Engineering Commons^™

Electrically-Small Low Q Radiator Structure And Method Of Producing Em Waves Therewith, Craig A. Grimes, Dale M. Grimes, Faton Tefiku, Gang Lui

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

An electrically small radiator structure for radiating electromagnetic waves having an electrical size, k*a, with a value less than π/2 and above π/20,000 and configured to have at least a first and second magnetic, or electric, dipole element. Dipole elements are preferably oriented such that a source-associated standing energy value for the structure, or W_ds(t_R), is low, Radiative Q value preferably less than ⅓(k*a)³; and each of the elements, whether paired with respective electric dipole elements, is in electrical communication through a feed circuit to at least one power source. Further, a first …

Flexural Behavior Of R/C Beams Strengthened With Cfrp Sheets Or Fabric, P. Alagusundaramoorthy, Issam E. Harik, Ching Chiaw Choo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The resistance to electro-chemical corrosion, high-strength to weight ratio, larger creep strain, fatigue resistance, non-magnetic and non-metallic properties of carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) composites offer a viable alternative to bonding of steel plates in repair and rehabilitation of reinforced concrete structures. The objective of this investigation is to study the effectiveness of externally bonded CFRP sheets or fabric in increasing the flexural strength of concrete beams. Four-point bending flexural tests are conducted up to failure on nine concrete beams strengthened with different layouts of CFRP sheets and fabric, and three beams with different layouts of anchored CFRP sheets. An …

Shear Strength Of R/C Beams Wrapped With Cfrp Fabric, P. Alagusundaramoorthy, Issam E. Harik, Ching Chiaw Choo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The emergence of high strength epoxies has enhanced the feasibility of increasing the shear strength of concrete beams by wrapping with carbon fiber reinforced polymer (CFRP) fabric. The objective of this investigation is to evaluate the increase in shear strength of concrete beams wrapped with different configurations of CFRP fabric. Shear tests are conducted up to failure on two reinforced concrete control beams and twelve reinforced concrete beams wrapped with four different configurations of CFRP fabric. An analytical procedure is presented to predict the shear strength of beams wrapped with CFRP fabric. Comparisons are made between the test results and …

Toward Enhancing Estimates Of Kentucky’S Heavy Truck Tax Liabilities, Andrew V. Mcneill, Suzanne Perkins, Merl Hackbart

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky has established a Road Fund tax structure that is partially based on the principle that the system users pay their fair share of the costs associated with maintaining a safe and efficient highway system in Kentucky. Several of the most important sources of Kentucky’s road fund revenues derived from commercial trucking are dependent on the self-reported tax liabilities submitted by trucking firms. Self- reporting and the interstate nature of this industry allows for the possibility of tax evasion either due to fraudulent behavior or processing errors. To ensure the integrity of the system, the Revenue and Transportation Cabinets have …

Contractor Performed Quality Control On Kytc Projects, Donn E. Hancher, Yuhong Wang, Kamyar C. Mahboub

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report addresses issues related to transferring the responsibility for quality control from the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KyTC) to construction contractors. Surveys of the KyTC, other state departments of transportation, and Kentucky highway contractors were done to identify the advantages, concerns, and modifications of the Contractor Performed Quality Control (CPQC) program. An advisory committee of experienced KyTC engineers, FHWA representatives, and contractor representatives met periodically to identify approaches for handling key issues of the program.

Several key topics related to CPQC are presented in this report, with emphasis on quality control (QC) /quality assurance (QA) administration, QC/QA procedures, quality acceptance …

Analysis Of Traffic Crash Data In Kentucky (1997-2001), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Monica L. Barrett, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents an analysis of traffic crash data in Kentucky for the years of 1997 thro ugh 2001. A primary objective of this study was to determine average crash statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical numbers and rates of crashes were calculated for various types of highways in rural and urban areas. These data can be used in Kentucky’s procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of crashes.

The other primary objective of this study was to provide data, which can be used in the preparation of the problem identification portion of Kentucky’s Annual Highway …

Amis: Least Cost Path Analysis For Transportation Planning, Joel Brumm, Ted H. Grossardt, Keiron Bailey

Kentucky Transportation Center Faculty and Researcher Publications

The State requested a GIS-based route planning tool. More than 50 raster data layers were assembled within ArcView 3.2, encompassing a full spectrum of demographic, physical, and cultural features. These data layers were given a numerical rating using multicriteria decision making software and input from professionals from a variety of fields. The multicriteria decision making software then set the relative importance of these surface features as impediments or attractors, creating a travel-cost surface. This synthesis of technologies, combined in a tool termed AMIS (Analytic Minimum Impedance Surface), found the least-cost path to any point within the study area.

