Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

A Sociotechnical Systems Analysis Of The Approval Process For A Complex Public Works Proposal, James C. Pyne

Engineering Management & Systems Engineering Theses & Dissertations

This research applied sociotechnical systems theory to explore the process used by two elected bodies to decide upon adoption of a complex technical engineering proposal. The research used a modified sociotechnical systems conceptual framework that was developed by Pava (1983) for application to non-traditional work settings. Pava applied the conceptual framework to what he termed non-routine office work which is characterized by non-linear conversion flow, multiple, concurrent conversion processes and vocational separatism (Pava, 1983).

The research was designed as a multiple case study of two town councils each undertaking a decision process to approve or reject a public works proposal …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Modeling Driver's Route Choice Behavior Under The Influence Of Advanced Traveler Information Systems (Vol. 2; Vol. 1: 96/10), Samer Madanat, Nitin K. Jain

JTRP Technical Reports

This research consisted of two parts; this report is volume 2 of 2 volumes; Volume 1 is Report No. FHWA/IN/JHRP-96/10. The first part developed a set of incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The second part consisted of modeling driver’s route choice behavior under the influence of advanced traveler information systems.

Volume 2 of this report describes the modeling driver's route choice behavior under the iinfluence of Advanced Traveler Information Systems. These models can help in understanding the behavior and response of travelers under the influeince of Advanced Traveler Information Systmes.r

The products of this research project …

Numerical Simulation Of Contaminated Sediment Transport In The Upper Columbia Slough System, Binghong Wu

Dissertations and Theses

An integrated modeling system has been developed to simulate sediment and contaminated sediment transport in the Upper Columbia Slough System during the Flood of 1996. The modeling system consists of a hydrodynamic model, a sediment transport model, and a contaminant transport model. The hydrodynamic model predicts the Slough flow dynamics and sediment transporting power; the sediment transport model predicts flow-induced sediment transport; and the contaminant transport model predicts the migration of contaminated sediments in the Slough system.

The Upper Columbia Slough modeling system is characterized by its recognition of the complex interplay of Slough hydrology, hydrodynamics, sediment transport, contaminant transport. …

A Telescopic Approach To Modeling Leachate Dynamics And Migration At The St. Johns Landfill, Portland, Oregon, Thomas Stephen Lowry

Dissertations and Theses

The St. Johns Landfill is a 225-acre site that lies near the confluence of the Columbia and Willamette Rivers, in the North Portland Industrial District of Portland, Oregon. A slough system surrounds the landfill on three sides with the fourth side adjacent to a shallow lake. The landfill first opened in 1930 when it was operated as an open dump. It operated as an open dump until 1969 when it was converted to a sanitary landfill, employing daily cover and compaction. The landfill was closed in 1991.

The landfill sits directly on top of a thick layer of silty overbank …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Non-Linear Evaluation Of Concrete-Filled Steel Tubular Columns, Mohammad Hassan Shams

Dissertations

Concrete-filled steel tubular (CFT) columns have become increasingly popular in structural applications due to their high strength, high ductility, and large energy absorption capacity. These structural properties are the result of integral behavior of the concrete core and the steel tube. This research provides an analysis of the interaction of the concrete core and the steel tube in CFT columns.

While there have been many experimental studies of CFT columns, there has been no analytical work modeling the confining effect of the steel tube on the concrete core. Furthermore, current design procedures tend to underestimate the ultimate strengths of CFTs …

Potential Effects Of Pneumatic Fracturing On Existing Structures And Utilities, Michael C. Canino

Theses

This thesis develops a mathematical design model for predicting ground deformations resulting from pneumatic fracturing. Pneumatic fracturing is a patented process developed for the purpose of enhancing the in situ treatment and removal of hazardous contaminants from geologic formations. During pneumatic injections, measurable ground deformations are experienced both during and after the process. Safe application of pneumatic fracturing to contaminated plumes occurring beneath existing structures and utilities requires that the elastic deformation behavior of the geologic formation and overlying structures be quantified.

