Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Evaluation Of Numerical Models For Prediction Fatigue Life Of Cement-Treated Pavement Base Layers, Rebecca Crane, Dr. W. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Cement treatment of aggregate base materials has been utilized in pavement construction since the 1930s (1). The addition of cement increases the strength and stiffness of the treated material and therefore offers greater structural support to the surface layer and greater protection of the underlying subgrade. However, the use of excessive amounts of cement can produce overly stiff base materials that exhibit brittle behavior under heavy traffic loading; the susceptibility of cement-treated base (CTB) materials to cracking increases with increasing stiffness.

Numerical Modeling Of Chloride Profiles In Concrete Bridge Decks With Stay-In-Place Metal Forms, Aimee Worthen Birdsall, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Chloride penetration into concrete is the main cause of the rapid deterioration of concrete structures due to corrosion of reinforcing steel . This problem is especially a concern in chloride-laden environments. However, these chlorides cannot stop being applied because they are applied as deicing salts to maintain traffic during winter months. A solution many departments of transportation have investigated is to cut off the transportation path of these aggressive ions by adding a barrier between the concrete surface and the chloride agents . However, departments of transportation vary in their ideas about when this surface treatment should be applied.

Unnecessary Compaction Effort Due To The 95% Fixation, Aaron B. Smith, Dr. Travis Gerber

Journal of Undergraduate Research

When soils are compacted, they become stronger and experience less settlement. Because of these improved characteristics, soils are usually compacted to some specified level before a foundation is built on top of them. The difficulty encountered is how to determine what the specified level of compaction should be. Currently, the standard in industry has been to compact almost all foundation soils to a minimum of 95% of the maximum laboratory density. Why do engineers almost without exception choose 95%? As stated by Monahan, (1994) industry appears to be fixated with 95%. Should there be a guideline for selecting what this …

Earthquakes: How Will Gravelly Soils Respond?, Thomas J. Weaver, Dr. Kyle M. Rollins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During earthquakes some soils loose their strength and flow like a liquid. This phenomenon is known as liquefaction. For many years, engineers and scientists have been studying the occurrence of liquefaction in silty and sandy soils. Recently, engineers and scientists have learned that gravelly soils can also liquefy under earthquake loadings. Many dams throughout the world have been constructed using gravelly soils. Much work is now being conducted in the United States to determine the safety of earthfill dams under earthquake loadings.

High Yield-Displacement Frames For Earthquake Resistance, Daniel Miller, Dr. Paul Richards

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since the early twentieth century, engineers have recognized the suitability of steel construction for design of earthquake resistant structures. Beginning in the 1990’s, building codes have provided specifications for seismic steel design that are intended to allow inelastic behavior while preventing catastrophic collapse (Hamberger, 2009). However, this inelastic response leads to permanent structural deformation which can require costly building repair or rehabilitation for continued use (Pettinga et al., 2007). A study conducted by Christopoulos and Pampanin (2004) proposes the use of a flexible secondary structural system to act in parallel with the main system in order to limit permanent deformation. …

Stabilization Of Base And Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement For Cold Regions, Bryan Wilson, Dr. W. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The access road to a coal mine facility was determined to have failed by BYU researchers after a field investigation in 2008. The road surface was heavily degraded by severe transverse, longitudinal, and fatigue cracking. Deep depressions coincided with the transverse cracks causing extremely poor ride quality. Subsurface testing revealed the base and subgrade to be very low quality with unusually high moisture contents and low dry densities.

The Effects Of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement On The Frost Susceptibility Of Soil, Josiah Winkelman, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Our roadways and pavements are an essential part of our daily lives. Quality road systems have raised the quality of life from the days of the Romans until this very day. Roads are vital parts of shipping, thereby providing us goods and services, of the military, thereby providing us protection, and of general transportation, thereby providing us with opportunities to expand both physically and mentally. Due to the importance of our roads and highways, it is very critical that our roads are kept in good functional condition. The pavement that makes our roads is the key to keeping them usable.

An Experiment In Sustainability: The Olympic Transportation Plan Of Beijing, China, Gregory Macfarlane, Dr. G Grant Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This paper reports on transportation planning and engineering research sponsored by the Office of Research and Creative Activities (ORCA) at Brigham Young University (BYU). The subject of this research is the Transportation Plan for the 2008 Summer Olympic Games in Beijing, China, specifically the sustainable development strategies employed in this plan. Using foreign investment and expertise, Beijing used the Olympics to meet its current transportation needs as well as prepare for future economic expansion.