2002 Safety Belt Usage Survey In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent, Eric R. Green

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to establish 2002 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. The 2002 survey continues to document the results after enactment of a statewide mandatory safety belt law in 1994. Data were collected at 200 randomly selected sites spread across Kentucky. Data from the individual sites were combined into a statewide percentage considering function classification, geographic region, and vehicle miles traveled.

The data show that the usage rate in 2002 (62.0) was almost identical to that for 2001 (61.9). This compared to 60 percent in 2000, 59 percent in 1999, 54 percent …

Remote Magneto-Elastic Analyte, Viscosity And Temperature Sensing Apparatus And Associated Methods Of Sensing, Craig A. Grimes, Plamen G. Stoyanov

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

An analyte, viscosity, or temperature sensing apparatus for operative arrangement within a time-varying magnetic field, including a sensor with an outer surface that is chemically, frictionally, or thermally responsive and adhered to a base magnetostrictive element, and a receiver to measure a first and second value for magneto-elastic emission intensity of the sensor taken at, respectively, a first and second interrogation frequency. A change in mass or a change in material stiffness of the sensor due to the responsiveness, the viscosity and mass density of a fluid therearound, or the temperature, can be identified. The receiver, alternatively, measures a plurality …

Movements And Settlements Of Highway Bridge Approaches, Bernadette Dupont, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is a discussion of the bridge approach settlement or movement problem that is so prevalent in the United States. An explanation and/or description is given of the causes of these movements as described in the literature. A discussion concerning the cost to highway agencies is also given. A review and discussion of current practices in the country is given . This includes construction practices on approach embankment foundations, the approach embankment itself, various types of approach slabs, types of abutments and end bents, and drainage around approach embankments and bridge ends. A survey of all 50 states was …

Long-Term Benefits Of Stabilizing Soil Subgrades, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham, Liecheng Sun, Bixian Ni, Barry Butcher

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Chemical admixtures have been used extensively since the mid-eighties in Kentucky to improve bearing strengths of soil subgrades. Most pavements in Kentucky are constructed on clayey soils. Although short-term observations at a small number of sites showed that chemical stabilization worked very well, a need existed to perform a more comprehensive review and to assess the long-term benefits of this subgrade stabilization method. The main intent of this study was an attempt to address questions concerning bearing strengths, longevity, durability, structural credit, economics, and performance of pavements resting on soil subgrades mixed with chemical admixtures. In-depth field and laboratory studies …

Magnetoelastic Sensing Apparatus And Method For Remote Pressure Query Of An Environment, Craig A. Grimes, Plamen G. Stoyanov, Dimitris Kouzoudis

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A pressure sensing apparatus for operative arrangement within an environment, having: a sensor comprising a hermetically-sealed receptacle, at least one side of which has an flexible membrane to which a magnetically hard element is attached. Enclosed within the receptacle is a magnetostrictive element that vibrates in response to a time-varying magnetic field. Also included is a receiver to measure a plurality of successive values for magneto-elastic emission intensity of the sensor taken over an operating range of successive interrogation frequencies to identify a resonant frequency value for the sensor. Additional features include: (a) the magnetically hard element may be adhered …

Transportation Finance: Kentucky’S Structure And National Trends, Merl Hackbart, Suzanne Perkins, Mariam Fordham

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Studies of state Road Fund tax structures, like studies of state General Funds, tend to focus on a state’s current tax structure compared to surrounding states and identifying possible tax changes that may make a tax system simpler, more equitable, more administratively efficient, more competitive or more “adequate.” In conducting such analysis, the inherent trade-offs among these accepted tax principles becomes apparent. Efforts to increase competitiveness may impact the adequacy of a tax system. Likewise, tax legislation intended to enhance tax administration efficiency may impact the equity of a state’s Road Fund tax structure. Such trade-offs associated with conflicting tax …

Evaluation Of The Dayton Its Demonstration Project, Jason Yaw, Kavita Boddu, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This is the second and final report of the Dayton ITS Demonstration Project, which evaluates the effectiveness of Advanced Traveler Information System (ATIS) devices located in the vicinity of the Nutter Center (Figure 1), Dayton, Ohio. The intention of these devices is to provide real-time information to travelers accessing the Nutter Center during special events. The first report documented the existing conditions (1999) and defined various measures of effectiveness used to evaluate the traffic conditions. The ATIS devices were installed in the meantime. To complete the evaluation of the demonstration project, this report evaluates the performance of the road network …

