Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Peer Review Report 2010

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

The purpose of this document is to report findings from the research peer reviews held April 14, April 15, April 27 & April 28, 2010 for PHMSA’s Pipeline Safety Research and Development Program. The findings and recommendations in this report are derived from the scoring and comments collected from the peer review panelists.

Department of Transportation (DOT) Operating Agencies (OA) are required to develop and execute a systematic process for peer reviews and for all influential and highly influential information that the OA plans to disseminate in the foreseeable future.

Through the Information Quality Act, Congress directed the Office of …

Rd&T Program Review 2010

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Who Is PHMSA?

Pipeline Safety R&D

Research Program Objectives

Appropriations vs. Obligations

R&D Program Management Information System (MIS)

1. External stakeholder involvement in developing research agendas: Elements

1. External stakeholder involvement in developing research agendas: Indicators

2. Merit review of proposals for competitive research grants and contracts: Elements

2. Merit review of proposals for competitive research grants and contracts: Indicators

3. Independent evaluation of significant research using some form of expert review: Elements

3. Independent evaluation of significant research using some form of expert review: Indicators

4. Performance measures for significant research programs: Elements

4. Performancemeasures for significantresearch programs: Indicators …

Effects Of The Antimicrobial Tylosin On The Microbial Community Structure Of An Anaerobic Sequencing Batch Reactor, Toshio Shimada, Xu Li, Julie L. Zilles, Eberhard Morgenroth, Lutgarde Raskin

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The effects of the antimicrobial tylosin on a methanogenic microbial community were studied in a glucosefed laboratory-scale anaerobic sequencing batch reactor (ASBR) exposed to stepwise increases of tylosin (0, 1.67, and 167 mg/L). The microbial community structure was determined using quantitative fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) and phylogenetic analyses of bacterial 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) gene clone libraries of biomass samples. During the periods without tylosin addition and with an influent tylosin concentration of 1.67 mg/L, 16S rRNA gene sequences related to Syntrophobacter were detected and the relative abundance of Methanosaeta species was high. During the highest tylosin dose of …

Quantitative Evaluation Of The Bim-Assisted Construction Detailed Cost Estimates, Zhigang Shen, Raja R. A. Issa

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Faculty Publications

The increased interest in using Building Information Modeling (BIM) in detailed construction cost estimates calls for methodologies to evaluate the effectiveness of BIM-Assisted Detailed Estimating (BADE) tools in generating detailed construction cost estimates. The focus of this study is on developing a quantified evaluation method to measure the impact of these BADE tools. Further, in order to understand the cognitive details of the estimator, this study also tested and evaluated the impact of the visualization factor and the compound impact of the visualization factor and aggregated calculation factor on the construction cost-estimating process. Two types of BADE tools were tested …

Studies Of Dynamic Crack Propagation And Crack Branching With Peridynamics, Youn Doh Ha, Florin Bobaru

Department of Engineering Mechanics: Faculty Publications

In this paper we discuss the peridynamic analysis of dynamic crack branching in brittle materials and show results of convergence studies under uniform grid refinement (m-convergence) and under decreasing the peridynamic horizon (δ-convergence). Comparisons with experimentally obtained values are made for the crack-tip propagation speed with three different peridynamic horizons.We also analyze the influence of the particular shape of themicro-modulus function and of different materials (Duran 50 glass and soda-lime glass) on the crack propagation behavior. We show that the peridynamic solution for this problem captures all the main features, observed experimentally, of dynamic crack propagation and branching, as well …

Missouri River Recovery Program Emergent Sandbar Habitat Complexes In The Missouri River, Nebraska And South Dakota, Draft Project Implementation Report (Pir) With Integrated Environmental Assessment

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) was developed to address actions included in the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (USFWS) 2000 and 2003 Amended Biological Opinions (BiOp) on the Operation of the Missouri River System and the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project (Mitigation Project) authorized by the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1999 (WRDA86 and WRDA99). The BiOp and Mitigation Project provide authority and direction to complete projects for fish and wildlife habitat along Missouri River. These actions are being undertaken to address endangered species needs and mitigate for the loss of …

Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement For The Mechanical Creation And Maintenance Of Emergent Sandbar Habitat In The Riverine Segments Of The Upper Missouri River, Vol. 1 And 2

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

This Draft Programmatic Environmental Impact Statement (PEIS) analyzes the potential environmental consequences of implementing the Emergent Sandbar Habitat (ESH) program on the Upper Missouri River. The purpose of the ESH program is to support least tern and piping plover populations on the Missouri River by supplementing natural habitat through the mechanical creation and replacement of ESH. The PEIS allows the public, cooperating agencies (the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS) and the National Park Service (NPS)), and Corps decision makers to compare impacts among a range of alternatives. The PEIS is meant to inform the selection of a preferred alternative …

Missouri River Recovery Program: Integrated Science Program General Science Questions & Key Findings

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

I.

