Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

High-Impact, Energy-Absorbing Vehicle Barrier System: U.S. Patent No. Us 6,926,461 B1, Ronald K. Faller, Dean L. Sicking, John R. Rohde, A. Keller, Robert W. Bielenberg, James C. Holloway, Kenneth H. Addink, Karla A. Polivka

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

A high-impact, energy-absorbing vehicle barrier system generally includes a substantially rigid outer containment wall coupled via cable restraint assemblies with an energy-absorbing inner impact wall, and energy-absorbing cartridges strategically positioned between the impact wall and containment-wall: The impact wall is constructed of a number of rectangular tubes coupled with one another to presents a substantially smooth, uniform surface to passing vehicles. The energy-absorbing cartridges generally consist of a number of foam sheets which compress and crush between the containment wall and impact wall to absorb energy from an errant vehicle striking the face of the impact wall, while the deflection …

Ndor Regression Equations, Branden J. Strahm, David M. Admiraal

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Stochastic Modeling Of The Permeability Of Randomly Generated Porous Media, Yusong Li, Eugene Leboeuf, P. K. Basu, Sankaran Mahadevan

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Permeability of porous media in subsurface environments is subject to potentially large uncertainties due to the heterogeneity of natural systems. In this study, a first-order reliability method (FORM) is combined with a lattice Boltzmann method (LBM) to estimate the permeability of randomly generated porous media. The proposed procedure provides an increased ease of addressing complex pore structures by employing LBM to model fluid flow, while inheriting the computational efficiency from FORM. Macroscale- equivalent permeability can thus be estimated with significantly reduced computational efforts, while maintaining a connection to the complex microscale fluid dynamics within a pore structure environment. Implemented on …

Long Term Monitoring Of A Steel Bridge Constructed Using Phase Constructoin, Aaron Jon Yakel, Paulo Marchon, Atorod Azizinamini

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Development Of A Steel Bridge System - Simple For Dead Load And Continuous For Live Load, Atorod Azizinamini, Aaron Jon Yakel, Mohammadreza Farimani

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Composite Action System And Method: U.S. Patent No. Us 6,871,462 B2, Atorod Azizinamini

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The present invention provides a composite action system and a method for fabricating the same to meet OSHA safety requirements and allow for welding off the work site. An improved structural system achieves the desired composite behavior by providing one or more structural members, plates coupled with the structural members, transverse reinforcing members passing through apertures in the plates, and additional reinforcing members positioned parallel and transverse to the structural members to provide an interlocking composite action between the structural members, reinforcing members, and concrete.

Effects Of Central Island Landscape Treatments At Single-Lane Roundabouts, Karen Schurr, Jorge Abos-Sanchez

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Evaluation Of Alternate Cable Anchor Designs And Three-Cable Guardrail Adjacent To Steep Slope, Ryan M. Nelson, Dean L. Sicking, Ronald K. Faller, John D. Reid, John R. Rohde, Karla A. Polivka, Jason A. Hascall

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

No abstract provided.

Shear Stress In Smooth Rectangular Open-Channel Flows, Junke Guo, Pierre Y. Julien

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The average bed and sidewall shear stresses in smooth rectangular open-channel flows are determined after solving the continuity and momentum equations. The analysis shows that the shear stresses are function of three components: (1) gravitational; (2) secondary flows; and (3) interfacial shear stress. An analytical solution in terms of series expansion is obtained for the case of constant eddy viscosity without secondary currents. In comparison with laboratory measurements, it slightly overestimates the average bed shear stress measurements but underestimates the average sidewall shear stress by 17% when the width–depth ratio becomes large. A second approximation is formulated after introducing two …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, December 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 7 NOV 2005 through 28 NOV 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft. Peck, MT

Garrison, ND

Oahe, SD

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, October 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 27 JUN 2005 through 31AUG 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft.Peck, MT

Garrison, ND

Oahe,SD

Relationship Of Stream Flow Regime In The Western Lake Superior Basin To Watershed Type Characteristics, N. E. Detenbeck, V. J. Brady, D. L. Taylor, V. M. Snarski, S. L. Batterman

