Engineering Commons^™

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 7. Nuclear Fission, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Nuclear power is one of the leading sources in our search for energy. One source of nuclear power is nuclear fission, an energy-releasing process in which the nuclei of atoms are split. The energy produced is close kin to chemical energy. Similar basic laws, rules and reasoning apply.

Perhaps the best means of gaining an overall understanding of nuclear energy is to examine three of the known force fields in nature. Because of the importance of these basic concepts, this publication will concentrate on descriptions of these force fields and how they are harnessed for our use.

In addition, the …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 9. Wood, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Wood is a bio-fuel. This means that it comes from living things. Lawn grass, field crops and garden plants and flowers are all in the bio-family of living things. In fact, there is no difference between the wood of today and fossil fuels of aeons ago, such as coal and oil except time. Millions of years ago all fossil fuels were lush green plants, thriving on nutrients and moisture in the earth and the photosynthesis process. These have long since died but have been preserved beneath the surface of the earth. Actually, the wood of today and the fossil fuels …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 10. Water, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Since early history, water has furnished man with energy. Man has always moved and settled along rivers and streams, because water makes travel easier. He soon learned to capture the movement of water in rivers, creeks and streams by inserting a wheel.

Water presents a great source of power. It has been estimated that if every available location for water power were developed, regardless of economic and environmental considerations, there would be between three and four times the power derived from all other sources. But this is impractical, because in many instances it would take more energy in materials and …

Propagation Of Traffic Noise, Kenneth R. Agent, Charles V. Zegeer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The effects of various traffic, ground cover, and geometric conditions on traffic noise propagation were evaluated in this study. There were two general methods of data collection. The first used as many as four sound-level meters and graphic-level recorders to take simultaneous recordings of the traffic stream; the second method involved a constant noise source using a random noise generator.

The L₁₀ noise level reduction per doubling of distance increased substantially when the traffic volume was less than 1,000 vehicles per hour. Wind speed and direction had a large effect on noise propagation. Ground cover also had a definite …

Development Of A Thickness Design System For Bituminous Concrete Pavements, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A pavement provides a functional surface for safe operation of a vehicle. The operator or passenger of a vehicle does not particularly care about the material from which the pavement structure is constructed. However, they are sensitive to such factors as speed, safety (skid resistance), and comfort (roughness). One aspect of pavement design is the selection of the thickness of the pavement and its various components sufficient to support vehicular loadings and to transfer those loadings through successive layers of the pavement - surface, base, and subgrade - to the soil on which the pavement rests. The structural design of …

Evaluation Of Pavement Tape As Lane Delineation, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study involved the field testing of four types of pavement tapes, all manufactured by the 3M Company. The tapes evaluated included Scotchlane, Stamark Removable, Stamark, and an experimental tape. The experimental tape had an extremely high initial reflectivity but poor durability, which would preclude use in its present form. The remaining tapes exhibited good durability when used as lanelines and edgelines. The Scotchlane tape exhibited the best long-term reflectivity. The Stamark tape does not provide sufficient reflectivity and could not be used in areas where delineation would be critical. The Stamark Removable tape was easily removed manually after one …

Energy In Agriculture: Energy Resource Series For Youth And Adult Energy Programs: 4. Coal, George M. Turner

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

Coal is very close kin to the other fossil fuels, oil and gas. If a chunk of coal is examined with a powerful magnifying glass you will notice a lot of red and gold color. The marks of plants can be plainly seen on many pieces. The imprint of plants and sometimes of animal skeletons indicates to skilled scientists how coal was formed.

