Engineering Commons^™

Buffer Law And Transitional Roughness Effect In Turbulent Open-Channel Flows, Junke Guo, Pierre Y. Julien

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A novel and complete velocity profile law is presented for turbulent open channel flows. The law embeds the linear law in the viscous sublayer; the quartic law due to turbulent bursting that must satisfy instantaneous mass conservation, the modified log-wake law in the outer region and the effects of wall roughness. Specifically, an arctangent law smoothly connects the linear law with the log law of the wall. Combining the arctangent law with the modified log-wake law, a continuous velocity profile is proposed for smooth boundary conditions. A complete velocity profile is obtained after subtracting a new roughness function. Finally, the …

Development Of A Tl-5 Vertical Faced Concrete Median Barrier Incorporating Head Ejection Criteria, Scott Rosenbaugh, Dean L. Sicking, Ronald K. Faller

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Phase Iii Development Of A Short-Radius Guardrail For Intersecting Roadways, Cody S. Stolle, Karla A. Polivka, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Climate Change On Aquatic Invasive Species And Implications For Management And Research (Powerpoint Presentation), Britta Bierwagen, Roxanne Thomas, Kathryn Mengerink, Austin Kane

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Staff Publications

Contents:
Five Key Lessons from Report
Climate Change Effects on Aquatic Ecosystems
Climate Change Effects on Aquatic Invasive Species may…
Other stressors may…
Why focus on AIS?
This Report Includes
Report Process
Climate Change & Invasion Pathway
Climate Change & Interacting Stressors
AIS Management Activities
State Managers’ Reported Concerns
Capacity to Adapt to Climate Change
Accounting for Changing Conditions
Information & Research Needs
Research Recommendations
Possible Next Steps
On-going Activities

Midwest Guardrail System For Long-Span Culvert Application, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking, James C. Holloway, Karla A. Polivka, John D. Reid, Erin M. Allison

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of The Midwest Guardrail System (Mgs) W-Beam To Thrie Beam Transition Element, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Robert W. Bielenberg, Karla A. Polivka, Dean L. Sicking, John D. Reid, Craig M. Eller, Erin M. Allison

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Manure Testing: What To Request?, Charles A. Shapiro, Charles S. Wortmann

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Manure testing is necessary to make optimum use of manure while protecting water resources. This publication is a guide to providing information on a Manure Sample Sub­mission Form for reliable interpretation of results.

The tests most frequently needed to optimize nutrient management are total and ammonium nitrogen (NH₄-N), phosphorus (P₂O₅), potassium (K₂O), pH, soluble salts, sodium, and dry matter content.

Nitrogen. Manure contains both organic and inorganic forms of nitrogen. Ammonium-N is the primary inorganic form in manure and is readily available to crops. Nitrate-N concentration is usually too small to …

Evaluation Of Irrigation Strategies With The Dssat Cropping System Model, Derek M. Heeren, Hal D. Warner, Todd P. Trooien

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

Water is becoming an increasingly valuable commodity with shortages and water rationing more commonplace. Since irrigation is the largest consumptive use of water in South Dakota, accounting for over 70% of the water withdrawals, irrigation water management is critical to make the best use of the water available. This project uses the CERES-Maize cropping system model (available in DSSAT v4) to study the impact of various irrigation management strategies on corn production. SDSU management software developed by Oswald (2006) is used to simulate a center pivot for specific locations and years. Weather data from several sites in the Great Plains …

Implementation Of The Aashto Lrfd Code In Geotechnical Design, Andrzej S. Nowak, Marek Kozikowski,, Tomasz A Lutomirski, Piotr Paczkowski, Jordan Larsen

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Estimating Business And Residential Water Supply Interruption Losses From Catastrophic Events, Nicholas Brozovic, David L. Sunding, David Zilberman

Daugherty Water for Food Global Institute: Faculty Publications

Following man-made or natural catastrophes, widespread and long-lasting disruption of lifelines can lead to economic impacts for both business and residential lifeline users. As a result, the total economic losses caused by infrastructure damage may be much higher than the value of damage to infrastructure itself. In this paper, we consider the estimation of economic impacts on businesses and residential consumers resulting from water supply disruption. The methodology we present for estimating business interruption losses assumes that marginal losses are increasing in the severity of disruption and that there may be a critical water availability cutoff below which business activity …

Effects Of Aggregates On Properties And Performance Of Mastics And Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures, Francisco Aragão

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material.

Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were …

Design Aids For Threaded Rod Precast Prestressed Girder Continuity System, Maher K. Tadros, Leslie D. Martin

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Streambank Stabilization Using Traditional And Bioengineering Methods:A Literature Review, David M. Admiraal

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Pilot Study On Real-Time Calculation Of Arrival Type For Assessment Of Arterial Performance, Edward J. Smaglik, Darcy M. Bullock, Anuj Sharma

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The Highway Capacity Manual uses the arrival type (AT) as a mechanism to account for the quality of traffic signal coordination in the calculation of delay at a signalized intersection. Although there is much discussion in the literature regarding the accuracy and precision of this approach, the AT parameter provides a simple mechanism for grading the performance of traffic signal coordination. This paper describes data collection limitations of current traffic signal controllers and proposes a procedure where the AT parameter can be calculated by traffic signal controllers in real time. Given that the nation received a score of 61 out …

Blowout Penstemon (Penstemon Haydenil) Endangered Species, James Stubbendieck, Kay Lynn Kottas

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Laying The Groundwork For Odor Control And Setback Estimation In Nebraska, Rick R. Stowell

Department of Biological Systems Engineering: Papers and Publications

The goal of this field research study was to validate use of the Odor Footprint Tool (OFT) with livestock building sources in rural communities. The primary objective was to evaluate the accuracy of predictions of annoyance potential (as projected by odor concentration output data from AERMOD^® - the OFT's underlying dispersion model) when compared to measures of annoyance potential made in the field. Odor assessors were trained to monitor odors around a 4,800-head finishing site in eastern Nebraska. During the summer of 2005, mobile odor assessors monitored odor levels at downwind locations. During the spring and summer of 2006, …

Traffic Noise Barrier System: U.S. Patent No. Us 7,220,077 B2, Eric C. Humphries, Stephen D. Barratt, Ronald K. Faller, Keith J. Kurz, Dean L. Sicking

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A crashworthy traffic noise barrier system for use alongside a path of traffic, the crashworthy traffic noise barrier system comprises a crashworthy longitudinal barrier extending substantially parallel to the path of traffic and a crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall supported by the longitudinal barrier. The crashworthy traffic noise barrier wall includes a plurality of upstanding posts attached to the traffic noise barrier wall, at least one panel supported between each adjacent pair of posts in the plurality of upstanding posts, and at least one longitudinal beam spaced above a top surface of the longitudinal barrier and extending across the plurality …

A Performance-Based Incentive Program For Asphalt Pavement, Tim Wentz, Satya Peruri, Wayne Jensen, Bruce Fischer

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Survey Of The Golden-Cheeked Warbler On Fort Hood In Support Of Nepa Requirements, Bruce Macallister, Tim Hayden, Michael Baranski, Rebecca Peak

US Army Corps of Engineers

This research on the golden-cheeked warbler (GCW) was con-ducted on Fort Hood, Texas, during April and June 2006. Subject matter experts on Fort Hood were consulted and helped determine which areas of the installation contained suitable GCW habitat but were not already included in The Nature Conservancy’s intensive study program. Researchers then surveyed one of these areas, documenting the presence of GCW. This research was conducted to determine if data collected in the intensive study area has been successfully extrapolated to other areas of habitat on the installation.

The collected data showed that the territory density was lower than those …

Effect Of Backwashing On Perchlorate Removal In Fixed Bed Biofilm Reactors, Young Chul Choi, Xu Li, Lutgarde Raskin, Eberhard Morgenroth

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The influence of backwashing on biological perchlorate reduction was evaluated in two laboratory scale fixed bed biofilm reactors using 1- or 3-mm glass beads as support media. Influent perchlorate concentrations were 50 μg/L and acetate was added as the electron donor at a concentration of 2 mg C/L. Perchlorate removal was evaluated at various influent dissolved oxygen (DO) concentrations. Complete perchlorate removal was achieved with an influent DO concentration of 1 mg/L resulting in bulk phase DO concentrations below the detection limit of 0.01 mg/L. The influence of increasing influent DO concentrations for 12 h periods was evaluated before and …

Centerline Curbing Treatment At Railroad Crossings For Improved Safety, Aemal Khattak, Dwight L. Mosby Jr., Gregory Mcknight, Brian Gardner

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objectives of this research were to study unsafe actions of motor vehicle drivers at railroadhighway grade crossings, to evaluate centerline barriers in reducing those unsafe driver actions, and to note any maintenance or other issues with the barriers. Driver actions were observed at two railroad crossings before and after installation of centerline barriers. A comparison of observed driver actions in the pre- and post-barrier periods provided information on the effectiveness of the barriers in reducing unsafe driver actions while periodic inspection of the centerline barriers provided information on maintenance needs. A major concern of the Nebraska Department of Roads …

Three Innovative Concepts For Short Span Steel Bridges, Aaron Jon Yakel, Atorod Azizinamini, Mohammadreza Farimani, Nazzanin Mossahebi

