Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

A Model Of Strategy For Competitive Bidding In The Construction Industry., Thomas L. Morin

Civil Engineering ETDs

Competitive bidding is an intriguing, unique, and sometimes critical activity of management. In the construction industry competitive bidding is particularly important since the vast majority of private and public work is obtained by bidding against other contractors. In fact, Clough (1)* points out that competitive bidding, "the contract method of construction," accounts for an estimated 95 percent of all public construction work. Basically, the bidding process consists of several competing contractors submitting closed bids to a client who selects the bid most desirable to him. The client will usually, and may be legally required to, accept the lowest bid. Obviously, …

Wave-Propagation Studies In Confined Sands., Warren J. Baker

Civil Engineering ETDs

An experimental study of the relationship between pertinent wave=propagation parameters and the one-dimensional stress-strain behavior of two sands was conducted. The stress-strain relation for the sands was characterized by a nonlinear strain-hardening behavior. The nature of the stress-chain curve implies that shocks should form or be sustained in the soil. This phenomenon was studied by observing the dynamic and kinematic characteristics generated by a soft-fronted stress pulse applied to one end of a long slender sample of confined sand. To develop a method of predicting the kinematics of wave propagation from the stress-strain curve, the observed wave-propagation parameters were related …

An Experimental Investigation Of The Continuous Penetration Of A Blunt Body Into A Simulated Cohesionless Soil., John Lewis Colp

Civil Engineering ETDs

The penetration of one object into a larger mass may well have been one of the earliest interests of man. History shows that early man was well aware of the occurrence of the penetration event by his use of spears and other projectiles in his search for food. Interest in penetration events has been continuous through man's development. Today this interest has even outstripped man's natural environment to include the serious study of penetration into extra-terrestrial bodies such as the lunar surface.

The Problem:

The penetration of many materials is currently being studied by many investigators. Some of the materials …

Electronic Computer Program For The Solution Of Slope Stability By The Wedge Method Of Analysis., James O. Boardman

Civil Engineering ETDs

Earth embankments and the foundation upon which they rest are subject to abear stresses induced by their own weight. It the embankment serves as a water retention structure, additional shear stresses are developed by seepage forces originating from pore pressure, from the reservoir pool and from rainfall. In certain regions, earthquake forces must also be added to these gravity and water forces.

Prior to the turn or the century and tor thirty some years after, earth dam side slopes were selected on the basis of past experience in lieu of a theoretical analysis. Justin, a noted authority on earth dam …

Experimental Investigation Of Free Field Conditions In Tanks To Be Used In Interaction Studies, Clark P. Sanger

Civil Engineering ETDs

Experiments to determine the effects of boundary friction losses on static and dynamic vertical stress transmission and to determine the stress-strain relationship of standard 20-30 Ottawa sand in 8-inch-I.D. tanks to be used in burial structure interaction studies are presented. In these tests the tank height, boundary condition, sand density, and overpressure rise time were varied. The use of a greased rubber membrane proved to be a reliable method of minimizing the boundary friction losses thus creating a strain field that was independent of the tank height. Vertical stress transmission was not affected by the overpressure load rate. The stress-strain …

The Effects Of Repeated Loading On The Modulus Of Elasticity Of Concrete, Fidel T. Smith

Civil Engineering ETDs

Under present design methods, the modulus of elasticity is designated only with respect to the ultimate strength and the unit weight of concrete and is assumed constant throughout the life of the structure. The only provision made for change in the modulus of elasticity due to age, moisture content, type of loading or fatigue is to assume the weakest condition of the concrete. On elastic analysis the stress-strain relationship is assumed to be linear and the concrete is assumed to carry no tensile stress. In ultimate design procedures the concept of straight line distribution of stress is dropped and a …

The Effects Of An Epoxy (Epocast 546) Upon The Tensile And Compressive Properties Of Portland Cement Concrete, Alvy C. Jackson

Civil Engineering ETDs

Although the behavioral pattern of plain concrete in compression is fairly consistent, its tensile properties leave much to be desired. The laboratory investigation described here was an attempt to increase the tensile property of plain concrete by adding an epoxy resin compound to the mixture. The investigation included tests for both compressive and tensile strengths of the mixtures that were considered. The compressive strength tests were included to determine what effect, if any, the attempt to increase the tensile property had on compressive strength.

