in deck replacement; namely, if the reliability index falls below a target reliability index …

Construction Management Internship And Co-Op Programs Stakeholder Needs Assessment.Pdf, Khalid Siddiqi

Faculty and Research Publications

This study analyzes various types of internships and co-op programs offered by universities which are accredited by the American Council of Construction Education ACCE. Practical training requirements for Bachelor of Science BS Construction students and construction companies needs are also assessed. Responses to a questionnaire survey which was administered to program directors of ACCE accredited programs construction firms and construction students provide information about existing types of internship and co-op programs. Student perspective and preferences sought through an internship or co-op position in the Construction Industry were also identified in the study. Construction companies seeking new graduates for employment consider …

Objective And Subjective Evaluation Of The Use Of Directional Sound Sources In Auralizations, Lily M. Wang, Michelle C Vigeant

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

Omni-directional sources are often used in room acoustic computer simulations, as opposed to directional sources, since measured directivity data are quite limited and difficult to obtain. The purpose of this study is to investigate the objective and subjective significance of adding more complex directivity to the sources used in computer simulations and auralizations. A simple hall was used as the modelled space in the software program ODEON. Three source positions on stage and three receiver audience positions were chosen. Impulse responses (IRs) were calculated for the nine source/receiver combinations, using (a) an omni-directional source, (b) a highly directional source beaming …

Interactions Of Model Detail Level And Scattering Coefficients In Room Acoustic Computer Simulation, Lily M. Wang, Jonathan Rathsam, Steven Ryherd

Durham School of Architectural Engineering and Construction: Faculty Publications

A previous study by the author showed that varying the geometric detail level across a normal range for room acoustic computer modeling has little effect on the results of those computer simulations, if major surfaces in the hall are still constructed accurately. Scattering coefficients were kept constant across all detail levels. If one were using lower levels of detail, though, one might assign different material scattering coefficients to compensate for the less mixing geometry. To study the interaction between model detail level and scattering coefficient selection, three performance spaces in Omaha, Nebraska have been modeled in ODEON at varying levels …

Updating Reliability Of Steel Miter Gates On Locks And Dams Using Visual Inspection Results, Allen C. Estes, Dan M. Frangopol, Stuart D. Foltz

Architectural Engineering

As both reliability analyses and systematic inspection programs for the world’s infrastructure gain increased usage and prominence, it becomes more important to use the information from routine visual inspections to update lifetime reliability assessments and resulting life-cycle inspection/repair strategies. The Army Corps of Engineers currently uses reliability analyses to economically justify the major rehabilitation of navigation structures. This paper illustrates how the Condition Index visual inspections for locks and dams can be modified and used to update the reliability analysis of a steel miter gate. The miter gates on two existing locks and dams along the Mississippi River are used …

The Providence River Relocation Project, Architecture Department, Bruner Foundation

Rudy Bruner Award | 30 Years of Urban Excellence

The Providence River Relocation project in Rhode Island’s capital city redirected rivers, overhauled transit infrastructure, and created a new riverfront downtown. Thirty years in the making, the relocation of the Woonasquatucket and Moshassuck rivers, construction of a new rail station, highway interchanges, and twelve bridges restored historical links among Providence’s Capital Center, College Hill, and downtown. The project improved traffic flow in and through downtown and added pedestrian-friendly spaces, including 1.5 miles of river walks, along with a new urban park including a restaurant, amphitheater, fountain, and boat landing.

Redirecting the rivers created new, marketable commercial land without demolishing …

Thermal Insulation In Building Design: A Comparison Of Insulation Materials, Patrick Williams

Opportunities for Undergraduate Research Experience Program (OURE)

In any type of construction, thermal inefficiency is a costly problem. Currently, we base our decisions on which insulation material to use based on R-values given by the manufacturers. Testing will allow a direct comparison of the actual insulating performance efficiency of materials and will prove or disprove the R-value as a reliable means of comparing their insulating properties. This project will test various construction and insulation materials to develop R-values in true building applications. The key areas investigated will utilize a test box built with varying insulation materials and a direct source of heat. Through this testing, the most …

An Improved Optimal Elemental Method For Updating Finite Element Models, Zhongdong Duan, B. F. Spencer, Guirong Yan, Jinping Ou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Optimal Matrix Method and Optimal Elemental Method Used to Update Finite Element Models May Not Provide Accurate Results. This Situation Occurs When the Test Modal Model is Incomplete, as is Often the Case in Practice. an Improved Optimal Elemental Method is Presented that Defines a New Objective Function, and as a Byproduct, Circumvents the Need for Mass Normalized Modal Shapes, Which Are Also Not Readily Available in Practice. to Solve the Group of Nonlinear Equations Created by the Improved Optimal Method, the Lagrange Multiplier Method and Matlab Function Fmincon Are Employed. to Deal with Actual Complex Structures, the Float-Encoding …