Chinese Transportation Contacts, Seth M. Law, Dr. Grant Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

In the past couple of years the dean of the school of engineering and technology has shown increased interest in global involvement for students. He wants us to gain a better edge in an increasingly global world. About a year and a half ago, Dean Parkinson (dean of the college of engineering) gave a college lecture on that subject. At the time I had recently returned from my mission, and it sparked particular interest in me. My family and I enjoy traveling, and world cultures have always been interesting to me. The dean of my college was now exhorting me …

Microcracking Of Cement-Treated Bases, Charles Hope, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

This study was funded in the spring of 2009 and commenced immediately afterward. The scope of the project included researching the effectiveness of microcracking of cement-treated bases (CTBs) in construction of asphalt-surfaced pavements. Microcracking is a method of reducing the amount of “block cracking” or “shrinkage cracking” that typically propagates up through the asphalt layer overlying a CTB layer. Microcracking involves making several passes over a newly constructed CTB with a heavy roller to induce a network of hairline cracks throughout the layer. Identifying equipment that can be used to determine how many passes are adequate was the focus of …

Instrumentation Of Rebar For Use In The Structural Analysis Of A Culvert And Data Reduction For A Pile Study, Paul W. Richards, Dr. Kyle M. Rollins

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Pheonix Gunite is an engineering firm responsible for the ongoing construction of several culverts (underground tunnels) in the Las Vegas area. These reinforced culverts serve a variety of purposes including pedestrian walkways and water transportation. My proposed project was to instrument the rebar going into one of these culverts and then obtain stress data while the completed culvert experienced a loading sequence. I then intended to reduce the data and use it to aid in optimizing the design of future culverts.

Barrette Foundations, Richard Christensen, Dr. Richard Balling

Journal of Undergraduate Research

During the past 60 years, ever since the discovery of mass produced steel, the world has used this steel to produce buildings that touch the sky. These skyscrapers have become a point of competition and interest throughout the world. Each country tries to outdo the next in building height and beauty.

Rectangular Carbon Fiber Isotruss Reinforcement In Concrete Beams, David Jarvis, Dr. David Jensen, Dr. Fernando Fonseca

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The objective of this research was to determine the flexural strength of concrete beams reinforced by the rectangular carbon fiber IsoTruss. The rectangular IsoTruss is a threedimensional composite grid structure patented by Brigham Young University. It is a modification of the regular IsoTruss that is also being researched at Brigham Young University.

Internal Cleave And Fill: A Method For Internal Refinement Of All-Hexahedral Swept Meshes, Michael Borden, Dr. Steven E. Benzley

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Three-dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) is an important design tool for scientists and engineers. Before the analysis can begin, a continuous domain must be subdivided into small elements (i.e., finite elements). The process of subdividing a continuous domain is called meshing. There is currently significant research being devoted to the generation of such meshes. Tetrahedral meshes are well developed and have been incorporated in numerous software packages. Hexahedral meshes provide some advantages over tetrahedral meshes but are currently more restrictive in the geometrical shapes they can fill.[1]

Effect Of Variability In Concrete Cover On Concrete Bridge Deck Service Life, Jeffrey Hoki, Dr. W. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Before reliable data could be gathered, proper procedures for using a covermeter needed to be established. The American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) does not currently have a standard for testing rebar cover depth by means of an electromagnetic covermeter. Therefore, the only protocol for testing available to the tester originates from the manufacturer of each individual covermeter. This research focused on the development of a standardized protocol for covermeter testing to be used within the Long Term Bridge Performance (LTBP) program. The Standardization of covermeter usage will increase the reliability of results gathered from all teams within the …

Establishment Of Life Reduction Factors For Microsurfacing, Bryan Wilson, Dr. W Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Since the majority of the pavement network in the United States is already constructed1, most of the attention has turned toward maintaining and reconstructing existing roads. Through routine maintenance of the wearing surface, the life of a pavement is greatly extended and long-term costs greatly reduced. Pavement maintenance treatments range from quick and inexpensive crack-sealing to more intensive surface milling followed by a costly asphalt overlay. One treatment recently put to mainstream use in Utah is microsurfacing. Microsurfacing is often described as the most durable and stable of the available slurry seals. Like other slurries it protects against water ingress, …

