Engineering Commons^™

Freeway Incident Likelihood Prediction And Response Decision-Making, Samer Madanat, Hongyu Pan, Pen-Chi Liu, Hualiang Teng

JTRP Technical Reports

This research project consisted of two parts. The first part developed a set of real-time incident likelihood prediction models. The second part developed a freeway incident response decision-making methodology based on sequential hypothesis testing methods. The freeway incident likelihoods predicted by the real-time prediction models act as prior probabilities for the freeway incident response decision-making system. The products of this research project will be incorporated in the Advanced Traffic Management System that is being implemented on the Borman Expressway, a 16-mile segment of I-80 in northwest Indiana. The decision-making system can be used by traffic management personnel to assist in …

Minimum Crushed Aggregate Requirements, Haiming Huang, Thomas D. White

JTRP Technical Reports

An accelerated pavement testing facility has been developed by Purdue University for the Indiana Department of Transportation. The test facility includes a test pit in which prototype scale pavement sections can be installed. The Accelerated Pavement Tester loading system has the capability of applying moving wheel loads to the test sections. An initial study utilizing the accelerated pavement test facility has been conducted at Purdue University to determine the minimum crushed aggregate requirements in asphalt mixtures in Indiana. This study addresses effects of various constituents of the asphalt mixture on pavement rutting. The factors included in this study are aggregate …

Indot Multimedia Applications Prototype Development, Bob G. Mccullouch

JTRP Technical Reports

Multimedia technologies open a new data set for DOT organizations. By adding pictures, sounds, animation, and video, new computer applications can be developed that will bring many benefits. This project investigated the utilization of multimedia into DOT operations. Applications were developed in three different topical areas: Employee Information or Orientation, a Bridge Plan Reading course, and a Construction Equipment utilization prototype. The first two are fully developed implementable tools that will be utilized by INDOT. These developments provide insight into how multimedia can be a useful tool for training and providing performance support to DOT employees. Other tools can be …

An Evaluation Of The Cost Effectiveness Of The Hoosier Helper Program And Framework For The Design Of Its Optimal System Configuration, Phase 1, Steven P. Latoski, Raktim Pal, Kumares C. Sinha

JTRP Technical Reports

This research provides a benefit-cost analysis for each of two distinct Hoosier Helper operating scenarios: daytime patrol and 24-hour patrol. The computation of agency cost involves an aggregation of equivalent annual investment cost, employee salaries and fringe benefit, overhead cost, and maintenance cost for Hoosier Helper. The following components comprise the estimation of Hoosier Helper benefits: non-recurrent congestion delay savings, secondary crash reduction, and vehicle operating cost savings. The results of an analysis of over two thousand evaluations from motorists assisted by Hoosier Helper are also presented.

Prediction Models For Incident Clearance Time For Borman Expressway (Vol. 1; Vol. 2: 96/11), Samer Madanat, Ahmed Feroze

JTRP Technical Reports

This research consisted of two parts; this report is Volume 1 of 2 Volumes; Volume 2 is Report No. FHWA/IN/JHRP-9611. The first part developed a set of incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The second part consisted of modeling driver’s route choice behavior under the influence of advanced traveler information systems. Volume 1 of this report describes the incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The prediction of incident clearance time from these models can facilitate in efficient incident management and support traveler information systems. The products of this research project will be incorporated in …

Automating Field Data Collection In Maintenance Operations, Bob G. Mccullouch

JTRP Technical Reports

Field data collection and management in DOT organizations requires a considerable amount of resources in the form of personnel and management systems. Recent studies performed by the researcher revealed that an average of 30-50% of some field supervisory personnel's time is spent on processing field data paperwork. This is a considerable amount of time spent on an undesirable task and is taking these employees away from more important job duties. This project automated two maintenance field data collection functions. One was a Crew Day Card, which is a card used by a maintenance crew to document the activity performed. Information …

Moment-Rotation Relationship For Unified Auto-Stress Design Of Continuous-Span Bridge Beam And Girders, Donald W. White, J. A. Ramirez, Karl E. Barth

JTRP Technical Reports

This report summarizes the development and trial application of simplified moment-rotation relationships for inelastic design of continuous-span beam and girder bridges. The research described within involves the execution of a reasonably comprehensive set of finite element parametric studies to fill in knowledge gaps in the available experimental data pertaining to the hogging moment-plastic rotation behavior of steel and composite steel-concrete bridge girders. Based on these studies, relationships have been developed for the moment-plastic rotation behavior at the pier sections in these types of bridges. The moment-rotation model is validated against available experimental data, several focused new experimental tests, and current …

Study Of Side Ditch Liners For Highway Application, Anthony S. Calderon, Philippe L. Bourdeau

JTRP Technical Reports

Over the past few years, the INDOT new materials department has received numerous erosion control products (mostly geosynthetics) to evaluate as alternatives to riprap and concrete in ditch liners. Potential benefits include lower construction costs and better aesthetics over current products. Unfortunately, no specification, design methodology, or classification system currently exists for these erosion control blankets.