Enterprise Resource Planning, Ted Grossardt, Joel Brumm

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This goal of this project was to assist the Cabinet in improving the way data is gathered, maintained, and used in the Highway Information System (HIS). The procedure was to identify the critical uses of various data categories, the specific needs for that data, and how that matched up with how the data is handled currently. The end result is a database of metadata information about the HIS database itself. This will enable new users and those unfamiliar with the background of the HIS to easily locate information about how data was collected, how frequently it is updated, and the …

Kentucky Highway User Survey 2001, Ronald E. Langley, Ted Grossardt

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this study was to continue the efforts begun in 1997 to monitor Kentucky public opinion regarding the quality of the highway system and also includes a portion to measure satisfaction with the current drivers’ license and registration renewal processes. Kentucky’s 2001 public opinion is compared to data collected since 1997 to gauge Kentucky’s progress over the past years.

Remote Resonant-Circuit Analyte Sensing Apparatus With Sensing Structure And Associated Method Of Sensing, Craig A. Grimes

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A resonant sensing apparatus for operative arrangement within a test environment to sense an analyte. A sensing structure is included having an antenna in electrical communication with a resonant circuit and a structural element made of a material that selectively responds to the analyte. This sensing structure will resonate at a particular characteristic resonant frequency in the presence of an applied interrogation electromagnetic field and the analyte upon the occurrence of the selective response. A receiver is used for remotely identifying a value for the characteristic resonant frequency by measuring a plurality of values for electromagnetic emission intensity of the …

Cattle Handling Facilities: Planning, Components, And Layouts, José R. Bicudo, Samuel G. Mcneill, Larry W. Turner, Roy Burris, John Anderson

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Cattle handling facilities are used to confine cattle safely and efficiently for close observation and to perform routine health and management procedures. Adequate facilities are an essential part of an efficient cattle operation for any producer who wants to improve marketing, cattle health, and production. A well-planned handling facility can help you save money by making easier practices such as preventive health management, pregnancy testing, implanting, controlling parasites, vaccinating, castrating, and dehorning.

A Reduced–Cost Mechanized System For Handling And Curing Mechanically–Harvested Burley Tobacco, Greg A. Camenisch, Larry G. Wells, Timothy D. Smith, George A. Duncan

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

An experimental system was tested in which mechanically harvested burley tobacco plants placed onto steel slotted receivers were retrieved from a field, transported to a field curing structure, and placed onto the structure for air curing by a single worker. The system consisted of a tractor–towed, trailer mechanism that engaged and hoisted loads of approximately 360 burley plants of approximately 1 Mg mass. Ten slotted steel rails, 3.05 m long, holding 36 notched plants were placed onto parallel wooden beams suspended at a height of 2.13 m by wooden posts set in the ground. Burley tobacco was cured in this …

A Portable Rainfall Simulator For Plot–Scale Runoff Studies, J. Byron Humphry, Tommy C. Daniel, Dwayne R. Edwards, Andrew N. Sharpley

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Rainfall simulators have a long history of successful use in both laboratory and field investigations. Many plot–scale simulators, however, have been difficult to operate and transport in the field, especially in remote locations where water or electricity is unavailable. This article describes a new rainfall simulator that is relatively easy to operate and transport to and from the field while maintaining critical intensity, distribution, and energy characteristics of natural rainfall. The simulator frame is constructed from lightweight aluminum pipe with a single 50 WSQ nozzle centered at a height of 3 m (9.8 ft). An operating nozzle pressure of 28 …

Safety Implications From Design Exceptions, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to: a) summarize past design exceptions to document their frequency and reason for their use and b) determine if any adverse safety implications can be related to adopting design policies and practices related to design exceptions.

The design exception file maintained by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet was obtained with data obtained relating to the types of project, exceptions requested, and the reasons for the various exceptions. A site visit was made to a large number of the locations where the project was built with the requested design exception. Available crash data were obtained at …

The Cost Of Construction Delays And Traffic Control For Life-Cycle Cost Analysis Of Pavements, Brad Rister, Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this report is to provide the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet a reliable approach to quantifying/calculating “Road User Cost”--often referred to as total user delay costs. To meet this objective, this re port is divided into three main sections. The first section summarizes the reviews of three relatively new computer programs that can be used to help quantify delayed traffic incurred by the presence of a work zone. From this review, one program was selected based on it’s user friendliness and ability to define both quantity of delayed traffic and queue length. The second section compares actual field data …