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

To test a conceptual model of non-linear response of hydrologic regimes to watershed characteristics, we selected 48 secondand third-order study sites on the North and South Shores of western Lake Superior, MN(USA) using a random-stratified design based on hydrogeomorphic region, fraction mature forest, and fraction watershed storage (lakeCwetland area/watershed area). We calculated several commonly used hydrologic indices from discharge and velocity estimates, including daily flow indices, overall flood indices, low flow variables, and ratios or ranges of flow percentiles reflecting the nature of cumulative frequency distributions. Four principal components (PCs) explained 85.9 and 88.6% of the variation of flow metrics …

Regional Scale Evidence For Improvements In Surface Water Chemistry 1990-2001, B. L. Skjelkvåle, J. L. Stoddard, D. S. Jeffries, K. Tørseth, T. Høgåsen, J. Bowman, J. Mannio, D. T. Monteith, R. Mosello, M. Rogora, D. Rzychon, J. Vesely, J. Wieting, A. Wilander, A. Worsztynowicz

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

The main aim of the international UNECE monitoring program ICP Waters under the Convention of Long-range Transboundary Air Pollution (CLRTAP) is to assess, on a regional basis, the degree and geographical extent of the impact of atmospheric pollution, in particular acidification, on surface waters. Regional trends are calculated for 12 geographical regions in Europe and North America, comprising 189 surface waters sites. From 1990-2001 sulphate concentrations decreased in all but one of the investigated regions. Nitrate increased in only one region, and decreased in three North American regions. Improvements in alkalinity and pH are widely observed. Results from the ICP …

A Trade Construction Knowledge Module To Enable Use Of Design Component Data In Project Management, Zhigang Shen, Raja R. A. Issa, William J. O'Brien, Ian Flood

Department of Construction Engineering and Management: Faculty Publications

The complexity, tight budget, and dynamic market of today's construction project require the seamless integration of both design and construction data, However, despite the availability of both digital design tools (various CAD applications) and digital project management tools (such as schedule software and construction management software), design data has to still be entered manually into construction applications. In order to close this gap, CAD applications widely used in AEC industries are evolving toward providing the product data within the CAD package itself, in addition to the existing graphic-oriented data. While useful, those new data-driven CAD applications are largely design-oriented and …

2005 Government And Industry Pipeline R&D Forum Proceedings

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

A steering committee comprised of thirteen government and industry organizations organized, planned and executed this forum. The forum brought together over 185 representatives from State, Federal and foreign government offices along with domestic and foreign natural gas and hazardous liquid pipeline operators. The forum’s goals included identifying key challenges facing industry and government, sharing information on current research efforts, and identifying research that can help to meet the challenges.

Advanced Coatings R&D For Pipelines And Related Facilities

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

This workshop was held at the National Institute of Standards and Technology’s Gaithersburg Maryland campus June 9-10, 2005 with support from the Office of Pipeline Safety of the U.S. Department of Transportation. To organize this meeting, a steering committee was assembled that was composed of 20 representatives from the pipeline industry, industry consortia, pipeline standards developing organizations, government agencies, and regulatory agencies from the US and Canada. This committee planned the agenda, identified speakers, determined the number and nature of the working groups, and helped promote attendance. The workshop had 56 registered attendees representing pipeline operators, coatings manufacturers, pipeline fabricators, …

Rd&T Program Review 2005

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

PHMSA Mission

PHMSA Office of Pipeline Safety

All Inclusive Process

Relevance - Prospective

Quality - Prospective

Performance - Prospective

Leveraging Research Accomplishments, Ideas For Improvement And Cross-Modal Research

PHMSA Office of Hazardous Materials Safety

Relevance - Prospective

Quality - Prospective

Performance - Prospective

Leveraging Research Accomplishments, Ideas For Improvement And Cross-Modal Research

Implications Of Invasion By Juniperus Virginiana On Small Mammals In The Southern Great Plains, Valerie J. Horncastle, Eric C. Hellgren, Paul M. Mayer, Amy C. Ganguli, David M. Engle, David M. Leslie, Jr.