Data from five pneumatic fracturing sites were regressed to establish the characteristic polynomial describing the curvature of ground …

Withdrawal Strength Of Ring-Shank Nails Embedded In Southern Pine Lumber, M J. Skulteti, D A. Bender, S G. Winistorfer, David Pollock

Faculty Publications - Biomedical, Mechanical, and Civil Engineering

Ring-shank nails are used extensively in post-frame construction due to their superior performance, yet surprisingly little testing has been done on nail sizes above 12d. Experience in the post-frame industry suggests that published allowable design values for ring-shank nails may be overly conservative and need revision. The goal of the research reported herein was to characterize the withdrawal strength of ring-shank nails embedded in Southern Pine lumber. Three sizes ofgalvanized and ungalvanized (bright) ring-shank nails from two manufacturers were studied. Ring-shank nails had approximately twice the withdrawal resistance of smooth-shank nails of the same diameter. Galvanizing slightly reduced withdrawal strength …

The Short-Term Effects Of Mortars On Salt Movement In Stone, Simon H. Perry, Aidan Duffy

Articles

Salt-induced decay processes are one of the most important reasons for the decay of many stone buildings and monuments. This paper investigates the role played by masonry mortars in the movement of salts within Baumberger sandstone and Portland limestone. The methodology used involved the monitoring of stone units containing mortar joints which were exposed to a city-centre environment. Rain-water run-off was collected from the stone/mortar units during the exposure period; the units were subsequently destructively analysed. The methods of run-off and destructive sample analysis used included ion chromatography and atomic absorption spectrophotometry; stone and mortar samples were also analysed petrographically. …

Building Embankments Of Fly/Bottom Ash Mixtures, Ahmed M.K. Karim, C. W. Lovell, Rodrigo Salgado

JTRP Technical Reports

This research investigates the engineering properties of mixtures of bottom ash and Class F fly ash relevant to their utilization in highway embankment construction. The research included ash samples from two major power plants in Indiana that disposed of their ash differently. The first power plant disposes of the bottom ash and fly ash separately and hence explicit mixtures were synthetically formed and tested. The second power plant disposes of the bottom ash and fly ash together in a common location and hence they become homogeneous samples for the research. Characterization of the ash included grain size analysis, specific gravity, …

Freeway Incident Likelihood Prediction And Response Decision-Making, Samer Madanat, Hongyu Pan, Pen-Chi Liu, Hualiang Teng

JTRP Technical Reports

This research project consisted of two parts. The first part developed a set of real-time incident likelihood prediction models. The second part developed a freeway incident response decision-making methodology based on sequential hypothesis testing methods. The freeway incident likelihoods predicted by the real-time prediction models act as prior probabilities for the freeway incident response decision-making system. The products of this research project will be incorporated in the Advanced Traffic Management System that is being implemented on the Borman Expressway, a 16-mile segment of I-80 in northwest Indiana. The decision-making system can be used by traffic management personnel to assist in …

Indot Multimedia Applications Prototype Development, Bob G. Mccullouch

JTRP Technical Reports

Multimedia technologies open a new data set for DOT organizations. By adding pictures, sounds, animation, and video, new computer applications can be developed that will bring many benefits. This project investigated the utilization of multimedia into DOT operations. Applications were developed in three different topical areas: Employee Information or Orientation, a Bridge Plan Reading course, and a Construction Equipment utilization prototype. The first two are fully developed implementable tools that will be utilized by INDOT. These developments provide insight into how multimedia can be a useful tool for training and providing performance support to DOT employees. Other tools can be …

An Evaluation Of The Cost Effectiveness Of The Hoosier Helper Program And Framework For The Design Of Its Optimal System Configuration, Phase 1, Steven P. Latoski, Raktim Pal, Kumares C. Sinha

JTRP Technical Reports

This research provides a benefit-cost analysis for each of two distinct Hoosier Helper operating scenarios: daytime patrol and 24-hour patrol. The computation of agency cost involves an aggregation of equivalent annual investment cost, employee salaries and fringe benefit, overhead cost, and maintenance cost for Hoosier Helper. The following components comprise the estimation of Hoosier Helper benefits: non-recurrent congestion delay savings, secondary crash reduction, and vehicle operating cost savings. The results of an analysis of over two thousand evaluations from motorists assisted by Hoosier Helper are also presented.