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Analysis Of Fat Intake Based On The U.S. Department Of Agriculture’S 1994–96, 1998 Continuing Survey Of Food Intakes By Individuals (Csfii), U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Staff Publications

Many chemicals found in the environment tend to accumulate in fatty tissue. Assessing potential risks from these chemicals in food requires knowledge of dietary habits and the amount of fat present in various types of foods. The National Center for Environmental Assessment of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA’s) Office of Research and Development has conducted an analysis of fat consumption across the U.S. population. The analysis used data derived from the U.S. Department of Agriculture’s 1994–96 Continuing Survey of Food Intakes by Individuals (CSFII) and its 1998 Supplemental Children’s Survey and the EPA’s Food Commodity Intake Database (FCID). Percentiles …

Safety Performance Evaluation Of Minnesota's Temporary Rigid Panel Sign Stand Systems, Karla A. Polivka, James C. Holloway, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Design And Evaluation Of An Open Combination Traffic/Bicycle Bridge Railing System, Jason A. Hascall, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking, Karla A. Polivka, Ronald K. Faller, James C. Holloway M.S.C.E., E.I.T.

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

2007 Government And Industry Pipeline R&D Forum Report

United States Department of Transportation -- Publications & Papers

Eleven government and industry organizations working through a steering committee, organized, planned and executed this forum. The forum brought together over 240 representatives from State, Federal, and international government offices together with domestic and international natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators, along with several research providers and technology vendors. The forum’s goals included identifying key challenges facing industry and government, sharing information on current research efforts, and identifying research that can help to meet the challenges. The organizing committee included presentations recognizing emerging technology success stories and federal government approaches to technology transfer of research during the forum.

Safe & Reliable Ethanol Transportation & Storage Technology Roadmapping Workshop Summary Results

United States Department of Transportation -- Publications & Papers

Biofuels, especially ethanol, are gaining attention as partial replacements of imported fuels and to offset CO2 emissions from the burning of fossil fuels. Consequently, legislation is being proposed to mandate a significant increase in ethanol usage as a fuel over the next 20 years. The planned wide-spread usage of ethanol will require an efficient and reliable transportation and storage system that encompasses both the existing infrastructure and new construction. The fuels are currently being transported by rail, truck, and ship; however, in order to economically transport biofuels from producers to users on a large scale, safe and reliable transportation by …

Rd&T Program Overview 2007

United States Department of Transportation -- Publications & Papers

PHMSA Mission

PHMSA Supports DOT Goals

RD&T Overview

PHMSA RD&T Program Appropriations

Pipeline Safety RD&T

1. External Stakeholder Involvement In Developing Research Agendas

1. External Stakeholder Involvement “Elements of Implementation”

1. External Stakeholder Involvement “Indicators of Implementation”

2. Merit Review of Proposals “Elements of Implementation”

2. Merit Review of Proposals “Indicators of Implementation”

3. Independent Evaluation of Research “Elements & Indicators of Implementation”

4. Performance Measurement “Elements of Implementation"

4. Performance Measurement “Indicators of Implementation”

5. RD&T Coordination “Elements of Implementation”

5. RD&T Coordination “Indicators of Implementation”

Hazardous Materials Safety RD&T

Hazmat Elements & Possible Products

Peer Review Report 2007

United States Department of Transportation -- Publications & Papers

The purpose of this document is to report findings from the research peer reviews held March 27-29, 2007 for PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety Research and Development Program. The findings and recommendations in this report derive from the scoring and comments collected from the peer review panelists.

Department of Transportation (DOT) Operating Agencies (OA) are required to develop and execute a systematic process for peer review plan for all influential and highly influential information the OA plans to disseminate in the foreseeable future.

Through the Information Quality Act1, Congress directed Office of Management and Budget (OMB) to “provide policy and procedural guidance …

Field Demonstration Report Enhancing Direct Assessment By Inspection Through Coatings And Buried Regions Of Non-Piggable Pipelines, Emat Ultrasonics, Inc.

United States Department of Transportation -- Publications & Papers

Sonic Sensors of EMAT Ultrasonics Inc, with support from Pacific Gas and Electric as well as Southern California Gas has an R&D Contract with the DOT, PHMSA, OPS No. DTPH56-06-T-0009. The goal of this contract was to develop a method to inspect the full body of a pipe without having to remove the coating or completely excavate the pipe as shown in Figure 1. External Corrosion Direct Assessment, ECDA, depends on exploratory digging to evaluate the condition of suspect coatings detected by cathodic protection CIS. Minimizing the extent of excavation required to perform an ECDA evaluation has obvious cost savings …