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Full-Text Articles in Engineering

Target Element Sizes For Finite Element Tidal Models From A Domain-Wide, Localized Truncation Error Analysis Incorporating Botto, Denwood Parrish Jan 2007

Target Element Sizes For Finite Element Tidal Models From A Domain-Wide, Localized Truncation Error Analysis Incorporating Botto, Denwood Parrish

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A new methodology for the determination of target element sizes for the construction of finite element meshes applicable to the simulation of tidal flow in coastal and oceanic domains is developed and tested. The methodology is consistent with the discrete physics of tidal flow, and includes the effects of bottom stress. The method enables the estimation of the localized truncation error of the nonconservative momentum equations throughout a triangulated data set of water surface elevation and flow velocity. The method's domain-wide applicability is due in part to the formulation of a new localized truncation error estimator in terms of complex …


Dynamic Speed Monitoring System Effectiveness On Sharp Curves, Vasu Tavasna Persaud Jan 2007

Dynamic Speed Monitoring System Effectiveness On Sharp Curves, Vasu Tavasna Persaud

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of rural interchanges is of critical concern due to the need for the safe transition of vehicles from one high speed roadways to another and vice versa. This transition is accomplished by entry and exit ramps of various forms. The southbound entry loop ramp at the US 27/ US 192 trumpet interchange in Polk County, Florida does not provide such safe transition since historically there has been a high incidence of vehicular off-tracking. The geometry of the southbound entry ramp coupled with high approach speeds are two of the contributing factors. Due to the high cost of interchange …


Construction Specifications And Analysis Of Rehabilitation Techniques Of Pervious Concrete Pavement, Craig Ballock Jan 2007

Construction Specifications And Analysis Of Rehabilitation Techniques Of Pervious Concrete Pavement, Craig Ballock

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The primary objective of this study is to evaluate the clogging potential of installed pervious concrete systems, to analyze rehabilitation techniques and develop construction specifications for the construction of portland cement pervious concrete specific to the state of Florida. Currently, a consistent statewide policy has not been established in reference to credit for storage volume within the voids in pervious concrete and the coarse aggregate base. For this reason a current and updated assessment of pervious pavement is needed to benefit from the advantages of pervious pavement use in low traffic volume areas. Initially by modeling a pervious concrete system …


Spacecraft Loads Predictionvia Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization, Tom Braswell Jan 2007

Spacecraft Loads Predictionvia Sensitivity Analysis And Optimization, Tom Braswell

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discrepancies between the predicted responses of a finite element analysis (FEA) and reference data from test results arise for many reasons. Some are due to measurement errors, such as inaccurate sensors, noise in the acquisition system or environmental effects. Some are due to analyst errors precipitated by a lack of familiarity with the modeling or solver software. Still others are introduced by uncertainty in the governing physical relations (linear versus non-linear behavior), boundary conditions or the element material/geometrical properties. It is the uncertainty effects introduced by this last group that this study seeks to redress. The objective is the obtainment …


Examining Dynamic Variable Speed Limit Strategies For The Reduction Of Real-Time Crash Risk On Freeways, Ryan Cunningham Jan 2007

Examining Dynamic Variable Speed Limit Strategies For The Reduction Of Real-Time Crash Risk On Freeways, Ryan Cunningham

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical models capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models are able to calculate the rear-end and lane-change crash risks along the freeway in real-time through the use of static information at various locations along the freeway as well as the real-time traffic data obtained by loop detectors. Since these models use real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating rear-end and lane-change crash risk values …


Effect Of Horizontal Piles On The Soil Bearing Capacity For Circular Footing Above Cavity, Rafael L. Arosemena Jan 2007

Effect Of Horizontal Piles On The Soil Bearing Capacity For Circular Footing Above Cavity, Rafael L. Arosemena