A Multistory Structure Concept, Wybe J. Van Der Meer

Civil Engineering ETDs

It is the objective of this thesis to investigate the feasibility of a multistoried structural concept in which the principal structural elements are hollow girders and chambered hollow columns. The scope will be directed towards the general conceptions, assumptions and design procedures for the system. Only such specific design of a particular example will be accomplished as is necessary to provide correlation and justification for the general assumptions. A detailed investigation and design is not intended since this thesis is oriented towards establishing a general concept not merely a particular example.

The Sand Equivalent As An Acceptance And Control Test For Asphaltic Concrete In New Mexico, Delmar E. Calhoun

Civil Engineering ETDs

The research reported in this thesis was sponsored by the New Mexico State Highway Department and was directed at evaluating the efficacy of the sand equivalent test when used on New Mexico aggregates used for asphaltic concrete pavements.

Sediment Transport Parameters, Rio Puerco Near Bernardo, New Mexico., Carl F. Nordin Jr.

Civil Engineering ETDs

Preliminary findings of a study of sediment transport in streams with high concentrations of suspended fine sediment indicate that for Rio Puerco near Bernardo, New Mexico the velocity varies logarithmically with depth, and the concentration distribution for several size classes of sand may be described by a conventional distribution equation if the fall velocity of the sand is corrected for the influence of the fine sediment. A corrected fall velocity, empirically defined for a temperature of 24°C and for concentrations up to about 150,000 ppm, is given.

The purpose of this study was to investigate some aspects of the sediment …

Compressive And Flexural Strength Of Portland Cement Concrete As Affected By Fractured Particles Of Coarse Aggregate, Russell L. Vesper

Civil Engineering ETDs

Although a great deal of experimental data are available on many of the factors involved in a concrete mix design, a limited amount of work has been done to determine the effect of the surface characteristics of the concrete aggregates. Some research has been done in this connection by the New Mexico Highway Department. Some of the results of this research are included in a later section of this thesis.

An Evaluation Of Concrete Making Properties Of Scoria Lightweight Aggregate Based On Compressive Strength, Khurshid Ahmad Chaudhry

Civil Engineering ETDs

Compressive strength of scoria-aggregate concrete was examined by introducing controlled variables into the mix proportions. A mix design method for accurate mix design was formulated and was analyzed for consistency and feasibility.

An Investigation Of Indeterminate Structures Stressed Beyond The Proportional Limit, Jack B. Joyce

Civil Engineering ETDs

In the structural field the methods of designing have been geared to the development of materials...In a more current appraisal we see steel and concrete being updated still further. Pre-stressed concrete is a common sight in present day construction work and, to a lesser extent, the educated eye sees rigid frames designed to ultimate load criteria. Here again are cases where materials are studied and found to possess characteristics that are adaptable to advance methods. The key to all such improvements is still the realization and utilization of material properties.

An Investigation Of The Behavior Of Asphalt Stabilized Sand In Triaxial Compression Testing, Joseph P. Callahan

Civil Engineering ETDs

More and more in highway construction, the engineer is faced with the problem of locating satisfactory materials to be used in the construction of highways. This problem has become very critical in the selection of a satisfactory aggregate to be used in many phases of the construction. In large metropolitan areas and in other regions of the United States unblessed with an abundance of this aggregate, it was found that where once there was no shortage of suitable material, the supplies have now been practically exhausted.