Prediction Models For Incident Clearance Time For Borman Expressway (Vol. 1; Vol. 2: 96/11), Samer Madanat, Ahmed Feroze

JTRP Technical Reports

This research consisted of two parts; this report is Volume 1 of 2 Volumes; Volume 2 is Report No. FHWA/IN/JHRP-9611. The first part developed a set of incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The second part consisted of modeling driver’s route choice behavior under the influence of advanced traveler information systems. Volume 1 of this report describes the incident clearance time prediction models for the Borman Expressway. The prediction of incident clearance time from these models can facilitate in efficient incident management and support traveler information systems. The products of this research project will be incorporated in …

Automating Field Data Collection In Maintenance Operations, Bob G. Mccullouch

JTRP Technical Reports

Field data collection and management in DOT organizations requires a considerable amount of resources in the form of personnel and management systems. Recent studies performed by the researcher revealed that an average of 30-50% of some field supervisory personnel's time is spent on processing field data paperwork. This is a considerable amount of time spent on an undesirable task and is taking these employees away from more important job duties. This project automated two maintenance field data collection functions. One was a Crew Day Card, which is a card used by a maintenance crew to document the activity performed. Information …

Moment-Rotation Relationship For Unified Auto-Stress Design Of Continuous-Span Bridge Beam And Girders, Donald W. White, J. A. Ramirez, Karl E. Barth

JTRP Technical Reports

This report summarizes the development and trial application of simplified moment-rotation relationships for inelastic design of continuous-span beam and girder bridges. The research described within involves the execution of a reasonably comprehensive set of finite element parametric studies to fill in knowledge gaps in the available experimental data pertaining to the hogging moment-plastic rotation behavior of steel and composite steel-concrete bridge girders. Based on these studies, relationships have been developed for the moment-plastic rotation behavior at the pier sections in these types of bridges. The moment-rotation model is validated against available experimental data, several focused new experimental tests, and current …

Study Of Side Ditch Liners For Highway Application, Anthony S. Calderon, Philippe L. Bourdeau

JTRP Technical Reports

Over the past few years, the INDOT new materials department has received numerous erosion control products (mostly geosynthetics) to evaluate as alternatives to riprap and concrete in ditch liners. Potential benefits include lower construction costs and better aesthetics over current products. Unfortunately, no specification, design methodology, or classification system currently exists for these erosion control blankets.

In this project's phase I, existing information and knowledge on erosion control materials used to line highway side drainage ditches were investigated. From the available technical1iterature (journal and conference publications, other DOTs specifications, manufacturer documentation, independent test laboratory test data), design methodologies, classification system, …

Volumetric Exchanges Between A Managed Marsh And A Coastal Estuary, Ashok Pandit, John H. White, Antonis A. Kakoullis, Satish B. Akula, James R. David

Mechanical and Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The dominant term in the estimation of net flux calculation, between a marsh and a source of tidal water is often the exchange of water. The purpose of this study was to provide a description of the methodology used to estimate the volumetric exchange of surface waters between a managed marsh and the Indian River Lagoon during the managed and unmanaged periods. The paper also documents the simplifying assumptions that had to be made to estimate the exchanges both during the managed and unmanaged period. These assumptions had to be made either because the data were limited mainly due to …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Testing Of Multi-Span Bridges With Full Span Precast Prestressed Concrete Panels (Phase 1), Robert J. Peterman, J. A. Ramirez

JTRP Technical Reports

The purpose of this study was to assess the behavior and durability of multi-span bridges constructed with full-span prestressed concrete form panels. The use of full-span prestressed concrete form panels for bridges with spans of 40 ft. or less is an economical method of construction due to the reduction of on-site formwork and labor required by alternate cast-in-place systems. In this research, a pair of two-span bridges utilizing full-span prestressed concrete form panels were fabricated and tested in the Karl H. Kettelhut Structural Engineering Laboratory at Purdue University. Time-dependent effects were monitored during the cast-in-place (CIP) concrete cure period of …

Multiobjective Optimum Design Of Static And Seismic-Resistant Structures With Genetic Algorithm, Fuzzy Logic And Game Theory, Dan Li

Doctoral Dissertations

"The goal of this research is to develop a constrained multiobjective optimization method in the form of a robust, practical, problem-independent algorithm, and to investigate the effect of multiobjective optimization on structural design.

