Engineering Commons^™

Cost Estimating And Forecasting For Highway Work In Kentucky [1995], James D. Stevens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There is a need for better cost estimating and forecasting for highway work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KRS45.245 grants the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation oversight of the biennial highway plan, including a review of all authorized highway project phases that exceed their estimates by 15%. In recent years, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has suffered the loss of many resources necessary to produce good cost estimates.

Estimates developed using current methods are not sufficiently accurate to preclude cost overruns in excess of 15%. Since enactment of KRS45.245 (1 July 1992 263 overruns, totaling nearly $117 million, have been submitted …

A Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Program For Kentucky Pavements, Jack A. Harison, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the development of a life-cycle cost procedure and program for project-level pavements. Included in this report are the descriptions of the models that are included in the computer program. A traffic growth model is described along with performance models for asphaltic concrete pavements and Portland cement pavements. The program calculates when rehabilitation is predicted at all future dates during the design life or analysis period. Recommended overlay thicknesses are also given. Because maintenance costs for Kentucky are not available, maintenance is treated as an annual, per square- yard quantity. User costs, in the form of a delay …

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Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

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Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Design Of Automotive Structural Components Using High Strength Sheet Steels Effect Of Strain Rate On The Structural Strength Of Cold-Formed Steel Hybrid Beams, Chi-Ling Pan, Wei-Wen Yu

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

INTRODUCTION In cold-formed steel design, local buckling is one of the major design features because of the use of large width-to-thickness ratios for compression elements. For the purpose of determining the load-carrying capacity of automotive components, the effective width approach has been used. In view of the fact that the design criteria for effective design width included in the AISI Automotive Steel Design Manual 1 are based on the test results for static loading condition, an investigation was conducted at University of Missouri-Rolla from January 1988 through December 1991 to study the validity of these effective design width formulas for …

Composite Beam Analogy Fracture Model (Cbafm) : A Non-Linear Fracture Mechanics Model For Concrete, Mohammed Enamul Haque

Dissertations

The main objective of this dissertation is to develop a simple non-linear fracture mechanics model for the determination of fracture mechanics parameters for concrete, such as fracture process zone length (rp), critical fracture energy release rate (Gic), critical stress intensity factor (KO and fracture energy (GF). The fracture process zone (FPZ) is modeled as a damaged non-elastic cohesive band where the extent of damage due to microcracking varies from no damage at the boundary of FPZ to complete crack surface separation at the notch or macro-crack tip. The proposed method can predict theoretically both the pre-peak and post-peak load versus …

A Study Of Transit Corridors Within The Njtpa Region, Mark Kagen Berger

Theses

Identifying potential bus and rail transit corridors for the North Jersey Transportation Planning Authority (NJTPA) region by examining current travel patterns of commuters was the purpose of this thesis. The current transit corridors within the NJTPA region was discussed first, followed by the methods for selecting specific municipalities for analysis. At this point, specific examinations of the selected municipalities' origin and destination travel patterns were mapped. The results were then summed up, along with a discussion of potential new bus and rail transit corridors based on trips originating along a corridor enroute to the same municipality. The final discussion examined …

Hydrodynamic And Water Quality Modeling Of The Whippany River, John E. Krohn

Theses

The Whippany River is located in northern New Jersey and is a major tributary to the Passaic River System. This waterway accepts a wide variety of wastes from the diverse communities within its watershed. These wastes contribute to a rather complex network of biological, chemical and physical interactions.

The purpose of this study is to develop a water quality model using QUAL2E. This model will be used as a tool to simulate the complex interactions that take place within the river system. The river must he considered from physical, biological and chemical perspectives. A successful model can determine current water …

Fundamentals Of Adhesion Of Organic Compounds And Aqueous Cleaning Of Glass And Metal Surfaces : Applications In The Pharmaceutical And Chemical Industries, Michel J. De Ruijter

Theses

In this thesis we studied the physics and chemistry of the adhesion of various classes of organic compounds to glass and stainless steel surfaces, by using diagnostic aqueous cleaning solutions and other techniques. We defined the thermodynamic requirements for aqueous cleaning based on extensive experimental and theoretical work. Novel cleaning diagrams are introduced, based on electrostatic interactions between organic compounds and solid surfaces, to facilitate the design of aqueous cleaning systems. We studied the mass transfer parameters for selected situations. The electrochemical Pourbaix-diagrams were used to explain the effect of hydrogen peroxide added to aqueous solutions and to avoid corrosion …

Integration Of Pneumatic Fracturing And In Situ Vitrification In Coarse Grained Soils, Sean Thomas Mcgonigal

Theses

This thesis investigates conceptual integration of the Pneumatic Fracturing (PF) process with In Situ Vitrification (ISV) for remediation of contaminated soil. Integration will permit ISV melts to be initiated below the ground surface and extend the depth of the ISV process.