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Changes in landscape cover in the Great Plains are resulting from the range expansion and invasion of eastern red cedar (Juniperus virginiana). By altering the landscape and local vegetation, red cedar is changing the structure and function of habitat for small mammals. We examined effects of invasion by eastern red cedar on small mammals in 3 plant communities (tallgrass prairie, old field, and cross-timbers forest) in the cross-timbers ecoregion in Oklahoma. We sampled small mammals seasonally from May 2001 to August 2002 by using Sherman live traps and mark–recapture techniques on 3.24-ha, 450-trap grids in each plant community. …

Configuration Methodology For Traffic-Responsive Plan Selection: A Global Perspective, Montasir M. Abbas, Nadeem A. Chaudhary, Geza Pesti, Anuj Sharma

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Although several studies have shown the potential great benefits of traffic-responsive plan selection (TRPS) control, time-of-day operation continues to be the primary method used to select patterns for signal control applications. This practice could be largely attributed to the minimal guidelines available on the setup of the TRPS mode. An innovative framework for TRPS system setup is provided, and guidelines for implementing TRPS in a simplified manner are shown. The guidelines, developed at Texas Transportation Institute (TTI), use a comprehensive approach that incorporates a multiobjective evolutionary algorithm and a supervised discriminant analysis. Engineers can directly implement the guidelines presented as …

Biological Opinion On The Operation Of The Missouri River Main Stem System, Missouri River Bank Stabilization And Navigation Project, And Operation Of The Kansas River Reservoir System

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

The U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) prepares an annual report for interested parties in accordance with reporting requirements of the "Biological Opinion (BiOp) on the Operation of the Missouri River Main Stem System, Operation and Maintenance of the Missouri River Bank Stabilization and Navigation Project (BSNP), and Operation of the Kansas River Reservoir System" prepared by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (Service) dated November 30,2000 and the Amendment, thereto, dated December 16,2003.

This annual report documents the Corps threatened and endangered species conservation activities to comply with the provisions of the 2000 BiOp and the 2003 Amendment to …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, August 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Missouri River Basin Drought Overview

Pre-Settlement Drought

Drought Since 1895

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook 1

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 27 JUN 2005 through 1 AUG 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft. Peck, MT …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, July 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Drought Monitor Overview

Latest Seasonal Assessment

U.S. Seasonal Drought Outlook

U.S. Drought Monitor

National Drought Summary July 12, 2005

Current Drought Impacts in the United States

Drought Severity Index by Division

Mainstem Reservoir Information

Reservoir Control Center Predictions

Basic Simulation

Lower Basic Simulation

Upper Basic Simulation

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

FY 05 Action Items

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe Assessment

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access …

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, November 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 3 OCT 2005 through 31 OCT 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year 2005

Ft.Peck, MT

Garrison, ND

Oahe, SD

U.S. Army Corps Of Engineers Omaha District Monthly Drought Report, September 2005

United States Army Corps of Engineers, Omaha District

Missouri River Basin Drought Overview

Pre-Settlement Drought

Drought Since 1895

Current Conditions

Drought Outlook

Ft. Peck, Montana

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Garrison, North Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Boat Ramp Information

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Other Areas of Interest/Concern

Oahe, South Dakota

Reservoir Elevation Overview

Water Intake Overview

Access Overview

Noxious Weeds Overview

Cultural Resources Overview

Mainstem Reservoir Information, Weekly Elevation Comparison 27 JUN 2005 through 31 AUG 2005

Mainstem Reservoir Storage Comparison Water Year 2004 vs. Water Year  2005

Ft. Peck, MT

Garrison, …

Evaluation Of Toxic Agent Effects On Lung Cells By Fiber Evanescent Wave Spectroscopy, Pierre Lucas, David Lee Coq, Christophe Juncker, Jayne Collier, Dianne E. Boesewetter, Catherine Boussard-Pledel, Bruno Bureau, Mark R. Riley

