Engineering Commons^™

1992 Safety Belt Usage Survey And Evaluation Of Effectiveness In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of the survey was to establish 1992 safety belt and child safety seat usage rates in Kentucky. Data were collected at 100 sites and combined based on vehicle miles travelled for a given type of highway, rural or urban location, and county population category. Also included in this report is an analysis of accident records evaluating the effectiveness of safety belts.

Statewide usage rates were 41 percent for drivers and front-seat passengers (over 19 years of age) and 62 percent for children under four years of age (front and rear seats). Driver usage rates increased in 1992 compared …

Analysis Of Traffic Accident Data In Kentucky (1987-1991), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report includes an analysis of traffic accident data in Kentucky tor the years of 1987-1991. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics for Kentucky highways. Average and critical number and rates of accidents 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 accidents.

Another 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 Safety Plan. County and city …

Performance Of A Modified Turned-Down Guardrail End Treatment In Traffic Accidents, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to report the results of the continued monitoring of the performance of the modified turned-down guardrail end treatment (Type 7) in traffic accidents. Data for a total of 67 accidents involving the modified turned-down guardrail end treatment were identified. Performance was classified as proper in 51 of the 61 accidents (84 percent) in which it was determined. In the majority of the accidents in which proper performance occurred, the vehicle either traveled onto the top at the guardrail beyond the breakaway section or broke through the breakaway posts and proceeded behind the guardrail.

The …

Design And Performance Of A Bituminous Surface Mixture Containing Bottom Ash Aggregate, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A one-mile experimental bituminous surface overlay was placed in October 1987 on State Route 3 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The experimental section utilized bottom ash aggregate from the Kentucky Power Company's Big Sandy Power Plant, near Louisa, Kentucky. Bottom ashes are generally angular and have very porous surfaces. Approximately 539 tons of the experimental bituminous surface material, containing 40 percent bottom ash (dry weight), were placed. Reported herein are results of laboratory tests and performance evaluations of the experimental surface mixture.

Performance of the experimental bottom ash surface has been excellent. Skid resistance tests indicate the surface is highly skid …

Youth Needs And Assessment Survey, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The characteristics of traffic accidents involving teenage (16 to 19 years of age) drivers are summarized in this report and compared to all accidents. This was accomplished through an analysis of statewide accident data for a three-year period (1989 through 1991). Counties having the highest overrepresentation of accidents involving teenage drivers were identified. The status of highway safety programs currently in place in school districts in Kentucky is presented. A survey was sent to 182 school districts in Kentucky with a 64 percent response rate obtained. Relevant literature was reviewed, and summary statements are given in the Appendix. This summary …

Experimental Road Base Construction Utilizing Atmospheric Fluidized Bed Combustion Residue, David Q. Hunsucker, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes findings of laboratory and field trial evaluations of two experimental test sections constructed adjacent to one another. One experimental section contained a mixture of pulverized fuel ash, residue from an atmospheric fluidized bed combustion process, and limestone aggregate. The second section contained a similar mixture but included a small amount of Type Ill cement. Both experimental sections were constructed to a total nominal thickness of nine inches. The typical design section included six inches of the experimental mixtures, used as base materials, beneath three inches asphaltic concrete. A previous report documented construction of the test sections and …

Survey Of Current Bridge Painting Practices And Related Literature Search, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Christopher M. Oberst

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A survey on current bridge painting practices was conducted. Questionnaires were sent to all 50 state highway agencies concerning their present bridge painting practices, changes in those practices that they anticipate due to environmental regulations, and new or experimental painting practices they are investigating. Forty-three responses were received. Those are collated and presented in the appendices along with comments of the responders.

A literature search was conducted on publications related to painting of steel structures (since 1987). Forty-nine documents were identified as being relevant to the topic. Those documents are listed in bibliographic form in the appendices.