Bench scale experiments were conducted in 4.9 ft³ (0.14 m³) Plexiglas tanks filled with a test soil that was specifically blended to simulate the Hanford Formation in Richland, WA. Discrete pneumatic fractures were successfully created and filled with the ISV starter path material. Conductivity measurements made across two graphite electrodes exhibited a pre-fracture soil resistance of …

Reducing Rail-Truck Freight Intermodal Drayage Costs, David Moy Jr.

Theses

In rail-truck intermodal transport, a highway truck-trailer or container is moved by truck from a shipper to a rail terminal in the shipper's vicinity, and by rail in line haul between rail terminals. Upon being unloaded at the destination rail terminal, the container is delivered to a receiver (consignee) by truck. The highway portion of the move, or drayage, accounts for a relatively high percentage of total origin to destination cost, and it limits severely the competitiveness of intermodal service with door-to-door truck service. The approach used in this thesis is to examine in detail the current costs and potential …

Water Quality Model For South Slough, Coos Bay, Oregon, Holly Kay Juza

Dissertations and Theses

The South Slough Estuary is located off Coos Bay along the southern coast of Oregon. It is divided into two channels that meet and continue to Coos Bay at the Charleston Harbor. There are six major contributing streams to South Slough. After rainfall events, the level of coliform bacteria in the slough increases because of stream bacteria loading. This is due to cattle grazing in the drainage areas, failed septic systems from private homes, and sewage sludge applied to the County landfill, which drains into the slough. The Oregon Health Division has enforced a Sanitation Management Plan for Commercial Shellfish …

Numerical Study Of Granular Soil Behavior Using Random Arrays Of Elastic Ellipsoids, Xiaoshan Lin

Civil Engineering ETDs

For the purpose of improving computer simulation of granular materials in the framework of the Discrete Element Method (DEM), 2-D and 3-D discrete element models using random arrays of elastic ellipsoids have been developed.

Evaluation Of Synthetic Unit Hydrograph Techniques For Utah Probable Maximum Flood Determinations, Ashraf Mohammed Shammet

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Every dam must be capable of safely passing a predetermined flood magnitude. For high-hazard dams, it is a common practice to require that this flood be the Probable Maximum Flood (PMF). The determination of the PMF starts with the determination of the Probable Maximum Precipitation (PMP). We used the generalized estimates of the PMP as outlined in Hydrometeorological Report (HMR) 49. In this study we used the storm event model approach to convert the PMP into PMF. Different synthetic unit hydrograph (SUH) techniques were then used in the conversion process. The Soil Conservation Service (SCS) curve number method was used …

Nonparametric Stochastic Generation Of Daily Precipitation And Other Weather Variables, Rajagopalan Balaji

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

Traditional stochastic approaches for synthetic generation of weather variables often assume a prior functional form for the stochastic process, are often not capable of reproducing the probabilistic structure present in the data, and may not be uniformly applicable across sites. In an attempt to find a general framework for stochastic generation of weather variables, this study marks a unique departure from the traditional approaches, and ushers in the use of data-driven nonparametric techniques and demonstrates their utility.

Precipitation is one of the key variables that drive hydrologic systems and hence warrants more focus. In this regard, two major aspects of …

Development Of An Alternate Methodology For Identifying Heavy/Coal Trucks And Calculating Esal’S/Axle And Axles/Truck, Jack A. Harison, David L. Allen, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Performance Of Shrinkage Compensating Bridge Deck Concrete (Class S) I-75, Kenton County, David Q. Hunsucker, Michael D. Stone

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Shrinkage Compensating Concrete (Class S) is made with an expansive cement in which the expansion, if restrained, induces compressive stresses that approximately offset tensile stresses induced during drying shrinkage, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing the occurrence of shrinkage cracking in concrete. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the construction and performance of the Shrinkage Compensating Concrete (Class S) and to compare these characteristics to previous Class S concrete data and to conventional Class AA bridge deck concrete. This report summarizes construction activities and provides final performance evaluations and recommendations relative to experimental decks and barrier walls constructed of …

Development Of A Safety Management System, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Safety Management System (SMS) is one of six management systems mandated by Section 1 034 of the 1991 lntermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act (ISTEA). The overall goal of a SMS is to reduce the number and severity of traffic crashes. lt is to be comprehensive in that it incorporates all public roads and all contributing factors associated with the driver, the vehicle, and the roadway. The objective of this study was to develop a procedure to implement a SMS for Kentucky. A recommended process is described. Agencies and organizations were identified which have a role or interest in traffic …

Equivalent Single Axleload Computer Program Enhancements, Jerry G. Pigman, David L. Allen, Jack A. Harison, Neil Tollner, David H. Cain

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of the study were to review and modify previously used Equivalent Single Axleload (ESAL) prediction procedures and to develop a more efficient procedure. As part of the effort to simplify the procedure, a subtask was undertaken to reduce the number of highway functional classes being used to process data for the ESAL estimation procedure. Another objective was to develop a more definitive and accurate method for reflecting the effects of coal or heavy truck movements. Results of this task were documented as Research Report KTC-95-6.