Compaction At The Longitudinal Construction Joint In Asphalt Pavements (Kyspr-00-208), L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, David B. Schultz Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to evaluate the level of compaction at the construction joint in HMA pavements on new and existing projects; to determine the level of water infiltration and segregation at the joint and its effect on joint performance; to determine the most promising joint construction methods around the nation and worldwide by reviewing specifications, experiences, and construction practices for joint construction and the prevention of joint segregation; to develop specifications and construction methods to ensure the level of density necessary at the joint for proper performance; and to review special paving equipment (attachments) for improving densification …

Evaluation Of High Traffic Crash Corridors, Eric R. Green, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to: a) determine a procedure to use to identify corridors in each highway district for which a detailed analysis of crash data should be conducted (with resulting increased law enforcement activities, education programs and engineering improvement s); b) develop a procedure to use to analyze the crash data and recommend countermeasures; and c) conduct a case study analysis for one selected corridor.

A method which could be used to select high crash corridors, by highway district, was developed. The procedure involved: obtaining a list of rout es in each district which traveled through more …

A 3-D Finite Element Structural Model Of An Instrumental Rigid Pavement (I-265 Gene Snyder Freeway, Louisville, Kentucky), Kamyar C. Mahboub, David L. Allen, Yinhui Liu

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Field data that were generated from a section of concrete pavement on Gene Snyder Freeway (I-265), Louisville, Kentucky, were closely examined. An important conclusion of the field data examination was that the response produced by environmental load was more significant than traffic load and static load. To predict the mechanical behavior of the rigid pavement, a finite element model was developed for the project using the ANSYS program. The parametric study of the FEA model showed that the stiffness of subbase and subgrade had the most important effect on the mechanical response of the rigid pavement. On the basis of …

Friction Of Wheat: Grain-On-Grain And On Corrugated Steel, Marek Molenda, Jozef Horabik, I. Joe Ross, Michael D. Montross

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Coefficients of friction of wheat for grain–on–grain and on galvanized corrugated steel sheet were investigated using a modified direct shear apparatus. Tests were conducted under a normal pressure of 20.7 kPa using soft red winter wheat at a moisture content of 11.2% (w.b.) and an uncompressed bulk density of 740 kg/m³. Three consolidation procedures and three methods of deposition of grain in the test chamber were used. Test results of grain–on–grain friction showed that consolidation procedure markedly influenced the force–displacement relationship, while its influence on the coefficients of friction were small. Shearing to peak strength as a consolidation …

Evaluation Of 220 Mhz Frequencies For Its Experimentation, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Cabinet implemented a 220 MHz wireless communication system as part of the TRIMARC traffic management system. The purpose of this research effort was to evaluate the use of the 220 MHz system to transmit data collected at the roadside to an operations center to enable operators to make sound decisions regarding traffic flow within the greater metropolitan area of Louisville, Kentucky. The attributes of the 220 MHz communication system, relative to functional reliability and cost effectiveness of the system were evaluated to determine if further use of 220 MHz technology for ITS applications is warranted.

The performance …

Investigation Of The Impact Of Large Trucks On Interstate Highway Safety, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study concentrated on the impact of large trucks on interstate highway safety. The objectives of this study were to investigate the impact of trucks on interstate travel and offer recommendations for improving safety. The procedure involved reviewing the literature, analyzing crash data, discussing the existing situation with the trucking industry, and using the information to develop a list of countermeasures to reduce the number and severity of truck crashes on interstates. The countermeasures were grouped into the general areas of: a) the roadway environment, b) the truck, and c) the driver. The crash data were also analyzed to identify …

Experimental Maintenance Painting On Various Bridge Projects: Kentucky Highway Investigative Task 40, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Sudhir Palle, Rick Younce

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Center (KTC) at the University of Kentucky has performed a series of research studies for the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet (KYTC) to monitor various experimental bridge painting projects and conduct investigative work focusing on new paint systems. The research study addressed in this report “Experimental Maintenance Painting On Various Bridge Projects During 1998-2000” Kentucky Highways Investigative Task No: 40 was intended to address experimental projects in fiscal years 1999 and 2000, but was extended to address certain fieldwork and KYTC inspections through December 31, 2000.

KTC/KYTC Paint Team joint efforts in late 1998 into early 1999 centered on …

2001 Traffic Safety Issues Opinion Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, Ronald E. Langley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As a means of determining public opinion on specific traffic safety issues, a public opinion survey was conducted. A total of 4,500 mail surveys were sent to a stratified sample of drivers selected from the drivers license file. The state was divided into three regions (based on Area Development District) to determine if opinions varied by region of the state. There were 2,097 responses received for a response rate of about 51.5 percent for eligible surveys. The margin-of-error for a sample of this size is plus or minus 2.1 percent at the 95 percent confidence level.

The most support was …