Summary Of Results Of 1991 Field And Laboratory Evaluations Of Pavement Marking Materials, Kentucky Transportation Center

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the results of data collected as part of the 1991 field and laboratory evaluations of pavement marking materials for the SASHTO Regional Test Facility.The purpose of the Regional Test Facility (RTF) is to minimize the amount of field and laboratory research testing of specific types of materials. This is accomplished by combining efforts in an organized manner to reduce the monetary and man-hour requirements of both the states and industry. A RTF for the twelve SASHTO states was approved at the 1988 SASHTO convention. The twelve SASHTO states are Alabama, Arkansas, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Louisiana, Mississippi, North …

Laboratory And Field Evaluations And Correlations Of Properties Of Pavement Components, David L. Allen, R. Clark Graves, L. John Fleckenstein

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the selection and sampling of 21 long-term pavement performance testing sites. Seven of those sites were also chosen to be a part of the LTPP portion of the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). All sites were sampled in accordance with SHRP protocol and procedures.

The report includes three years of visual distress data and pavement deflection data obtained by a Road Rater. There were wide variabilities in backcalculated subgrade moduli and asphaltic concrete moduli within each 500-foot test section.

Laboratory resilient modulus tests were performed on undisturbed samples of the subgrade and asphaltic concrete cores. Again, there …

Mechanical Backup Systems For Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A series of mechanical backup systems for electronic environmental controllers is presented for a typical finishing swine barn and a typical tunnel ventilated broiler house. The systems consist of mechanical thermostats and timers used in parallel with the electronic controller, designed to ensure animal survival in the event of controller or related hardware failure. For swine housing, three distinct mechanical backup functions are identified; for broiler housing, four distinct mechanical backup functions are identified. Schematic diagrams of the mechanical backup functions are provided and their implementation is described.

Micro-Sprinkler And Fan Cooling For Dairy Cows: Practical Design Considerations, Larry W. Turner, Richard C. Warner, John P. Chastain

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

Research and on-farm demonstrations have shown that micro-sprinklers, spray jets and fan cooling systems can be effective in relieving heat stress in dairy cows under hot, humid conditions. Based on these results, many dairymen are considering installing sprinkler and fan cooling. Several Kentucky dairymen have already installed sprinkler cooling systems, but they could improve their performance by modifying them to take into account the principles involved and the components used in sprinkler and fan cooling.

Review Of Highway Cost Allocation Methodologies, John A. Deacon, Jerry G. Pigman, Nikiforos Stamatiadis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of the current cost allocation study, the fifth in a series begun in 1982, include the following: 1) to evaluate current cost allocation methodologies and identify possible changes to Kentucky practices; and 2) to determine the 1991 fiscal year levels of cost responsibility and revenue contribution for each of several classes of highway users. Additional objectives include an evaluation of the equity of tax proposals advanced by the Kentucky Motor Transport Association, a preliminary determination of the revenue and cost implications of the Extended-Weight Coal Haul System, and an evaluation of the efficiency with which certain highway user …

Froth Flotation Method For Recovery Of Ultra-Fine Constituent, Bhupendra K. Parekh, John G. Groppo Jr.

Center for Applied Energy Research Faculty Patents

A froth flotation method and apparatus for the recovery of ultra-fine constituent are provided. The apparatus includes a flotation column having a drain for withdrawing tailings and underflow and an overflow for recovering the selected ultra-fine constituent. A mechanism is provided for delivering a wash medium to an upper portion of the column as well as for delivering diffuse air to a lower portion of the column. A slurry including the constituent to be recovered is received and conditioned within a tank that is connected by means of a feed line to the column. Additionally, a mechanism is provided for …

A Survey Of Electronic Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Douglas G. Overhults, Larry W. Turner

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Sixteen commercially available electronic environmental controllers were evaluated. The units were classified according to enclosure type, analog versus microprocessor based control, power supply, sensors, alarms, control relays and triac output, interval timers, outside temperature feedback, and retail price. An assessment of these controllers indicated several critical limitations in the application of this technology.

