Engineering Commons^™

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.

Mass Transit Study, Jacksonville Community Council, Inc.

Jacksonville Community Council, Inc.

A study to determine if mass transit is a current need in Jacksonville. Includes current user needs, ridership patterns, fare structures, potential sources of financial support, transportation modes used elsewhere and existing city transportation policies. Identifies major problems and recommends development of a varied mass transit system. PALMM

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 …

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 …

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 …

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 …

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. …

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 …

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.

Sandstone As A Construction Material Ky 80, Hazard To Watergap, Gary W. Sharpe, Herbert F. Southgate, David L. Allen, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KY 80 (Hazard to Watergap) was constructed using abundantly available crushed sandstone. The pavements were designed to have adequate load-carrying capibilities and stability but were considered to be experimental (see Figure 1). It was intended that performance would be monitored and that undesirable features and performance would be identified and studied. Such surveillance was discontinued before construction was completed.

Recently, the need has arisen for testing and evaluation of some of the experimental sections. Some spalls, scuffs, and artesian water have been observed. Excessive water has appeared in the shoulder, median, and mainline. There has been at least one spot …

Mechanical And Engineering Properties Of A Cherty Paleozoic Material, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In September 1982, Research Report UKTRP-82-16 was issued to document the sampling of a cherty Paleozoic material from a test pit on Divide Cut Section 3A of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Results of laboratory testing of the samples were also reported.

Subsequent to the issuance of Report UKTRP-82-16, additional testing and analyses have been completed. The purpose of this report is to document the results of those tests and analyses.

Engineering Properties Of Overburden Materials 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 overburden material from a proposed oil shale mining site in Montgomery County (Means Project). Three overburden materials were received in sealed meal drums and were labeled Nancy Member, Borden Formation; Clay City Bed, Farmers Member, Borden Formation; and Henley bed, Farmers Member, Borden Formation. Hereafter, they will be referred to as the Nancy, Clay City and Henley, respectively. the various types of geotechnical laboratory tests performed on these materials are listed in Table 1.

Review Of Pertinent Contract Documents Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Divide Cut Section 3a, Ronald D. Hughes, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During construction of a portion of the Tombigbee Canal near Corinth, Mississippi, southward from Pickwick Lake (Station 13,118+00 to 13,337+50), the Contractor reported various problems, which he termed "differing site conditions." Some of the items considered as problems by the Contractor were: the amount of cherty Paleozoic material was far less than he expected or anticipated, there were deep deposits of bluish muck, the alluvial was not sufficiently stable to place in 1-foot lifts, excessively wet materials made it necessary to shift equipment frequently, the equipment had to travel over bad roads, and the materials had no bearing strength.

Strain Energy Analysis Of Pavement Designs For Heavy Trucks, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, Jesse G. Mayes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The first portion of this paper summarizes classical concepts of work, or strain energy, as applied to the analysis of stresses, strains, and deflections under various vehicular load configurations on pavement systems. Controlling equations for strain energy density are presented. When considering strain energy density, strain energy, or work, all components of stresses or strains must be taken into account so that total internal behavior can be evaluated. Previously, pavement thickness design systems have been developed using only a single component of strain, typically at the bottom of the asphaltic concrete layer or at the top of the subgrade. Strain …

Effects Of Construction Variations Upon Dynamic Moduli Of Asphaltic Concrete, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The two variables that most influence the behavior of asphaltic concrete pavements are subgrade modulus and thickness of the asphaltic concrete. Other significant variables are: temperature of the asphaltic concrete, asphaltic concrete modulus, frequency of the dynamic loading, asphalt content by weight in mix, and voids in the asphaltic concrete mix.

During a series of Road Rater tests on a experimental pavement in Kentucky, deflection test data varied widely from expected values. Test data reported by Kallas and Riley permitted the development of an equation relating asphaltic concrete modulus to its temperature and to the frequency of loading. However, after …

Mechanical Properties Of Kentucky Oil Shales As Related To Mine Design Application, Tom F. Fudge Jr., David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To develop oil shales as an alternate energy resource, it will be necessary to develop appropriate mining techniques. In this regard, the mechanical properties of the ore must be determined. Section I of this paper presents data from a laboratory study to determine these properties. Uniaxial compression tests, longitudinal frequency tests, indirect tensile tests, and triaxial tests were performed. Section II uses data from section I to design an example underground mine. Strength properties are considered in the design of roof spans and pillars. It is concluded that underground mining of Kentucky oil shale is feasible with a possible extraction …

Engineering Properties Of Kentucky Oil Shales, Vincent P. Drnevich, Tommy C. Hopkins, David L. Allen, Samuel S. Hale

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Excavation, handling, and the environmentally safe disposal of spent oil shale and overburden materials require a knowledge of their geotechnical engineering properties. To determine these properties a laboratory investigation of the physical and geotechnical engineering properties was made. The physical tests consisted of mechanical analyses, Atterberg Limits, and specific gravity determinations. Geotechnical properties were determined by moisture-density analyses, triaxial compression, permeability tests, slake-durability, one-dimensional compression tests, and Los Angeles abrasion. A one-dimensional compression test was devised to address the problem of placement, loading, and saturation of the spent shales and overburden materials. The compacted, unprocessed oil shales were more susceptible …

Warrants For Left-Turn Lanes, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Warrants for the installation of separate left-turn lanes were developed. Literature was reviewed, and policies and practices in other states were surveyed. Accident analyses of locations with and without separate left-turn lanes were conducted. Computer simulation was used to determine relationships among traffic delay, load factor, traffic volume, percent left-turns, cycle length, and cycle split. The relationship between left-turn accidents and conflicts was investigated.