Trailer Hitch, T. Richard Robe

Mechanical Engineering Faculty Patents

The present invention is directed to a trailer hitch for a vehicle. The trailer hitch is designed to be connected to a vehicle and permits two degrees of freedom for the hitchpoint. The first degree of freedom is in a lateral direction which permits the hitchpoint to have freedom to move horizontally in a lateral direction. This degree of freedom is dampened by a viscous dampener to improve the lateral stability of a trailer connected to the hitchball. Further, springs are provided to resist lateral movement and to restore the hitchpoint to its original position during the pulling of a …

Energy In Agriculture: The Use Of Ethanol As An Unmixed Fuel For Lnternal Combustion Engines, Joseph L. Taraba, George M. Turner, Robert Razor

Agricultural Engineering Energy Series

The use of ethanol (ethyl alcohol) as a fuel for spark ignited (Sl) internal combustion engines has been evaluated and considered satisfactory since the early1 900s. Today due to the increasing cost of petroleum and the current world oil uncertainty, which may greatly affect the future availability of petroleum, some alternative fuels for internal combustion engines are needed. Ethanol is one of the fuels that has shown promise as a petroleum substitute. Today the country of Brazil has chosen a path of less dependence on petroleum by developing an ethanol fuel technology. In the spring of 1980, cars designed to …

Identification, Analysis, And Correction Of High-Accident Locations In Kentucky, Charles V. Zegeer, Kenneth R. Agent, Ronalds L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The first step in the highway safety improvement process involves reporting and summarizing accidents by location. Once the high-accident locations are identified, field investigations and analysis follow. Locations are ranked on the basis of potential for accident reduction. Safety improvements are then scheduled and implemented. Finally, improvements are evaluated in terms of accident reduction.

This report compiles, in detail, the process involved in arriving at safety improvements in the high-accident spot-improvement program. References are made to information and methodologies developed in earlier reports by the Division of Research of the Kentucky Department of Transportation. Most of the background information and …

Design Guide For Bituminous Concrete Pavement Structures, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To determine pavement thicknesses from design charts and tables, it is necessary to know only the EAL's (equivalent axle loads), the CBR of the subgrade soil, and the modulus of elasticity of the bituminous concrete. Charts permit selection of pavement structures employing alternative proportions of bituminous concrete and crushed stone base. Total thickness varies according to the proportions chosen. It is implicitly intended that the selection of alternative structures be based on engineering considerations, such as 1. estimates of comparative construction costs, 2. compatibility with cross section template and shoulder designs, 3. uniformity or standardization of design practices, 4. highway …

Analysis Of Time-Deflection Consolidation Data, E. Gregory Mcnulty

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A computerized statistical curve-fitting algorithm has been developed for determining the time-dependent properties of conventional (load-incremental) consolidation test data. Analytical models of the graphical methods developed by Taylor and Casagrande and of the Naylor-Doran method of successive approximations determtne values for the coefficients of consolidation, permeability, and the values of deflection corresponding to the begimltng and endtng of primary consolidation. The coefficients of volume change and secondary compression are also calculated. A modified statistical definition is used to select the linear portions of the data curves and is applicable to other data-fitting problems. After the Naylor-Doran method has been used, …

Structural Capacity Of In-Place Asphaltic Concrete Pavements From Dynamic Deflections, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The proper design of asphaltic overlay thicknesses involves four major factors; the in-place modulus of the subgrade, an estimate of the structural capacity of the existing pavement, estimates of the future traffic expressed as equivalent axleloads and required or desired design levels, and a thickness design procedure. This paper deals with estimating the in-place subgrade modulus and the remaining load-carrying capacity of the existing pavement. The method presented herein is valid for any Road Rater or other dynamic tester such as the Dynaflect. This procedure was based upon a 600-pound (272.4-kg) peak-to-peak dynamic load applied at a rate of 25 …

Identification Of Kentucky Shales, Tommy C. Hopkins, Brian C. Gilpin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Results obtained from a series of engineering tests performed on 40 different types of shales are summarized and discussed. Both hard and soft shales, as well as shales having well-documented histories of involvement in highway embankment failures and shales having little known involvement, were tested. A major portion of the report examines the suitability of the slake-durability tests, originally devised by Franklin-Chandra of England, as a means of broadly characterizing the engineering properties of Kentucky shales. Results obtained from ten different slake-durability testing procedures, which include procedures proposed by Franklin and Chandra and others as well as procedures devised during …

Identification And Rehabilitation Of High-Risk Drivers, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report deals with the identification and rehabilitation of high-risk drivers. Methods used to identify negligent drivers were examined. Kentucky's point system was compared to those tn other states. The consequences of drivers attending driverimprovement clinics were studied by analyzing driving records.