The use of integrated controllers for animal production has the potential for substantial improvements in production efficiencies. If the limitations observed in the present controller technology, as represented by this sample, are addressed, industry acceptance of the technology can be accelerated. A uniform standard to address this …

Transient Overvoltage Testing Of Environmental Controllers, Richard S. Gates, Larry W. Turner, Douglas G. Overhults

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

The integrated electronic control system will provide a new method for the day-to-day management of environmental control of animal production systems. No standards are currently accepted for transient overvoltage protection of these controllers. To assess the adequacy of existing designs, a test circuit was designed and used for a transient open circuit over-voltage waveform (ANSI/IEEE C62.41-1980) of 16 environmental control units: a maximum spike of 770 V was applied to the power supplies, and a spike up to 100 V was applied to temperature sensor lines. For these relatively mild tests, no failures were noted due to power supply transients, …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part I. Model Development, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A physically based, event oriented soil compaction model, known as COMPACT, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the effect of surface mining systems on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Simulation of compaction throughout the soil profile at a surface mining reclamation site requires information describing how equipment moves on the site. The compaction processes that are caused by vehicles throughout the soil profile are described by applying the pressure distribution of the surface contact area of a tire or track to determine stresses in the soil profile. A virgin compression curve is then used to …

Kentucky Rock Asphalt (Kyrock) Road Surfacing Material: Preliminary Investigation, Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents a preliminary investigation of Kentucky Rock Asphalt (Kyrock) - as a road surfacing material. The indigenous bituminous impregnated sandstone was widely used as a premium quality skid resistant surfacing material during the first half of this century. Redevelopment efforts gained momentum during the 1960's, but for the last twenty years interest has waned.

Laboratory tests were conducted on the Kyrock to determine its applicability in bituminous surface mixes by blending Kyrock with virgin materials in a similar manner as adding recycled asphalt pavement. The findings indicated it was feasible to blend Kyrock and a continuation proposal was …

Compact – A Reclamation Soil Compaction Model Part Ii. Sensitivity Analysis And Applications, Ronald L. Bingner, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

COMPACT, a physically based, event-oriented compaction model, was developed as a management or research tool to evaluate the influence of a surface mining system on compaction of soil material during reclamation. Two systems of area mining reclamation operations were simulated by COMPACT. The first system involved scrapers and bulldozers and the second also included trucks. Scrapers or trucks were used to pick up and deposit the soil material. Bulldozers were then used to shape the site for reclamation. The simulated results were compared with measured results and show how equipment patterns and soil parameters can affect overall soil compaction. This …

Recycled Materials In Kentucky Highway Construction, David Q. Hunsucker, Laura Whayne

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to identify and list waste materials which should be recycled to reduce solid waste disposal; report current and past efforts of the Kentucky Department of Highways to utilize recycled and waste materials; determine through a thorough literature search and review, the efforts of other local, state, national and international transportation agencies to utilize recycled materials; and, present preliminary recommendations listing areas where additional recycling efforts appear promising, feasible and needed.

Waste materials that were identified which could be recycled to reduce solid waste disposal included demolition waste (building rubble, recycled concrete pavement, recycled asphalt …

High Temperature Alloys Synthesis By Electro-Discharge Compaction, Kenji Okazaki

Chemical and Materials Engineering Faculty Patents

A method is provided for synthesizing high temperature alloys from elemental powders. The method includes the steps of placing the elemental powders to be processed in a die. A relatively high pressure is then applied to the powders. Substantially simultaneously, an electrical discharge is applied to the powders. The discharge is of relatively high voltage and current density to provide alloying. A product fabricated by the present method is also described and claimed.

Pesticide Application And Handling Technology: Decreasing Drift Potential During Application, G. A. Watkins, Samuel G. Mcneill, James R. Martin, S. A. Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Accidental spray drift from pesticide applications can result in dangerous conditions for humans, animals, and the environment. It also can mean extra costs for the applicator due to wasted chemical and inefficient applications. Although complete elimination of spray drift is nearly impossible, drift problems and their effects on our environment can be minimized with proper application techniques and favorable weather conditions.

