Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Dynamic Construction Visualizer, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The Dynamic Construction Visualizer (DCV) is general-purpose 3D visualization system that allows simulation model developers to animate modeled operations with chronological and spatial accuracy in 3D virtual space. The system is independent of any particular simulation-modeling program or CAD modeling software.

Modular Frp Composite Bridge Deck, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The bridge infrastructure of the United States is in constant need of repair and rehabilitation. It is reported that 43% of the bridges in the USA have been identified as being structurally deficient or functionally obsolete due to corrosion. SuperdeckTM, a non-corrosive fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) composite bridge deck. The Deck is designed and engineered into a lightweight, strong and rigid structure that will not corrode. The deck sections, composed of hexagon and double-trapezoid profiles, are bonded with a high-strength adhesive under controlled conditions in the manufacturing plant.

Superpave System, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The Superpave is the acronym for 'SUperior PERforming Asphalt PAVEments' system. It was developed by Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) to give highway engineers and contractors the tools they need to design asphalt pavements that will perform better under extremes of temperature and heavy traffic loads.

Recycled Plastic Composite Railroad Crossties, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center, Construction Engineering Research Laboratory (CERL) led a team that developed, demonstrated, and patented innovative recycled plastic composite material for use as railroad crossties to replace chemically-treated wood ties. Replacement of turnout ties is a major cost item because of the size and complexity of these components. Since the mid-1990s CERL has conducted research on composite RR ties made of recycled post-consumer waste plastics. Because these plastic composite ties are inherently resistant to moisture damage, rot, and insect attack, they require no chemical treatments as do wood ties.

Smart Concrete, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

Concrete has been widely used for many years as a composite material for various types of structures. One of the weakness of concrete is that it cannot withstand tension which can cause cracks easily. There has been a huge demand to monitor concrete structures cracking and preventing them from propagating further. Smart concrete was developed Dr. Deborah D.L. Chung from State University of New York at Buffalo. Smart concrete is reinforced by carbon fiber as much as 0.2% to 0.5% of volume to increase its sense ability to strain or stress while still has good mechanical properties.

Digital Hardhat System, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The Digital Hardhat (DHH) is a pen-based personal computer (PC) running a Windows operating system, which is used to collect multimedia information such as text, sound, video, and images. This pen-based computer can also be used to communicate between the construction site and other locations using various connection methods including a wireless network connection, which enables a personnel to roam around the site and video teleconference live with others to solve problems collaboratively.

Bridge Lock-Up Device System, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The Colebrand Lock-up Device (LUD) provides additional substructure strength to resist seismic forces as a structural shock transmission unit for highway bridges. This system can provide a temporary rigid link between bridge structural members under seismic, braking, or other fast-acting type loads, while permitting slow thermal movements.

Primecontract.Com, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

The PrimeContract.com network is based on a three-tier software architecture using JAVA in a UNIX environment. The network is designed to effortlessly accommodate large numbers of users in an extremely secure environment.

Prosidyc: Simulation Program For Construction Operations, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

PROSIDYC is a system for simulating construction operations jointly developed by the Planning and Methods Unit of Dragados y Construcciones, Madrid, Spain and the Division of Construction Engineering & Management at Purdue University. PROject SImulation Dragados Y Construcciones (PROSIDYC) is a computer based system for analyzing construction job site production processes. It is used to improve productivity in the field by studying resource utilization and cycle times and identifying opportunities for production improvement. PROSIDYC uses the CYCLic Operations NEtwork (CYCLONE) modeling format originally developed by Daniel W. Halpin

An Industrial Gas Turbine/Compressor Package Designed For Rapid Installation And Commissioning, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