The analysis showed that accident involvement was directly related to the accumulation of penalty points and number of violations. Definite relationships were found between several specific types of violations and accidents.

A very significant improvement in driving records was noted for those drivers who completed a driver-improvement clinic; however, a similar improvement occurred for drivers eligible for the …

Evaluation Of Rumble Strip Design And Usage, Jerry G. Pigman, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to investigate the following aspects of rumble strips: the optimum height and width of elements in a rumble strip pattern, spacing between them, the effect of grouping elements into sets, the effects of speed on design criteria, and driver reaction to the audible and physical stimuli produced by rumble strips. A survey of design and usage in other states was conducted; and the results show that even though 35 of the 44 responding states have installed rumble strips, only five have warrants for usage.

Two types of rumble strip design were evaluated -- one …

Evaluation Of Watertight Bridge Expansion Joints, Wm. Vernon Azevedo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Engineers have long recognized the importance of bridge expansion joints. The inadequacy in design of such joints has also been realized. Proprietary products are now available which may eliminate well-documented problems associated with bridge expansion.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the field performance of such products.

Vehicle Noise Emission Levels In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to update individual vehicle noise data taken in previous years in Kentucky and to determine reference mean energy emission levels for Kentucky vehicles for use in the SNAP 1 noise prediction procedure.

Comparison of Kentucky and nationwide emission levels showed a close agreement for medium and heavy trucks; however, automobile noise levels in Kentucky were higher than nationwide levels. An analysis of emission levels of the various vehicle types showed that a fourth category, light trucks, may need to be added. The Kentucky emission levels were input into SNAP 1 in place of the …

Ohio River Suspension Bridges: An Inspection Report, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

For many years, suspension bridges have been employed to economic advantage where long uninterrupted spans were required. While they have been supplanted for most common applications by cantilever and arch bridges in the United States, suspension bridges are a valid design type. Two American suspension bridges have been in service for over 100 years. A new form of suspension bridge, the cable-stayed bridge, is widely used in Europe and is expected to be as popular in the United States.

The key to the success of suspension bridges lies in the use of high-strength wires that are consolidated into the main …

Traffic Accidents In Kentucky (1978), Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Highway locations having an abnormal history of accidents should be identifiable in some way. Average and critical accident numbers and rates must be known for similar locations. Averages have been determined previously for rural highways, but it is necessary to update those numbers and to determine rates for urban areas. A detailed picture of traffic accidents in Kentucky in 1978 is presented.

Average rates in terms of accidents per 100 million vehicle-miles (160 million vehicle-kilometers) were calculated for various classifications of rural and urban highways. Also, average rates in terms of accidents per million vehicles were determined for 0.3-mile (0.48-km) …

Evaluation Of Raised Pavement Markers In Kentucky: Statewide Installations; 1975-1979, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Raised markers have become commonplace in delineation on highways in states where snowfall is minimal and snowplows are not needed. They have proven to be especially effective for wet, nighttime, and other poor visibility conditions when paint stripes are least effective. In Kentucky, over one million raised markers have been installed and damage from snowplowing has been significant during some of the more severe winters. As a result of costs associated with replacing damaged markers and requirements of the Pavement Marking Demonstration Program, an evaluation of all installations was undertaken.

Between 1975 and 1979, a total of 1,082,250 markers were …

Strain-Rate Selection In The Constant-Rate-Of-Strain Consolidation Test, C. Thomas Gorman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Constant-rate-of-strain (CRS) consolidation tests were performed on remolded kaolinite specimens. The effect of strain rate on CRS test data is shown. A relation between soil parameters and strain rate was developed and used to formulate a strain-rate selection procedure. The fmal selectlon procedure is based on liquid limit and initial degree of saturation of the specimen and is presented in graphical form. The procedure is applicable to all types of soils.