What is the population of pallid sturgeon in the Missouri River and its tributaries? .....5
1. What are the population trends over time? ...........................5

II.

Is propagation a viable short-term solution to augment pallid sturgeon populations?
2. Can pallid sturgeon be propagated?......................................6
3. Will stocked fish survive in the river? .....................................6
4. Will stocked fish spawn in the river?........................................7
5. What is the appropriate level of stocking?................................7

III.

Do pallid sturgeon spawn in the Missouri River? ..........................7
6. Where are the locations of spawning sites? .............................7
7. What is the timing of the spawn?...........................................8
8. What are the cues …

Missouri River Recovery Program Sandy Point Bend Shallow Water Habitat Construction Project Draft Project Implementation Report May 2010

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The Missouri River Recovery Program (MRRP) was developed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District (Corps) to address actions included in the 2000 and 2003 Amended Biological Opinions (BiOp) on the Operation of the Missouri River System and the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Fish and Wildlife Mitigation Project (Mitigation Project) authorized by the Water Resources Development Acts of 1986 and 1999 (WRDA86 and WRDA99). The BiOp and Mitigation Project provide direction and authority to complete projects that provide fish and wildlife habitat along Missouri River. These actions are being undertaken to address endangered species needs and …

Numerically Predicting Seepage Gradient Forces And Erosion: Sensitivity To Soil Hydraulic Properties, Garey A. Fox, Derek M. Heeren, Glenn V. Wilson, E. J. Langendoen, Amanda K. Fox, Maria L. Chu-Agor

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Research has suggested that streambank seepage can be an important mechanism of bank instability; however, limited information is available on the level of soil characterization necessary to accurately predict seepage gradient forces and erosion. The objective of this research was to quantify the expected range of predicted seepage gradients for various degrees of site characterization. Uncertainty analysis on seepage gradient predictions was performed relative to variability in soil hydraulic properties. A two-dimensional unsaturated/saturated groundwater flow model was used to simulate a homogeneous soil layer for sand and loamy sand soils packed at various bulk densities, ρ_b. A pedotransfer …

Opto-Electrophoretic Detection Of Bio-Molecules Using Conducting Chalcogenide Glass Sensors, Zhiyong Yang, Megan K. Fah, Kelly A. Reynolds, Jonathan D. Sexton, Mark R. Riley, Marie-Laure Anne, Bruno Bureau, Pierre Lucas

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Novel telluride glasses with high electrical conductivity, wide infrared transparency and good resistance to crystallization are used to design an opto-electrophoretic sensor for detection and identification of hazardous microorganisms. The sensor is based on an attenuated total reflectance element made of Ge-As-Te glass that serves as both an optical sensing zone and an electrode for driving the migration of bio-molecules within the evanescent wave of the sensor. An electric field is applied between the optical element and a counter electrode in order to induce the migration of bio-molecules carrying surface charges. The effect of concentration and applied voltage is tested …

On The Dynamics Of Canopy Resistance: Generalized Linear Estimation And Relationships With Primary Micrometeorological Variables, Suat Irmak, Denis Mutiibwa

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The 1‐D and single layer combination‐based energy balance Penman‐Monteith (PM) model has limitations in practical application due to the lack of canopy resistance (r_c) data for different vegetation surfaces. r_c could be estimated by inversion of the PM model if the actual evapotranspiration (E_Ta) rate is known, but this approach has its own set of issues. Instead, an empirical method of estimating r_c is suggested in this study. We investigated the relationships between primary micrometeorological parameters and rc and developed seven models to estimate r_c for a nonstressed maize canopy on an hourly …

161. The Potential Role Of Extensor Muscle Fatigue In The Onset Of Intervertebral Disc Degeneration: A Novel In Vivo Model, Mary Beth M. Grabowsky, Nicholas A. Pallota, Matthew W. Connelly, Brett Van Etten, Rebecca A. Wachs, Max Alley, Joseph C. Glennon, Andrew H. Dubin, John W. German, Richard L. Uhl, Eric H. Ledet

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

BACKGROUND CONTEXT: Occupation is strongly correlated to low back pain (LBP). Specific occupational activities associated with low back pain include poor posture, whole body vibration, and repetitive lifting. These activities have a common link: they result in fatigue of the primary spinal extensor musculature. This fatigue may lead to increased intervertebral loading - a stimulus for disc degeneration. If true, this association could provide a vital connection between detrimental physical activities and LBP. However, the link between muscle fatigue and increased load across the disc space has never been quantified in vivo.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to …

Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Demonstration Network (Nawmdn): Integrating Research And Extension/Outreach, Suat Irmak, Jennifer M. Rees, Gary L. Zoubek, Brandy S. Van Dewalle, William R. Rathje, Rodney Debuhr, Dan Leininger, Darrel D. Siekman, James W. Schneider, Andrew P. Christiansen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Maximizing the net benefits of irrigated plant production through appropriately designed agricultural water management programs is of growing importance in Nebraska, and other western and Midwestern states, because many areas are involved in management and policy changes to conserve irrigation water. In Nebraska, farmers are being challenged to practice conservation methods and use water resources more efficiently while meeting plant water requirements and maintaining high yields. Another challenge Nebraska experiences in it's approximately 3.5‐million‐ha irrigated lands is limited adoption of newer technologies/tools to help farmers better manage irrigation, conserve water and energy, and increase plant water use efficiency. In 2005, …

Estimating Dilemma Zone Hazard Function At High Speed Isolated Intersection, Anuj Sharma, Darcy Bullock, Srinivas Peeta

Anuj Sharma Publications

The traditional surrogate measures of safety (like number of vehicles in dilemma zone) fail to quantify the risk of crash. Traffic conflict has been proposed as an improved surrogate measure of safety for operations at isolated intersections to quantify the risk. This paper develops a dilemma zone hazard function estimating procedure to obtain the probability of traffic conflict occurring. This approach is an extension of the current approach of dilemma zone boundaries to determine the risk of traffic conflict for an individual vehicle in the case of a dilemma zone incursion. Field data collected from the intersection of SR37 and …

Nebraska Agricultural Water Management Demonstration Network (Nawmdn): Integrating Research And Extension/Outreach, Suat Irmak, Jennifer M. Rees, Gary L. Zoubek, Brandy S. Van Dewalle, William R. Rathje, Rodney Debuhr, Dan Leininger, Darrel D. Siekman, James W. Schneider, Andrew P. Christiansen

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Maximizing the net benefits of irrigated plant production through appropriately designed agricultural water management programs is of growing importance in Nebraska, and other western and Midwestern states, because many areas are involved in management and policy changes to conserve irrigation water. In Nebraska, farmers are being challenged to practice conservation methods and use water resources more efficiently while meeting plant water requirements and maintaining high yields. Another challenge Nebraska experiences in it's approximately 3.5‐million‐ha irrigated lands is limited adoption of newer technologies/tools to help farmers better manage irrigation, conserve water and energy, and increase plant water use efficiency. In 2005, …

Quantitative Comparison And Modeling Of Urban Storm Water Mass Loadings In The City Of Lincoln, Nebraska, Patrick R. Hartman

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

The main goal of this study is to monitor, and then compare results related to the water quality and mass loadings of several constituents at two sites in Lincoln, Nebraska. Differences in water quality were assessed using matched-pair t-tests. Mass loadings were examined using cumulative mass plots, and a predictive model for total suspended solids (TSS) was developed at both sites using real-time data obtained from a USGS data probe. Statistical comparison tests were conducted on the collected water quality data to detect differences based on sample type (auto vs. grab) and sample location (Taylor Park vs. Colonial Hills) for …

Development Of The Mask Scentometer, A Comparison Of Ambient Odor Assessment Methods, And Their Application In Ground Truthing Atmospheric Dispersion Models, Christopher G. Henry

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

This dissertation is organized as four stand-alone papers. Paper No. 1 describes the development of the Mask Scentometer and reports dilution ratios measured during use by twelve different people. Dilution ratios at the Mask Scentometer’s five dilution-to-threshold (D/T) settings were found to be 0.35, 1, 2, 4.5 and 18. In Paper No.’s 2 and 4, ambient odor assessment methods were compared in both controlled laboratory conditions and in the field. Laboratory analysis of ambient air samples using dynamic triangular forced-choice olfactometry (DTFCO) did not correlate well with any of the ambient odor assessment methods. Average intensity-predicted D/T was roughly five …

Wim Based Live Load Model For Bridge Reliability, Marek Kozikowski

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Development of a valid live load model is essential for assessment of serviceability and safety of highway bridges. The current HL-93 load model is based on the Ontario truck measurements performed in 1975. Since that time truck loads have changed significantly. Therefore, the goal of this study is to analyze 2005-2007 Weigh-In-Motion (WIM) data and develop a new statistical live load model.