Analyses were performed and validated to reduce the twelve functional classes to six …

Performance Of Pyrament Cement Concrete In A Highway Bridge Deck, David Q. Hunsucker, Michael D. Stone

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Pyrament Blended Cement (PBC) is a high performance cement that was developed by Lone Star Industries. Concrete that is made with PBC is rapid setting, has high strength and low permeability. The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet chose to use PBC concrete in a lull·depth bridge deck. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the construction and performance of a full-depth bridge deck constructed of PBC concrete and to compare the data obtained to historical construction and performance properties of conventional, Class AA bridge deck concrete. This report provides information relative to construction activities, materials properties, and a summary of the …

The Effect Of Flange Restraint On Web Crippling Strength Of Cold-Formed Steel Z- And I-Sections, Darryl E. Cain, Roger A. Laboube, Wei-Wen Yu

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

PREFACE When considering the web crippling strength of a cold-formed steel member, the current edition of the AISI Specification for the Design of Cold-Formed Steel Structural Members does not distinguish between the behavior of a member having its flanges attached to a support member, and a member not attached to its support. To enhance the industry and design professional's understanding of web crippling, a study was initiated at the University of Missouri-Rolla to explore the influence of flange attachment. This research consisted of web crippling tests on identical specimens. The specimens were tested where either cross sections were attached to …

Spatial Variability And Error Limits Of Reference Evapotranspiration Estimates, Thomas W. Ley

All Graduate Theses and Dissertations, Spring 1920 to Summer 2023

The overall objective of this research was to develop a methodology for assessing the spatial variability and error limits of reference evapotranspiration (ET_r) estimates from a weather station network. Likely errors introduced into ET_r estimates due to sensor measurement variability and nonstandard site conditions were investigated. Temporal and spatial correlation structures of the weather variables used to compute ET_r and of ET_r data collected over a three-year period by an operational agricultural weather station network were studied.

Results indicated that ET_r errors are minimal compared to inherent model error when sensors (of the type …

Development Of A Bid/No Bid Decision Index For Construction Contractors, Zeyad Hamed-Ramzy Hakam

Archived Theses and Dissertations

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Behavior Of Cold-Formed Steel Roof Trusses, Michael M. Harper, Roger A. Laboube, Wei-Wen Yu

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

PREFACE To aid in adapting cold-formed steel to the residential market, a research project was initiated in 1993 at the University of Missouri-Rolla. Design issues relating to the use of cold-formed steel members and connections in residential roof truss systems were the focus of the project. The purpose of this research was to study the behavior of cold-formed steel roof truss systems and to establish appropriate design recommendations. Overall, the research findings were intended to aid the promotion of cold-formed steel as a safe, serviceable, and cost effective alternative in residential construction. The project consisted of a review of available …

Improved Finite Analytic Methods For Solving Advection-Dominated Transport Equation In Highly Variable Velocity Field, Wei Cuifeng

Dissertations and Theses

Solute transport studies frequently rely on numerical solutions of the classical advection-diffusion equation. Unfortunately, solutions obtained with traditional finite difference and finite element techniques typically exhibit excessive numerical diffusion or spurious oscillation when advection dominates, especially when velocity field is highly variable.

One recently developed technique, the finite analytic method, offers an attractive alternative. Finite analytic methods utilize local analytic solutions in discrete elements to obtain the algebraic representations of the governing partial differential equations, thus eliminating the truncation error in the finite difference and the use of approximating functions in the finite element method. The finite analytic solutions have …

Application Of Macro Material Flow Modeling To The Decision Making Process For Integrated Waste Management Systems, Samuel A. Vigil, Gregory M. Holter

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Computer models have been used for almost a decade to model and analyze various aspects of solid waste management. Commercially available models exist for estimating the capital and operating costs of landfills, waste-to-energy facilities and compost systems and for optimizing system performance along a single dimension (e.g. cost or transportation distance).

An alternative to the use of currently available models is the more flexible macro material flow modeling approach in which a macro scale or regional level approach is taken. Waste materials are tracked through the complete integrated waste management cycle from generation through recycling and reuse, and finally to …

Reduced Small Engine Emissions With Perforated Plates, Derek S. Lindsay

Honors Capstone Projects and Theses

No abstract provided.

Steady Vibration Of Flexible Circular Plate On An Elastic Half Space, X. Zeng, X. Qin, P. Gong, M. Iguchi

International Conferences on Recent Advances in Geotechnical Earthquake Engineering and Soil Dynamics

The steady vibration of a flexible circular plate with finite rigidity resting on an elastic half space and subjected to harmonic vertical loads on the surface of the plate is studied in the present paper. The contact between the plate and the half space is assumed to be frictionless. Three types of load are considered: 1. the load uniformly distributed over the entire surface of the plate, 2. the load uniformly distributed over a ring zone of the surface of the plate, 3. the concentrated load applied at the center of the plate. By expanding the distribution of the contact …