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Biochemical changes in living cells are detected using a fiber probe system composed of a single chalcogenide fiber acting as both the sensor and transmission line for infrared optical signals. The signal is collected via evanescent wave absorption along the tapered sensing zone of the fiber. We spectroscopically monitored the effects of the surfactant Triton X-lOO, which serves as a toxic agent simulant on a transformed human lung carcinoma type II epithelial cell line (A549). We observe spectral changes between 2800-3000 cm-1 in four absorptions bands, which are assigned to hydrocarbon vibrations of methylene and methyl groups in membrane lipids. …

Evaluation Of Methods For Estimating Daily Reference Crop Evapotranspiration At A Site In The Humid Southeast United States, R. E. Yoder, Lameck O. Odhiambo, Wesley C. Wright

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Estimated daily reference crop evapotranspiration (ET_o) is normally used to determine the water requirement of crops using the crop factor method. Many ET_o estimation methods have been developed for different types of climatic data, and the accuracy of these methods varies with climatic conditions. In this study, pair−wise comparisons were made between daily ET_o estimated from eight different ET_o equations and ET_o measured by lysimeter to provide information helpful in selecting an appropriate ET_o equation for the Cumberland Plateau located in the humid Southeast United States. Based on the standard error of the …

Remote Estimation Of Canopy Chlorophyll Content In Crops, Anatoly A. Gitelson, Andrés Viña, Veronica Ciganda, Donald Rundquist, Timothy J. Arkebauer

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Accurate estimation of spatially distributed chlorophyll content (Chl) in crops is of great importance for regional and global studies of carbon balance and responses to fertilizer (e.g., nitrogen) application. In this paper a recently developed conceptual model was applied for remotely estimating Chl in maize and soybean canopies. We tuned the spectral regions to be included in the model, according to the optical characteristics of the crops studied, and showed that the developed technique allowed accurate estimation of total Chl in both crops, explaining more than 92% of Chl variation. This new technique shows great potential for remotely tracking the …

Modeling Sediment Trapping In A Vegetative Filter Accounting For Converging Overland Flow, M. J. Helmers, D. E. Eisenhauer, Thomas G. Franti, Michael G. Dosskey

Department of Agricultural and Biological Systems Engineering: Faculty Publications

Vegetative filters (VF) are used to remove sediment and other pollutants from overland flow. When modeling the hydrology of VF, it is often assumed that overland flow is planar, but our research indicates that it can be two-dimensional with converging and diverging pathways. Our hypothesis is that flow convergence will negatively influence the sediment trapping capability of VF. The objectives were to develop a two-dimensional modeling approach for estimating sediment trapping in VF and to investigate the impact of converging overland flow on sediment trapping by VF. In this study, the performance of a VF that has field-scale flow path …

Optimization Of Time Of Day Plan Scheduling Using A Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithm, Montasir M. Abbas, Anuj Sharma

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Coordinating traffic signals can provide great savings to motorists in terms of reduced delays and number of vehicular stops. In order to maximize benefits, engineers need to use a mechanism by which the most optimal timing plans are activated when the traffic patterns change. Common ways of accomplishing this need is by using Time of Day (TOD) plan scheduling, or Traffic Responsive Plan Selection (TRPS). Out of the two modes, the TOD mode is by far the most common. Engineers, however, typically use their judgment to determine the TOD plan scheduling. Unless traffic patterns change at certain times of the …

Safety Evaluation Of Left Turn Lane Line Width At Intersections With Opposing Left Turn Lanes, Aemal Khattak, Bhaven Naik, Vijay Kannan

Nebraska Department of Transportation: Research Reports

The objective of this research project was to evaluate the effectiveness of offset opposing left-turn lanes at signalized intersections in reducing the frequency and severity of left-turn related accidents. The Cities of Lincoln and Omaha offset opposing left-turns by widening leftturn lane lines in June 1999 at six intersections. The research team investigated traffic accident patterns between January 1994 and December 2002 at those six intersections by making comparisons with two control intersections (i.e. intersections at which left-turns were not offset by lane line widening) using a four-step research methodology. First, existing literature was reviewed to determine the extent and …