Warrants were developed involving the following three general areas:

1. accident experience,
2. volumes (based on delay), and
3. traffic conflicts.

Child Restraint Usage In Kentucky (Pre-Legislation), Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In an attempt to increase child restraint usage, a law was enacted by the 1982 Kentucky Legislature requiring use of child restraints for children forty inches or less in height. To evaluate the effectiveness of this law, a usage survey had to be completed before the law became effective. Objectives of this study were to determine statewide child restraint usage and statistics relating to improper usage. Seatbelt usage of drivers was also analyzed.

A statewide child restraint usage rate of 14.4 percent was obtained. Only 44 percent of restraints were coded as used properly. Several factors, such as population, age …

Deflection And Evaluation Of Flexible Pavements For Design Of Overlays, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Personnel from the University of Kentucky Transportation Research Program (KTRP) were requested by the Tennessee Transportation Center to conduct a demonstration project concerning the collection and use of deflection data (Road Rater) for evaluation of the existing condition of flexible pavements for use in overlay design. The demonstration project involved using the Road Rater to collect deflection data on specific pavement sections selected by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Deflection data were evaluated in a way that provides input parameters for an overlay design procedure (see Appendix A). The Kentucky overlay design procedure was used to make recommendations concerning …

Snow-Melting System, 9th Street And I 64, Louisville, Wm. Vernon Azevedo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The 9th Street - I 64 interchange in Louisville was equipped with an automated electrical heating system for snow and ice removal. The system is capable of maintaining a clear and safe passageway. This report summarizes the performance of the heating system and describes the factors that will influence future use of this or other nonconventional methods of snow and ice removal.

Mechanical & Engineering Properties Of A Cherty Paleozoic Material, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Divide Cut Section 3A of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is located in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. Construction of this portion of the canal required the excavation of a cherty residuum. This material (hereafter referred to as cherty Paleozoic material) is a member of the Fort Payne Formation, of the Mississippian Period, of the Paleozoic era. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical and engineering properties of the material, including its abrasiveness. Also, the mineralogy of the material was to be determined and a particular effort was made to determine if the material could be classified as Tripoli.

On …

Highway Sizing, Joseph D. Crabtree, John A. Deacon

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A critical examination is made of the conventional method for highway sizing, that is, determination of lane requirements. Ranked hourly traffic volume distributions, obtained from 1977 Kentucky volume stations are examined to test certain assumptions common to the conventional approach. Several of these distributions have no distinct "knee" and, for those which do, the knee is most frequently found outside the normally anticipated range. Of equal importance, the knee location can be arbitrarily altered simply by changing the number of highest volume hours that are examining.

The fundamental fallacy of the conventional procedure is its focus on a single design …

Traffic Accident Rates In Kentucky (1980), Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics in Kentucky in 1980 for use in identifying hazardous locations. To identify locations having an abnormal accident history, norms must be established and these norms must be kept up-to-date to maintain a reliable identification program.

Average accident rates were calculated using several methods of classifying highways. Average rates for counties and cities were calculated, and counties and cities with the highest rates for their population category were identified. A series of curves were drawn giving criteria which can be used to determine whether a particular location has an …

Summary Of Vehicle Classification Data, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As part of an attempt to calculate accident rates for different vehicle types on various kinds of roads, it was necessary to determine the percentage of each vehicle type in the traffic stream for each type road. This was accomplished by summarizing Kentucky's Vehicle Classification File. The procedure used in summarizing the file and the results of the summary are presented in this report. Vehicle distributions are reported by number of lanes, by functional classification, by administrative classification, by federal-aid system, by hour of day, by day of week, and by month of year. It is believed this report provides …

Pavement Roughness In Kentucky, Gary W. Sharpe, David H. Cain, Herbert F. Southgate, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Over two hundred pavement sections in Kentucky have been periodically measured for pavement roughness over a period of several years. This pavement service-life historical data can be used to assess quality of construction, pavement service-life, present and anticipated pavement condition. Road users perception of ride quality can be related to these measurements. Response-type road roughness measuring systems have been used to collect roughness measurements and correlation studies have been performed to relate measurements from current systems. Several factors influence pavement roughness. An early factor is construction workmanship. Other factors are traffic loading, environment, geology, and age.

Allocation Of Transportation Costs To Users, James E. Black, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The 1980 annual cost responsibility and user-generated revenue were determined for each vehicle class using Kentucky's highways. The incremental-cost method was selected as the procedure for assigning the responsibility for each component of the highway cost to the users. Generally, the method is based on the concept that each highway cost component can be subdivided into increments caused by vehicles of different types, sizes, and weights.

Annual costs for the highway system were based on construction, replacement or current value costs representing capital investment components of the highway. Those components were: 1) preliminary design and engineering, 2) right-of-way, 3) utilities …