In this project's phase I, existing information and knowledge on erosion control materials used to line highway side drainage ditches were investigated. From the available technical1iterature (journal and conference publications, other DOTs specifications, manufacturer documentation, independent test laboratory test data), design methodologies, classification system, …

Volumetric Exchanges Between A Managed Marsh And A Coastal Estuary, Ashok Pandit, John H. White, Antonis A. Kakoullis, Satish B. Akula, James R. David

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The dominant term in the estimation of net flux calculation, between a marsh and a source of tidal water is often the exchange of water. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the methodology used to estimate the volumetric exchange of surface waters between a managed marsh and the Indian River Lagoon during the managed and unmanaged periods. The paper also documents the simplifying assumptions that had to be made to estimate the exchanges both during the managed and unmanaged period. These assumptions had to be made either because the data were limited mainly due to …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Testing Of Multi-Span Bridges With Full Span Precast Prestressed Concrete Panels (Phase 1), Robert J. Peterman, J. A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior and durability of multi-span bridges constructed with full-span prestressed concrete form panels. The use of full-span prestressed concrete form panels for bridges with spans of 40 ft. or less is an economical method of construction due to the reduction of on-site formwork and labor required by alternate cast-in-place systems. In this research, a pair of two-span bridges utilizing full-span prestressed concrete form panels were fabricated and tested in the Karl H. Kettelhut Structural Engineering Laboratory at Purdue University. Time-dependent effects were monitored during the cast-in-place (CIP) concrete cure period of …

Multiobjective Optimum Design Of Static And Seismic-Resistant Structures With Genetic Algorithm, Fuzzy Logic And Game Theory, Dan Li

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this research is to develop a constrained multiobjective optimization method in the form of a robust, practical, problem-independent algorithm, and to investigate the effect of multiobjective optimization on structural design.

This research studies the properties and characteristics of multiobjective optimization and solutions. Design objectives, constraints and design variables as well as their effect on structural design and behaviors are investigated. Dynamic input energy for a multidegree-of-freedom structure is formulated. A multiobjective optimization algorithm based on game theory is developed. Fuzzy set theory is introduced to construct a fuzzy constrained environment. A Pareto genetic algorithm is developed based …

Development Of A Congestion Management System For Indiana, Robert K. Whitford, Jennifer L. Opsuth

JTRP Technical Reports

This study details a procedure used in determinng links with deficiencies. A procedure was developed by means of which congestion on raodways links can be identified as being congested will be subjected to a more detailed study to determine extent, duration, and severity of congestion. The procedure was developed by the use of the Highway C apacity Manual (HCM) and the Indiana Department of Transportation's (INDOT) Road Inventory Data Base.

Fracture Mechanics Of High Strength Concrete Members, Rajendra K. Navalurkar

Dissertations

This study investigates the behavior of High Strength Concrete (HSC) under uniaxial state of stresses. Emphasis is placed on experimental evaluation of important mechanical and fracture properties. Owing to high brittleness of HSC, experimental results especially on tensile behavior have been largely limited and scarce. In this research, direct uniaxial tension tests are employed for determination of the post-peak tensile softening characteristics of HSC. The softening characteristics of high strength concrete is found to be considerably different than that of normal strength concrete (NSC). Fracture energies evaluated form the descending branch of the stress softening reveal significant drop in the …

Relationship Between Precipitation, Surface Runoff, And Shallow Water-Table, Manoj Patel

Theses

In this study, a model was developed to describe the relationship between precipitation, surface runoff, and shallow groundwater table in a watershed that is subjected to groundwater extraction and urbanization. Regression analysis of fourteen years (1976-1989) of time series data for precipitation, stream discharge, ground water elevation, and groundwater extraction yielded good correlation between these parameters.

Analysis of the data associated with groundwater recharge and discharge events that occurred in the watershed from 1976 to 1989 yielded a high correlation between the above cited parameters. Regression analysis utilized to predict monthly variations in groundwater elevations showed a fair correlation between …

Characterization Of Rainfall Runoff Quality From A Shipyard Drydock, Peter Pommerenk

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Water quality and hydrological data were collected during seventeen rain events and additional data was obtained from laboratory experiments to characterize the quality of stormwater runoff from a drydock located on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia.

The results indicated that the concentrations of dissolved constituents in drydock runoff increased with decreasing flow rate, while solids concentrations exhibited positive correlation to flow rate, suggesting that the mobilization of particulate matter is velocity driven. Approximating the runoff hydrograph due to a storm event using a simple model enabled derivation of the average time that rainwater resides on the drydock surface before …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Long-Term Effects Of Seawalls On The Adjacent Nonwalled Beaches Of A Historically Receding Shoreline, Bryan Norton Jones

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Great debate has arisen in recent years over the effects seawalls may or may not have on the erosion rate of a historically receding shoreline. A primary obstacle to the formation of definite conclusions about this subject is the lack of long-term physical data, which must be collected prior to and following seawall construction. This thesis presents the results of a study using 15 years of beach profile data to determine how seawalls influence the existing erosional trends of the beach at Sandbridge, Virginia.