Internal Curing Of Concrete Bridge Decks In Utah: Mountain View Corridor Project, Joseph Michael Yaede

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were to 1) monitor in-situ moisture and diffusivity for both conventional concrete and concrete containing pre-wetted lightweight fine aggregate (LWFA), 2) compare deck performance in terms of early-age cracking, compressive strength, and chloride ingress, and 3) compare concrete properties in terms of compressive strength, chloride permeability, elastic modulus, and water content in the laboratory using cylinders cast in the field at the time of deck construction. The research involved field and laboratory evaluations of four newly constructed bridge decks located in northern Utah, two constructed using conventional concrete and two constructed using pre-wetted LWFA to …

A Comparative Analysis Of Energy Modelingmethods For Commercial Buildings, Spencer Mark Salmon

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis researched the accuracy of measured energy data in comparison to estimated hand calculation data and estimated building energy performance simulation data. In the facility management industry, there is minimal evidence that building energy performance software is being used as a benchmark against measured energy usage within a building. Research was conducted to find examples of measured energy data compared to simulated data. The study examined the accuracy of a simulation software and hand calculations to measured energy data. Data suggests that comparisons may be made between building energy performance simulated data and measured data, though comparisons are solely …

Modeling And Optimization Of Space Use And Transportation For A 3d Walkable City, Bradley R. Mecham

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents an investigation of a new three-dimensional urban form where walking distances are less than a half-mile and congestion is minimal. The car-free urban form investigated herein is a city composed of skyscrapers massively interconnected with skybridges at multiple levels. The investigation consists of optimizing space use arrangement, skybridge presence or absence, and elevator number to simultaneously minimize total travel time, skybridge light blockage, and elevator energy usage in the city. These objectives are evaluated using three objective functions, the most significant of which involves a three-dimensional, pedestrian-only, three-step version of the traditional four-step planning model. Optimal and …

Large-Scale Testing Of Passive Force Behavior For Skewed Abutments With High Width-Height Ratios, Katie Noel Palmer

Theses and Dissertations

The effects of seismic forces and thermal expansion on bridge performance necessitate an accurate understanding of the relationship between passive force and backwall deflection. In past case studies, skewed bridges exhibited significantly more damage than non-skewed bridges. These findings prompted studies involving numerical modeling, lab-scale tests, and large-scale tests that each showed a dramatic reduction in passive force with increased skew. Using these results, a correlation was developed between peak passive force and backwall skew angle. The majority of these tests had length to height ratios of 2.0; however, for several abutments in the field, the length to height ratio …

An Analysis Of The Provo River Decree And Its Current Application To Provo Area Water Rights, Karsten Eugene Busby

Theses and Dissertations

Water scarcity in the west has created a long history of conflict. When Utah was settled, laws were instituted (both officially and otherwise) that allowed water users to use streams and springs in efficient ways without causing harm to other users. The Provo River Decree is a physical example of local water law that has been in place for almost a hundred years. While many changes have arisen in its area of jurisdiction, it is still drawn upon to determine water rights. Ambiguity, rigidity, and overall changes to use patterns have limited the application of the decree to present situations. …

Corrosion Measurement Of Reinforcing Steel In Concrete Using Electrochemical Impedance Spectroscopy, Eric Sumsion, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Corrosion affects reinforced concrete structures throughout the world. Corrosion, induced by concrete carbonation and penetration of chloride ions from deicing salts and/or seawater, reduces the load-bearing area of reinforcing steel, weakens the bond between steel and concrete, and cracks the concrete surrounding the steel. As a result of these effects, corrosion can cause premature failure of reinforced concrete structures.