Digital Computers And Their Application To Civil Engineering Problems, Richard G. Vaughan

Civil Engineering ETDs

Early in 1960 a study was undertaken by the author to become acquainted with the use and application of digital computers in the structural and civil engineering fields. After several months study and attendance, during the summer of 1960, at a National Science Foundation Institute on the use of digital computers in engineering, it was felt that the study could be expanded and presented in thesis form. The principal benefit from the study, other than the author's, will possibly be the integration into the civil engineering curricula of the material contained in the thesis.

The material as presented is the …

The Use Of Ferrophosphorous And Manganese Ore In High Density Concrete For Radiation Shieding, Robert A. Crist Jr.

Civil Engineering ETDs

The scope of this thesis encompasses the investigation of the feasibilities of using a locally and/or readily available heavy aggregate for high density concrete. Such an aggregate was found to be available in Socorro, New Mexico. The Socorro Manganese Corporation has a stockpile of over 7,000 tons of high-grade manganese ore (specific gravity = 4.5) potentially suitable as a heavy aggregate, and some of which was used for this research. Along with the manganese ore was used ferrophosphorous, a very heavy aggregate manufacture by the Victor Chemical Works (specific gravity = 6.5), to obtain a range of densities that would …

Correlation Of The Atterberg Limits And The California Bearing Ratio Values For Soil-Cement Media, Vernon E. Kerr

Civil Engineering ETDs

Tests were made on three different soils, using controlled amounts of Portland cement and water. All tests were made using a standard liquid limit device or a six-inch mold. The variables were amounts of Portland cement, degree and thoroughness of mixing, moisture content, curing and compaction of samples. The recommended procedures for performing the Plastic Limits Test, Liquid Limits Test and the California Bearing Ratio Test were followed with very few exceptions. All values obtained from testing are entered in the report and no retesting was done.

Mix Design Study And Compressive Strengths Obtainable From Pumice-Aggregate Concrete, Benjamin F. Snow

Civil Engineering ETDs

Compressive strengths of pumice-aggregate concrete were examined by introducing controlled variables into the mix proportions. A mix design method is presented, and this method was analyzed for consistency and feasibility.

Experimental Determination Of Dynamic Stress Concentration Factors In Rectangular Steel Bars, Jerome E. Ligocki

Civil Engineering ETDs

Stress concentration factors obtained from impact tests indicate substantial agreement with experimentally derived static stress concentration factors. Testing was limited to one 3/8 diameter centrally located hole in a long rectangular bar 2 inches wide. The hole was located at a bar cross section where a plane wave was found to exist. Stress pulse lengths as short as 50 microseconds duration was used in the experiments.

The experimental results confirm the ability of the resistance strength gage to accurately measure stress pulses. The proper amplitude response of the gage is proven by comparison with dynamic and static test results. The …

Evaluation Of New Mexico Asphaltic Concrete Aggregates By The Sand Equivalent Test, John P. Boyd

Civil Engineering ETDs

No abstract provided.

A Study Of The Concrete Making Properties Of Idealite Lightweight Expanded Shale Aggregate, John J. Ahlskog

Civil Engineering ETDs

Among the many commercially produced lightweight aggregates, Idealite seems to exhibit many desirable qualities. According to the available literature, the expanded shale group of lightweight aggregates are capable of producing concrete with excellent structural characteristics, and one researcher found that expanded shale aggregate produced in rotary kilns resulted in the lowest weight aggregates of the ten groups that he studied.1 While having low creep and shrinkage values, Idealite has been found to give strengths equal to or better than that of conventional sand and gravel concretes.

Idealite concretes are also reported to have excellent workability properties.^

An Evaluation Of The Beggs Deformeter In Two-Dimensional Structural Analysis And An Investigation Of The Deformeter In Three-Dimensional Structural Analysis, Dwight F. Denton

Civil Engineering ETDs

It was the purpose of this thesis to evaluate the Beggs deformeter in two-dimensional structural frames and then investigate the possible use in three-dimensional structural frames. It is intended in dealing with the subject to explain and describe the deformeter apparatus and verify the theoretical principle through actual structural model analysis.