Three analysis methods using three time scales (historic, seasonal, and storms) were used to answer three …

Comprehensive Conjunctive-Use Management Of Connected Surface Water Groundwater Systems Using Stochastic Inputs And Uncertainties, Seshadri Suryanarayana

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A comprehensive conjunctive-use management model is developed. The dynamics of flow and solute transport processes in connected surface water groundwater systems are integrated by a dual programming management model. The governing aquifer flow parameters and streamflows are treated as stochastic random processes. Multiple realizations of the random field are generated and are explicitly incorporated in a non-linear optimization model along with other system, environmental, and management constraints. To facilitate management of large aquifer systems, a linked simulation-optimization approach is used. The simulation program generates the response matrices for flow and transport processes. The management model then determines optimal well discharges …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

A New Chip-Set For Astra Digital Radio, Werner Bradinal, Christoph Moeller, Timothy A. Philpot, Mike Rose

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

This chip-set provides the channel and source decoding functions for ASTRA Digital Radio (ADR) receivers. An overview of the system is given together with a summary of the main features of the ICs. The chip-set offers a flexible, but optimum solution to meet the requirements for low cost consumer sets.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

The Constant Fracture Angle Model For Cementitious Materials, Suk Ki Kim

Dissertations

Fracture mechanics of concrete has been investigated for the past two decades using linear elastic and nonlinear fracture mechanics concepts. The models proposed so far remain questionable largely due to specimen dependency of the proposed fracture parameters.

In this study, a new approach for modeling the fracture characteristics of concrete and fiber reinforced concrete is proposed. The model depends on the load CMOD relationship rather than the traditional load-deflection principle. Although energy consumed during fracture is definitely a direct function of the load displacement response, it was observed that traditional displacement measurement included an extraneous and erratic portion due to …

Development Of A Multivariate Qsar Model To Predict Desorption Of Halogenated Aliphatic Hydrocarbons From Activated Sludge Solids, Sudhi Ranjan Mukherjee

Dissertations

Data collected from different wastewater treatment processes have provided statistically significant evidence that many toxic organic contaminants on EPA's list of priority pollutants concentrate several orders of magnitude greater than influent concentrations in industrial and municipal wastewater sludges. Because of the reversibility of sorption processes, it is possible for sorbed organic compounds to desorb at a later time, hence making disposal of these sludges a potential problem. Although a number of models have been developed to predict sorption parameters, they have all been based on empirically derived descriptors whose validity is seriously compromised by the variation in available data for …

Discrete Element Modeling Of Dry Granular Material Using A Massively Parallel Supercomputer, David W. Washington

Dissertations

It is the state-of -the-art within Geotechnical Engineering to model soils as systems of particles rather than using the traditional continuum approach. Simulating these systems of particles for geotechnical boundary value problems results in systems which are of necessity large, motivating the application of massively parallel supercomputers. This thesis pursues such an approach.

The following work describes numerical experiments using a Discrete Element Method (DEM) paradigm for soils (Trubal) together with massively parallel computers with Single Instruction Multiple Data (SIMD) architecture. The discrete element method describes the behavior of granular assemblies using the classical mechanics of discrete bodies. The computational …

Development Of A Fiber Optic Polarimetric Sensor For Concrete, Insang Lee

Theses

Development of a fiber optic sensor for embedment in cementitious composites and measurement of displacements associated with the opening of microcracks is described. The sensor can be employed as a transducer for measurement of crack tip opening displacements during fracture tests. A polarization maintaining fiber is used as the sensing element, and transduction mechanism is similar to those of other polarimetric type based sensors. However, the deformation resolving power of the sensor is increased by way of increasing the effective length of the optical fiber. This is done by winding the optical fiber into a coil. A direct relationship between …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Implementation Of Alf Results To Designing Flexible Pavements In Louisiana, Ludfi Djakfar

Doctoral Dissertations

The Louisiana Transportation Research Center (LTRC) recently conducted a research effort using the Accelerated Loading Facility (ALF). The objective of the research was to evaluate a limited number of alternative base materials and construction techniques envisioned to provide a significant reduction in the occurrence of shrinkage and reflected block cracking in the cement-stabilized bases. Nine test sections were constructed for this research, using the same wearing course material but having different thicknesses of crushed stone and soil cement bases and subbases. The soil cement base is the most commonly used base material in Louisiana, whereas crushed stone is a preferred …

A One-Dimensional Model For Storm Breaching Of Barrier Islands, Cheol Shik Shin

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

A set of numerical models is developed for simulating the four stages of barrier breaching characterized by one horizontal spatial dimension.

The SBEACH model is employed for the first stage of dune/beach erosion. The Lax-Wendroff two-step explicit scheme for Stage II is developed to simulate initiation of ocean flood propagation on initially dry barrier islands and the method of characteristics (MOC), is employed to compute additional boundary data. The development of the Preissmann implicit scheme for water motion and a forward time centered space explicit scheme for sediment motion in Stages III and IV provide a tool to study the …