Problem Identification For Highway Safety Plan (Fy 1982), Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To comply with Section 402, Title 23 of the United States Code, each state is required to prepare an annual highway safety program. Kentucky's program, which includes identification, programming, budgeting, and evaluation of highway safety projects, is intended to have a positive impact on the reduction of traffic accidents. The first step in the program, problem identification, requires systematic, statistical analyses of accident records. In-depth analyses of accident data were performed, and 24 problem areas were investigated. Accident rates were found for counties and cities in the following categories: total accidents; fatal accidents; accidents by driver age and sex; and …

Survey Of Lane Delineation Methods, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to summarize the nationwide experience pertaining to various lane delineation methods. The usage, cost, and problems associated with each alternative could then be analyzed for the purpose of determining an optimum marking program. A survey of the methods of lane delineation used across the United States was done by means of a questionnaire sent to each state. Responses were received from 46 states. Most of the information dealt with the following lane delineation methods: raised pavement markers, pavement tape, thermoplastic markings, and paint and beads.

Sprinkle-Treated Asphaltic Concrete Surface Course, Donald C. Newberry Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report gives details of construction and some skid resistance data from experimental sprinkle-treatment placed in Nelson County, Kentucky, north of Bardstown, US 31-E. The various types of aggregate, application rates, and precoating processes are reported.

Retrieval Guide: Kentucky Soils Data System, William J. Pfalzer, Louise B. Hensley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Soils Data System is an extensive data file of the physical properties and characteristics of soils as determined by field and laboratory testing. Site locations are available for most samples. Since Kentucky has been mapped geologically (scale 1:24,000), the bedrock at each of these sample locations can be determined, providing better opportunities for studying soil-bedrock (parent material) relationships. A complimentary report covers data input. This report is divided into two sections: data availability and data retrieval. The first section is designed to show the quantity and types of data available and how the data are distributed geographically. The …

Survey Of Effectiveness Of Transportation Services, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

With increased emphasis on public accountability and program evaluation, the need for effectiveness measures to indicate the extent to which an agency's goals and objectives are being met is increasingly apparent. A research study was undertaken to establish and implement a procedure for monitoring the effectiveness of transportation services in Kentucky. Quantitative data for many of the effectiveness measures were obtainable only through responses from the public. Surveys of licensed drivers and bus riders were selected as data sources. This report addresses the procedures and results of the two surveys. Responses were received from 35.5 percent of the 10,000 licensed …

A Simulation Model For Assessing Alternate Strategies For Beef Production With Land, Energy And Economic Constraints, Otto J. Loewer, E. M. Smith, G. Benock, Thomas C. Bridges, Larry G. Wells, Nelson Gay, S. Burgess, L. Springate, David L. Debertin

Biosystems and Agricultural Engineering Faculty Publications

A computer model has been developed to analyze alternate management strategies and energy and economic constraints. Daily production of beef animals and growing crops is simulated in response to prevailing conditions and system interactions using the GASP IV simulation language. Complete inventories of plant dry matter, animal status, production resources and economic net worth are maintained over the simulation period.

New Animal-Waste Structure Permit Procedures, Joseph L. Taraba

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

Over the past two years, there have been several changes in the Power & Machinery requirements of, and in the procedures for, obtaining permits for animal-waste holding structures. The Division of Water (DOW) in the Department for Natural Resources and Environmental Protection (DNREP), which administers the Kentucky Water Pollution Law (KRS 224), has determined that the statutes require them to review and to approve all agricultural animal-waste-holding facilities constructed in Kentucky (KRS 224.033(19)). Because of their review, they have simplified the procedures and brought the requirements for waste disposal systems into agreement with the state law. At the present time, …

Active Residential Solar Heating, Blaine F. Parker, Richard Hiatt, Sandy Holland

Agricultural Engineering Extension Updates

This outline on active solar heating has been prepared for extension agent use in Kentucky. It includes some judgments by the authors based on their best professional opinion and the current state of knowledge concerning active solar heat systems.