An Investigation Of The Effects Of Pozzolans On New Mexico Concrete Aggregates, Harry W. Montgomery

Civil Engineering ETDs

It was the purpose of this investigation to determine some of the effects a pozzolan has on Portland cement concrete when New Mexico aggregates are used. The specific items investigated were (1) to determine the effects of a pozzolan on the alkali aggregate expansion in concrete; (2) to show the effect on the compressive strength of concrete and the tensile strength of mortar briquettes when part of the Portland cement is replaced with a pozzolan; (3) to determine whether or not the “Mason Jar Expansion Test” would give reliable results; and (4) to determine whether or not an aggregate, with …

A Study Of The Application Of Digital Computers For Controlling Vehicle Traffic At A Signalized Intersection, John V. Wait

Civil Engineering ETDs

This study outlines a method whereby a small, specialized "on-line" digital computer could be used to control urban vehicle traffic at a signalized intersection. In the basic system proposed, the computer uses as input data a "history" of the instantaneous vehicle flow, in terms of number of cars arriving and arrival time. The data are stored for a period of 240 seconds in a magnetic drum memory. Once each 1/2 second, the computer examines the arrival pattern of cars and compares the delay being imposed on the waiting cars versus the delay which would be imposed on the cars on …

Shear Strength Of Simply Supported Prestressed Concrete Beams Having Web Enforcement, Randolph E. Holt

Civil Engineering ETDs

The problem of shear strength in pre-stressed concrete beams is analogous to that in ordinary reinforced concrete, since there is very little difference between reinforced concrete and pre-stressed concrete beams in the cracked condition. Until very recently, the knowledge of the shear strength of reinforced concrete members and pre-stressed concrete members was wholly statistical. Developments in the last few years have advanced it to the semi-empirical level, ^5,6,7 but our knowledge of the effect that shear has on the ultimate strength of reinforced and pre-stressed concrete members is still far from complete.

The Effect Of Capillary Bleeding On The Compressive Strength Of Concrete, James L. Cramer

Civil Engineering ETDs

The purpose of this study was to determine the effect that bleeding has upon the compressive strength of concrete. Keeping in mind that the compressive strength of a concrete depends highly upon the water, cement ratio, it was reasonable to expect that the changing of the water content of the fresh concrete by bleeding would have a definite effect on the final compressive strength. While tests upon tests and studies upon studies have been made of cement and concrete, few, if any, have been concerned with this problem.

A Design Of Los Esteros Flood Control Dam, Constantine G. Hadjidakis

Civil Engineering ETDs

This thesis covers a preliminary design of the Los Esteros Dam based on limited subsurface investigations and laboratory testing. This earth-filled dam will be 222 feet high and will have a top width of 20 feet.

Construction Of A Heavy Duty Military Airfield On Permafrost., Owen N. O'Leary

Civil Engineering ETDs

An examination of the map of the northern hemisphere will show that the two great population areas of opposing ideologies are located across the arctic regions from each other. This fact has been recognized by the U.S. military authorities since the early 1940’s, and an effort has been made to locate military forces in these regions to act as a possible deterrent to any aggressive action. The nature and geography of this region generally preclude any military forces except combat airfield. The most outstanding and possible only example of a major military airfield located entirely on permafrost material in these …

An Investigation Of Compressive Testing Of Concrete, Gilbert R. Williamson

Civil Engineering ETDs

The strength of most materials is affected by the rate of application of the load and concrete is no exception. However, the effect of a varying rate of loading on the compressive strength of concrete has not been too fully investigated. This effect is one of the problems covered in this paper. The first investigation along these lines was done in 1917 by Duff Abrams of the Structural Materials Research Laboratory, Lewis Institute, Chicago. In 1936, Paul G. Jones and F. E. Richart, working at the University of Illinois Engineering Experiment Station, reported the result of their experiments of the …

The Effect Of Dynamic Loading On The Stress-Strain Curve Of Foam Plastics, Carroll D. Beaman

Civil Engineering ETDs

No abstract provided.