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The design of foundation in normal soil conditions is governed by bearing capacity, minimum depth of foundation and settlement. However, foundation design in karst regions needs to consider an additional criterion associated to the possibility of subsurface subsidence and ravelling sinkholes. Under this environment, alternative techniques are needed to improve the subsurface soil. In this study general background information is given to understand the geological characteristics of Central Florida and why this area is considered to be a karst region and susceptible to sinkholes formation. Traditional foundation design techniques on karst regions are addressed in this paper. Finally, the use …


Assessment Of The Safety Benefits Of Vms And Vsl Using The Ucf Driving Simulator, Cristina Dos Santos Jan 2007

Assessment Of The Safety Benefits Of Vms And Vsl Using The Ucf Driving Simulator, Cristina Dos Santos

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Researchers at the University of Central Florida (UCF) have been working during the past few years on different strategies to improve freeway safety in real-time. An ongoing research at UCF has investigated crash patterns that occurred on a stretch of Interstate-4 located in Orlando, FL and created statistical models to predict in real-time the likelihood of a crash in terms of time and space. The models were then tested using PARAMICS micro-simulation and different strategies that would reduce the risk of crashes were suggested. One of the main recommended strategies was the use of Variable Speed Limits (VSL) which intervenes …


Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea S Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers Experience Using The Pre-Deployment Survey, John Hill Rogers Jan 2007

Evaluating The Impact Of Oocea S Dynamic Message Signs (Dms) On Travelers Experience Using The Pre-Deployment Survey, John Hill Rogers

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this thesis was to evaluate the impact of dynamic message signs (DMS) on the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) toll road network using the Pre-Deployment DMS Survey (henceforth referred to as "pre-deployment survey"). DMS are electronic traffic signs used on roadways to give travelers information about travel times, traffic congestion, accidents, disabled vehicles, AMBER alerts, and special events. The particular DMS referred to in this study are large rectangular signs installed over the travel lanes and these are not the portable trailer mount signs. The OOCEA is currently in the process of adding several fixed DMS on …


Pilot Study Of Nutrient Loading In A Wet Detention Lake, Eric C. Gurr Jan 2007

Pilot Study Of Nutrient Loading In A Wet Detention Lake, Eric C. Gurr

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Florida is surrounded by water, and its many internal lakes and rivers have long been recognized for their excellent fishing and boating. This notoriety draws land developers to the lake shores to establish residential and commercial infrastructure. This land development brings with it flood plain alteration, water level stabilization, and increased nutrients which cause adverse impacts to our lakes. In response, the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) passed the Federal Clean Water Act (CWA) in 1972 which set the framework for the water quality standards for the entire United States. As a result of the CWA many point sources …


Exploring The Potential Of Combining Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limit Strategies For Alleviating Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Kirolos Maged Haleem Jan 2007

Exploring The Potential Of Combining Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limit Strategies For Alleviating Real-Time Crash Risk On Urban Freeways, Kirolos Maged Haleem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Research recently conducted at the University of Central Florida involving crashes on Interstate-4 in Orlando, Florida has led to the creation of new statistical and neural networks models that are capable of determining the crash risk on the freeway (Abdel-Aty et al., 2004; 2005, Pande and Abdel-Aty, 2006). These models are able to calculate rear-end and lane-change crash risks along the freeway in real-time through the use of static information at various locations along the freeway as well as real-time traffic data obtained by loop detectors. Since these models use real-time traffic data, they are capable of calculating rear-end and …


Parameter Estimation Using Sensor Fusion And Model Updating, Kevin Francoforte Jan 2007

Parameter Estimation Using Sensor Fusion And Model Updating, Kevin Francoforte

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Engineers and infrastructure owners have to manage an aging civil infrastructure in the US. Engineers have the opportunity to analyze structures using finite element models (FEM), and often base their engineering decisions on the outcome of the results. Ultimately, the success of these decisions is directly related to the accuracy of the finite element model in representing the real-life structure. Improper assumptions in the model such as member properties or connections, can lead to inaccurate results. A major source of modeling error in many finite element models of existing structures is due to improper representation of the boundary conditions. In …