Compositional And Structural Properties Of Emulsion-Treated Base Material: 7800 South In West Jordan, Utah, Lisa Renay Gurney

Theses and Dissertations

The objectives of this research were 1) to examine correlations between compositional and structural properties of emulsion-treated base (ETB) layers, determine which of these factors exhibit the greatest spatial variability, and determine if significant differences exist between different test sections on a given project and 2) to investigate temporal trends in the structural properties of base materials treated with asphalt emulsion and to assess the rate at which ETB design properties are achieved. The research conducted in this study focused on testing of the ETB layer constructed on 7800 South (SR-48) in West Jordan, Utah. The research conducted in this …

Evaluating The Effects Of Non-Anonymity On Student Team-Member Evaluations, Taylor Robert Smith

Theses and Dissertations

This thesis investigates the effect that non-anonymity has upon student team-member evaluations; more specifically, it looked at how to create conditions of openness and honesty in which students will readily give and receive constructive criticism. The central hypothesis of this research is that if students are taught and prepared to properly give and receive constructive criticism, and have multiple opportunities to do so, non-anonymous feedback is the most effective and desirable. In order to gauge the effects of non-anonymity, eight specific hypotheses relating to different aspects of the feedback process were tested. Predictions were made as to the effects upon …

Comparison Of Performance-Based Liquefaction Initiation Analyses Between Multiple Probabilistic Liquefaction Models Using The Standard Penetration Test, Alexander David Wright

Theses and Dissertations

For the most recent and correct article, please click here: http://ascelibrary.org/doi/abs/10.1061/9780784412787.086

This study examines the use of performance-based approaches in liquefaction hazard analysis. Two new methods of performance-based liquefaction initiation analysis are proposed which use the works of Juang et al. (2012) and Boulanger and Idriss (2012). Further advances are made by incorporating the performance-based magnitude scaling factors as proposed by Cetin et al. (2012). Using these new equations a comparative study is made between the three methods. Further comparisons are made between the performance-based approaches and the more widely used deterministic approaches. The comparisons reveal that on average for …

Accuracy Of A Simplified Analysis Model For Modern Skyscrapers, Jacob Scott Lee

Theses and Dissertations

A new simplified skyscraper analysis model (SSAM) was developed and implemented in a spreadsheet to be used for preliminary skyscraper design and teaching purposes. The SSAM predicts linear and nonlinear response to gravity, wind, and seismic loading of "modern" skyscrapers which involve a core, megacolumns, outrigger trusses, belt trusses, and diagonals. The SSAM may be classified as a discrete method that constructs a reduced system stiffness matrix involving selected degrees of freedom (DOF's). The steps in the SSAM consist of: 1) determination of megacolumn areas, 2) construction of stiffness matrix, 3) calculation of lateral forces and displacements, and 4) calculation …

Evaluating The Safety Effects Of Signal Improvements, Ashley Lynn Dowell

Theses and Dissertations

As a result of high crash frequencies on roadways, transportation safety has become a high priority for the United States Department of Transportation and the Utah Department of Transportation. A large percentage of fatal and injury crashes on roadways occur at intersections and traffic signals have been implemented to reduce these severe crashes. There is a need to evaluate the effectiveness of the traffic signal improvements through the development of Crash Modification Factors (CMFs). Recent research has shown that traditional safety evaluation methods have been inadequate in developing CMFs. In recent years, Bayesian statistical methods have been utilized in traffic …

Instrumentation And Monitoring Of Concrete Bridge Decks: Moisture, Temperature, And Electrical Conductivity, Tenli Waters, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this report is to give the results of research conducted to measure the extent of internal curing occurring in the field in concrete bridge decks constructed using lightweight concrete compared to conventional concrete. With permission from bridge engineers at the Utah Department of Transportation and in cooperation with personnel at Provo River Constructors and Raba Kistner Infrastructure, Inc., we used sensors donated by Decagon Devices to monitor moisture content, temperature, and electrical conductivity in four bridge decks located in Utah County along the I-15 corridor: 400 South, 400 North, 800 North, and Geneva Road. The bridge decks …

Geographic Information Systems And Transportation Safety: A Prototype, Clancy Black, Dr. Grant Schultz

Journal of Undergraduate Research

The purpose of this report is to describe work completed for the ORCA sponsored research project “Geographic Information Systems (GIS) and Transportation Safety: A Prototype”. A literature review was conducted to identify the best existing tools and technology. From the research, a GIS model prototype was created to assist in data processing and identification of high-risk crash locations. Applications of the model were tested.

Compressive Strength Of Emulsion-Treated Base Material Stabilized With Cement, Lisa Gurney, Dr. Spencer Guthrie

Journal of Undergraduate Research

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) in conjunction with stabilization is becoming an increasingly popular method for flexible pavement reconstruction. FDR can be more economically and environmentally friendly than excavation and replacement; however successful reconstruction greatly depends on the stabilization method employed, base material properties, and site conditions.