This research studies the properties and characteristics of multiobjective optimization and solutions. Design objectives, constraints and design variables as well as their effect on structural design and behaviors are investigated. Dynamic input energy for a multidegree-of-freedom structure is formulated. A multiobjective optimization algorithm based on game theory is developed. Fuzzy set theory is introduced to construct a fuzzy constrained environment. A Pareto genetic algorithm is developed based …

Development Of A Congestion Management System For Indiana, Robert K. Whitford, Jennifer L. Opsuth

JTRP Technical Reports

This study details a procedure used in determinng links with deficiencies. A procedure was developed by means of which congestion on raodways links can be identified as being congested will be subjected to a more detailed study to determine extent, duration, and severity of congestion. The procedure was developed by the use of the Highway C apacity Manual (HCM) and the Indiana Department of Transportation's (INDOT) Road Inventory Data Base.

Minimum Crushed Aggregate Requirements, Haiming Huang, Thomas D. White

JTRP Technical Reports

An accelerated pavement testing facility has been developed by Purdue University for the Indiana Department of Transportation. The test facility includes a test pit in which prototype scale pavement sections can be installed. The Accelerated Pavement Tester loading system has the capability of applying moving wheel loads to the test sections. An initial study utilizing the accelerated pavement test facility has been conducted at Purdue University to determine the minimum crushed aggregate requirements in asphalt mixtures in Indiana. This study addresses effects of various constituents of the asphalt mixture on pavement rutting. The factors included in this study are aggregate …

Determining The Viability Of The "Rated Axle Load Enhancement System" For Concrete Pavement, Chih-Jen Lee, Charles D. Sutton, Thomas D. White

JTRP Technical Reports

Concrete pavements in large part are designed as flat slabs although in the past they have included thickened edges. Thickened edge slabs are used today where positive load transfer for some reason cannot be provided. The Rated Axle Load Enhancement (RALE) system concept involves the use of longitudinal stems to stiffen the concrete slab. A close analogy is that of a wide double or quadruple "T" beam. The stems may be rectangular or trapezoidal.

In this study, RALE systems with two and four rectangular stems as well as plain concrete slabs were analyzed using the finite element method (FEM). The …

Fracture Mechanics Of High Strength Concrete Members, Rajendra K. Navalurkar

Dissertations

This study investigates the behavior of High Strength Concrete (HSC) under uniaxial state of stresses. Emphasis is placed on experimental evaluation of important mechanical and fracture properties. Owing to high brittleness of HSC, experimental results especially on tensile behavior have been largely limited and scarce. In this research, direct uniaxial tension tests are employed for determination of the post-peak tensile softening characteristics of HSC. The softening characteristics of high strength concrete is found to be considerably different than that of normal strength concrete (NSC). Fracture energies evaluated form the descending branch of the stress softening reveal significant drop in the …

Relationship Between Precipitation, Surface Runoff, And Shallow Water-Table, Manoj Patel

Theses

In this study, a model was developed to describe the relationship between precipitation, surface runoff, and shallow groundwater table in a watershed that is subjected to groundwater extraction and urbanization. Regression analysis of fourteen years (1976-1989) of time series data for precipitation, stream discharge, ground water elevation, and groundwater extraction yielded good correlation between these parameters.

Analysis of the data associated with groundwater recharge and discharge events that occurred in the watershed from 1976 to 1989 yielded a high correlation between the above cited parameters. Regression analysis utilized to predict monthly variations in groundwater elevations showed a fair correlation between …

Characterization Of Rainfall Runoff Quality From A Shipyard Drydock, Peter Pommerenk

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Water quality and hydrological data were collected during seventeen rain events and additional data was obtained from laboratory experiments to characterize the quality of stormwater runoff from a drydock located on the Elizabeth River in Norfolk, Virginia.

The results indicated that the concentrations of dissolved constituents in drydock runoff increased with decreasing flow rate, while solids concentrations exhibited positive correlation to flow rate, suggesting that the mobilization of particulate matter is velocity driven. Approximating the runoff hydrograph due to a storm event using a simple model enabled derivation of the average time that rainwater resides on the drydock surface before …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.