A reduction in both the time and the cost of installation of medium-to-large industrial gas turbine mechanical drive packages can be achieved. Integration of the gas turbine driver, driven equipment, and ancillaries on two easily-assembled skids is made possible by the application of several technological developments, including aeroderivative gas turbine engines, dry gas compressor seals, compact plate-type heat exchangers, variable-speed AC motor drives, and microprocessor-based control systems which are certified for hazardous environments. By minimizing the need for interconnection of piping and wiring between multiple equipment and controls locations, site installation and commissioning time is drastically reduced. This can result …

Stroboscope, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

STROBOSCOPE is an acronym for STate and Resource Based Simulation of COnstructionProcEsses. It is a general-purpose simulation programming language that has been designed for the simulation of very complex construction processes that involve many different types of resources. STROBOSCOPE models are based on a network of interconnected modeling elements and on a series of programming statements that give the elements unique behavior and control the simulation.

Site Characterization And Analysis Penetrometer System (Scaps) : Assessing Site Cotamination, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

While a number of techniques exist for the remediation of contaminated soils, one of the largest problems is often the initial site assessment. It can be a difficult, expensive and time-consuming process to determine the exact extent of site contamination. The U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station (WES) under the sponsorship of the U.S. Army Environmental Center (AEC) initiated the development of the Site Characterization and Analysis Penetrometer System (SCAPS) Research, Development, and Technology Demonstration Program to provide the Department of Defense (DoD) with a rapid and cost-effective means to characterize soil conditions at DoD sites undergoing installation restoration (cleanup).

3d Laser Scanning & Modeling System, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

Traditional methods of measuring and modeling the surface geometry of large, complex structures or sites that require engineering or survey-grade accuracy are often inaccurate, incomplete or expensive. Inaccurate or incomplete drawings and models often lead to costly construction errors or delays. A portable, auto-scanning laser and PC system that lets users economically obtain accurate, complete, and timely as-built geometry information for large structures and sites. The system can remotely measure natural surfaces up to 100m away at the speed of 800 points per second. With spacing between adjacent points as fine as 1mm, users can capture an extremely high level …

Real Time Positioning, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

Construction operations involve location and positioning elements in the field. There are two primary components to the system; transmitters and receivers. The system allows multiple users to work at the same time once the system is set up. These users can include surveyors, craft people, and equipment operators each of whom is working concurrently and using the positioning system to capture accurate real-time position information about the work environment.

Extraction Of Contaminated Soil Using High Pressure Jet Grouting, Purdue Ect Team

ECT Fact Sheets Archive

Removal of contaminated soil underneath existing structures causes settlement. There is a need for a remediation technology that eliminates this problem. The jet grouting by the triple rod system can be combined with an on site remediation technology (e.g., soil washing). Jet grouting was developed primarily for underpinning and/or excavation support. The benefits of this technology lie in the future reduction of structural settlement, and site access flexibility.

Mechanically Stabilized Earth Wall Abutments For Bridge Support, Ioannis Zevgolis, Philippe L. Bourdeau

JTRP Technical Reports

The research is an investigation on the possible use of MSE bridge abutments as direct support of bridges on Indiana highways. First, analysis was performed following conventional design methods, in order to assess the performance of MSE bridge abutments with respect to ultimate limit states, i.e. external and internal stability. In the second part of the study, finite element analysis was performed, in order to assess the performance of the structures with respect to serviceability limit states, i.e. immediate and consolidation settlements. In both parts, analysis was performed on case examples that reflect relatively typical situations. The main findings confirm …

Effective And Robust Coordination Of Traffic Signals On Arterial Streets, Volume 1, Research Report, Wei Li, Andrew P. Tarko

JTRP Technical Reports

Many transportation agencies use Synchro and SimTraffic software package to optimize signal coordination. In general, this software package effectively reduces the efforts of traffic systems engineers and improves the quality of the designed coordination. Nevertheless, the initial solutions given by the software packages usually require adjustment, at both the design and implementation stages. The major objective of this research, therefore, is to reduce the time and effort needed in solution tuning and thus to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of using Synchro/SimTraffic in arterial signal coordination design. The research outcome is expected to help traffic systems engineers reach reasonable …