The analyzed WIM data includes 47,000,000 records obtained from different states. A special program was developed to calculate the maximum live load effect. Comparison of the old and new truck data showed that on average Ontario trucks are …

Effects Of Aggregate Angularity On Mix Design Characteristics And Pavement Performance, Leonardo T. Souza, Yong-Rak Kim

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Effects Of Aggregate Angularity On Mix Design Characteristics And Pavement Performance, Yong-Rak Kim, Leonardo T. Souza

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

This research targeted two primary purposes: to estimate current aggregate angularity test methods and to evaluate current aggregate angularity requirements in the Nebraska asphalt mixture/pavement specification. To meet the first research objective, various aggregate angularity tests were estimated with the same sets of aggregates and were compared by investigating their characteristics on testing repeatability, cost, testing time, workability, and sensitivity of test results. For the second objective, the effect of aggregate angularity on mixture performance was investigated by conducting laboratory performance tests (the uniaxial static creep test and the indirect tensile fracture energy test) of five mixes designed with different …

Live Load Models For Long Span Bridges, Marta Lutomirska

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

In the doctoral dissertation a live load model for long span structures was derived. The live load model is valid for spans between 600 ft and 5000 ft and it is intended to reflect current traffic patterns, quantities of trucks and their weights. The live load models available were developed for short and medium span bridges. Those models were not appropriate for long span bridges due to different types of structure and critical traffic patterns. Live load on long spans depends on traffic mix. One heavily overloaded truck does not have significant influence. Moreover, the continuous increase in the number …

Precast Post-Tensioned Segmental Pole System: U.S. Patent No. Us 6,851,231 B2, Maher K. Tadros, E. Terence Foster, Sherif A. Yehia, Audra L. Hansen

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A precast post-tensioned segmental pole system capable of supporting a load is provided. The pole system includes a plurality of pole segments that use connectors and strands to anchor them together. The strands extend within a cavity formed in the pole segments and are external to the wall structure of the pole segments. The strands may be coupled between both of the pole segments, or be anchored to a connector. The connector includes an upper piece that is coupled to one pole segment, and a lower piece that is coupled to the other pole segment. Upper and lower pieces interlock …

Use Of Ground Penetrating Radar For Construction Quality Assurance O Concrete Pavement, George Morcous, Ece Erdogmus

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Nutrient And Bacterial Transport In Runoff From Soil And Pond Ash Amended Feedlot Surfaces, John E. Gilley, Jason R. Vogel, Elaine D. Berry, Roger Eigenberg, David B. Marx, Brian L. Woodbury

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

The addition of pond ash (fly ash that has been placed in evaporative ponds and subsequently dewatered) to feedlot surfaces provides a healthier environment for livestock and economic advantages for the feedlot operator. However, the water quality effects of pond ash amended surfaces are not well understood. The objectives of this field investigation were to: (1) compare feedlot soil properties, and nutrient and bacterial transport in runoff, from pond ash amended surfaces and soil surfaces; (2) compare the effects of unconsolidated surface materials (USM) (loose manure pack) and consolidated subsurface materials (CSM) (compacted manure and underlying layers) on nutrient and …

Moisture Sensitivity Of Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures In Nebraska -- Phase Ii, Ingryd Pinto, Hoki Ban, Yong-Rak Kim

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Performance Limits For 6-In. High Curbs Placed In Advance Of The Mgs Using Mash Vehicles Part:Ii Full-Scale Crash Testing, Karla A. Lechtenberg, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, Robert W. Bielenberg M.S.C.E., E.I.T., Jeffery C. Thiele, John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Behavior And Design Of Buried Concrete Pipes Phase Ii, Ece Erdogmus, Maher K. Tadros

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Termination And Anchorage Of Temporary Concrete Barriers, Scott Rosenbaugh, Robert W. Bielenberg, Ronald K. Faller, John R. Rohde, Dean L. Sicking, Karla A. Lechtenberg, James C. Holloway M.S.C.E., E.I.T., John D. Reid

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Investigation And Mitigation Of Driver Confusion At Modern Roundabouts, Aemal Khattak, Gregory Mcknight, Karen Schurr, Ram R. Bishu

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

Construction of modern roundabouts in place of traditional four-legged intersections is becoming common in the United States. Roundabout negotiation can be confusing for drivers who are not familiar with their use. This research was carried out to identify roundabout elements that play a role in incorrect roundabout negotiation, ascertain driver characteristics prominent in incorrect roundabout negotiation, assess the relative potential for incorrect negotiation amongst different groups of drivers, and suggest measures for improving drivers’ abilities to negotiate roundabouts. Potential for incorrect roundabout negotiation was measured by asking questions in a survey questionnaire related to rules of roundabout negotiation and the …