Pavement Deflection Evaluations, R. Clark Graves, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In this study a procedure has been developed to evaluate the structural condition of pavements using Road Rater deflection measurements. These procedures compare actual field deflections with deflections calculated by the Chevron N-Layer linear elastic computer program. The results obtained from these procedures are the layer moduli of the pavement materials. Procedures have been developed for asphaltic concrete pavements and composite pavements, including broken and non-broken concrete layers. This report also contains a comparison of structural overlay determined using the results of the new procedure, with overlays calculated using results from the 2-3 Projected procedure currently used by the Pavement …

Roadway Related Tort Liability And Risk Management: 2nd Edition, Daniel S. Turner, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This training material has been prepared to address the tort liability problems faced by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet and Kentucky local governments. The workbook defines the problem by reviewing the national picture of growing numbers of suits and escalating financial losses from suits against highway agencies.

The workbook also sets out solutions, and reviews actions which can decrease the exposure of highway agencies to these suits. This risk management concept is emphasized throughout the workbook.

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1992 Report, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY'S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1992 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. As required by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.635, "every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made .. . shall file a report of the accident ... within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.· The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic accidents" for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in …

Underground Farm Petroleum Storage Tanks, Mike Williams, Joseph L. Taraba, Scott Shearer

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Protection of farmstead water supplies is a topic which should be a prime concern of every rural landowner. Contamination of underground and surface water supplies by pesticides, fertilizers and petroleum products is a real and present hazard of modern agricultural operations. Contaminated soil and water sources can result in immediate, obvious losses such as unhealthy livestock and the need to develop alternative water sources, and long term losses such as reduced land values.

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part I. Laboratory Investigation, Xiwen Luo, Larry G. Wells

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

Gamma ray attenuation was evaluated as a means of determining soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted using clay, silt, and sandy loam soils wherein samples were compacted to uniform densities at various moisture contents. We determined the attenuation characteristics of dry soil to be independent of soil texture while being significantly different from that of water. Comparison of gamma density measurements with known soil sample densities indicated that the gamma gauge provided reliable measurement of soil bulk density, provided that the effect of soil moisture on attenuation was accounted for and the manufacturer-prescribed calibration procedure was followed daily. Further, we …

Evaluation Of Gamma Ray Attenuation For Measuring Soil Bulk Density Part Ii. Field Investigation, Larry G. Wells, Xiwen Luo

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A field investigation was conducted at sites near Lexington and Central City, Kentucky, to evaluate the use of gamma ray attenuation for measuring soil bulk density. Experiments were conducted whereby the gamma gauge was calibrated by various means and compared with volumetric cores collected from the field soils. Calibration by the manufacturer’s recommended procedure was determined to be as accurate as more rigorous laboratory calibration or calibration via regression of soil bulk density data, provided that the effect of soil water on gamma attenuation is correctly considered. We also developed a linear regression equation to correct for the occurrence of …

Seat Belt Attitudinal Survey, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The primary objective of this study was to conduct a statewide survey to determine public opinion of a statewide mandatory safety belt law. The survey was conducted so that opinions could be analyzed by areas of the state. The method used to separate the state into geographic regions was to use the boundaries of the 15 Area Development Districts (ADD). A mail survey was conducted with 1,000 questionnaires sent to each ADD. A response rate of 51 percent was obtained.

The respondents were in favor of a statewide law requiring use of safety belts. The statewide percentage in favor of …

Construction Evaluation Of Hydraway Edge Drains And Outlet Pipes On Interstate 64, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the installation of the Hydraway edge drain (version two) on 1-64 in Franklin·Woodford-Scott and Fayette Counties. The edge drain was placed on the back side of the trench against the shoulder and backfilled with a sand/slurry.

From observations on this project and several previous projects, the sand/slurry backfill helps to insure the integrity of the drainage system during initial backfilling. It is apparent that the sand slurry backfill provides a better installation in comparison to previous methods using excavated trench material. Notable trench settlement did occur on this project. It is apparent that insufficient water was used …

One-Tier Plastic-Covered Tobacco Curing Structure—Tier Rail Design, George A. Duncan

Agricultural Engineering Extension Publications

A tobacco grower occasionally has insufficient barn space to house his crop. This problem is especially severe when a barn is damaged or destroyed and cannot be repaired or replaced before harvest. Also, those leasing or having extra poundage may need short-term, low-cost housing.

Kentucky weather conditions are suited for curing in conventional barns as well as in other special structures with adequate covering and crop protection.