A Prescriptive Analysis Of The Indiana Coal Transportation Infrastructure, Thomas F. Brady, Chad M. Pfitzer

JTRP Technical Reports

This report presents the findings of a scoping study of Indiana’s coal transportation infrastructure. Throughout the literature search and investigative phases of this project, it was clear that there exists growing awareness of the importance that transportation plays in the domestic coal industry. There is evidence that suggests transportation costs may be higher than the cost of mining coal. Numerous studies suggest that coal transportation can be developed and utilized for significant competitive economic advantage. The Powder River Basin area in Wyoming is a stellar example of how the combination of a large natural resource and careful transportation planning can …

A Study Of Effective Soil Compaction Control Of Granular Soils, Vincent P. Drnevich, Aaron C. Evans, Adam Buser Prochaska

JTRP Technical Reports

Although it is known that impact compaction tests are not appropriate for granular soils, these tests continue to be widely used. Excessive settlements frequently occur in granular soils where specified field compaction is based on Standard Proctor (ASTM D 698; AASHTO T 99) maximum dry unit weights. A laboratory test program evaluated alternative test methods for granular soil compaction control and showed that a Vibrating Hammer method (similar to British Standard BS 1377:1975, Test 14) has great promise for laboratory compaction of these soils. A One-Point Vibrating Hammer test on an oven-dry soil sample is able to provide the maximum …

Effective And Robust Coordination Of Traffic Signals On Arterial Streets, Volume 2, Guidelines Of Design, Wei Li, Andrew P. Tarko

JTRP Technical Reports

Many transportation agencies use Synchro and SimTraffic software package to optimize signal coordination. In general, this software package effectively reduces the efforts of traffic systems engineers and improves the quality of the designed coordination. Nevertheless, the initial solutions given by the software packages usually require adjustment, at both the design and implementation stages. The major objective of this research, therefore, is to reduce the time and effort needed in solution tuning and thus to improve the effectiveness and the efficiency of using Synchro/SimTraffic in arterial signal coordination design. The research outcome is expected to help traffic systems engineers reach reasonable …

Long-Term Effects Of Super Heavy-Weight Vehicles On Bridges, Scott M. Wood, Necip Onder Akinci, Judy Liu, Mark D. Bowman

JTRP Technical Reports

A permit truck which exceeds the predefined limit of 108 kips is defined as a superload in Indiana. This study was conducted to examine the long-term effects of superload trucks on the performance of typical slab-on-girder bridges and to assess the likelihood of causing immediate damage. Typical steel and prestressed concrete slab-on-girder type bridges were analyzed using both beam line analysis and detailed finite element models. Furthermore, one prestressed concrete bridge and one steel bridge were instrumented using more than 50 sensors each. Strains and deflections were measured during a live load test, and each bridge was monitored for more …

Synthesis Study: Heat Treatment And Its Effects On Rehabilitating Steel Bridges In Indiana, Matthew Lackowski, Amit Varma

JTRP Technical Reports

The literature review of prior heat straightening research indicated that significant research has been conducted on the development of: (i) heat straightening repair techniques and their field implementation, (ii) guidelines and recommendations for heat straightening repair, (iii) empirical procedures for estimating plastic rotations achieved during heat straightening, (iv) empirical procedures for predicting residual stresses caused by heat straightening, and (v) the effects of heat straightening on the structural properties of repaired bridges. Currently, there is a need for additional research on: (a) the fatigue performance of heat straightened beams, (ii) the effects of single and multiple heat straightening on the …

Safety Conscious Planning In Indiana: Predicting Safety Benefits In Corridor Studies, Volume 2: Pass And Inpass User Manual, Andrzej P. Tarko, Michal Adam Inerowicz, Hong Liang, Jorge L. Ramos

JTRP Technical Reports

the calculation of development and splice lengths. Forty-six glass FRP, carbon FRP, and steel reinforced concrete beams

Influence Of Speed Limits On Roadway Safety In Indiana, Nataliya V. Malyshkina, Fred L. Mannering, Samuel Labi

JTRP Technical Reports

The influence of speed limits on roadway safety is an extremely important social issue and is subject to an extensive debate in the State of Indiana and nationwide. With roughly 900 fatalities and sixty thousand injuries annually in Indiana, traffic accidents place an incredible social and economic burden on the state. Still, speed limits posted on highways and other roads are routinely exceeded as individual drivers try to balance safety and mobility (speed) as well as risks of penalties from enforcement efforts. This research explores the relationship between speed limits and roadway safety. Specifically, the research focuses on the influence …

Geometric And Temperature Effects On Time Domain Reflectometry Measurements In Soils, Teresa Eileen Dallinger Ms

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Masters Theses

No abstract provided.

Interpretation Of Cone Penetration Tests In Cohesive Soils, Kwang Kyun Kim, Monica Prezzi, Rodrigo Salgado

JTRP Technical Reports

This report focuses on the evaluation of the factors affecting cone resistance measurement during cone penetration in saturated clayey soils and the application of the result to pile shaft capacity analysis. In particular, effects of drainage conditions around the cone tip were studied. Rate effects related to both drainage and shear strength dependence on loading rate were studied. In order to investigate the effects of drainage during penetration, penetration tests were performed with various velocities in the field and in a calibration chamber, and the obtained data were analyzed. For the field tests, two sites which have homogeneous clayey soil …

2006 Model Highway County Ordinances, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

This report is intended to provide model ordinances for common situations for county highway departments and local street departments in Indiana where no current sample or model ordinance is readily available. Information to prepare model ordinances was collected from other Indiana counties and municipalities. Some of the model ordinances were created at the request of local highway and street departments.

The purpose of this report was not to duplicate regulations already in place such as where state governments cover issues such road signage, or traffic control, but to provide references for situations that have no other regulation or where specific …

Sign Retroreflectivity: Fiscal Impact Of Proposed Minimum Retroreflectivity Values On Local Governments In Indiana And Investigation Of Accuracy Of Nighttime Inspections, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

To remain effective, traffic signs need to be clearly legible to all motorists. Their retroreflectivity is an important factor in their legibility. Recently, the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) has proposed a set of minimum retroreflectivity values to which all signs shall conform. The purpose of this study was two fold; to investigate the fiscal impact of these proposed minimums on roadways managed by counties, cities, and towns within in the State of Indiana and compare the accuracy of a simple nighttime inspection method to the more labor intensive measured retroreflectivity method.

Estimates performed on the collected data suggest that the …

2006 Statewide Bridge Sufficiency Rating Report, Indiana Ltap

Indiana Local Technical Assistance Program (LTAP) Publications

The main purpose of this report is to provide bridge sufficiency rating information for the bridges in each county. This information results from the data generated by the National Bridge Inspection Standards (NBIS) program authorized by the 1968 Federal Aid Highway Act.

Evaluation Of Wildlife Reflectors In Reducing Vehicle-Deer Collisions On Indiana Interstate 80/90, Sedat Gulen, George P. Mccabe, Ira Rosenthal, Samuel E. Wolfe, Virgil L. Anderson

JTRP Technical Reports

The Indiana Department of Transportation is committed to reducing vehicle-deer collision incidents on the Indiana Interstate I-80/90 as well as on the other roads. Very few of the studies to reduce vehicle-deer collisions incorporated any sound and complete statistical design. Some states (California, Colorado, Maine, Ontario-Canada, Washington State and Wyoming) have found that the use of wildlife reflectors did not reduce vehicle-deer collisions. However, some other states (British Columbia-Canada, Iowa, Minnesota, Oregon, Washington State and Wisconsin) found that the use of wildlife reflectors did reduce vehicle-deer collisions.

The main objective of this experimental study is to evaluate the effectiveness of …