Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Modeling Crash Frequencies At Signalized Intersections In Central Flor, Smitha Kowdla

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

A high percentage of highway crashes in the United States occur at intersections. These crashes result in property damage, lost productivity, injury, and even death. Identifying intersections associated with high crash rate is very important to minimize future crashes. The purpose of this study is to develop efficient means to evaluate intersections, which may require safety improvements. The area covered by the analysis in this thesis includes Orange and Seminole Counties and the City of Orlando. The aforementioned counties and city thus represent Central Florida. Each County/City provided data that consisted of signalized intersection drawings that were either in the …

Failure Mode Identifications Of Rc Beams Externally Strengthened With, Chris O'Riordan-Adjah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The application of carbon reinforced-fiber polymers (CFRP) to structures is a new development that is still under intense research. However, the rehabilitation or retrofit of damage reinforced concrete members by the external bonding of CFRP is becoming increasingly popular in the construction industry. The objective of the tests presented in this thesis is to study different CFRP designs on the reinforced concrete beams and compare their failure modes. The main goal is to determine the CFRP design on the reinforced concrete beams that result in a progressive and gradual failure mode with enough warning before final failure. Different CFRP designs …

Summary Report: Strength Of Single L-Headers, Roger A. Laboube

American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) Specifications, Standards, Manuals and Research Reports (1946 - present)

No abstract provided.

Corrosion Of Galvanized Fasteners Used In Cold-Formed Steel Framing, American Iron And Steel Institute

CCFSS Library (1939 - present)

This research program investigated the potential for corrosion of galvanized fasteners used in cold-formed steel framing by exposing test samples to a variety of environmental conditions frequently found in Hawaii and elsewhere. The results of this research will aid in the evaluation of galvanized fasteners in various exposure conditions. Five field enclosures were constructed on the island of Oahu at coastal locations on both windward and leeward shores, and in the interior of the island. Each field enclosure represented various aspects of typical cold-formed steel construction and was equipped with a complete weather station. This report details the design, construction …

Tradition Versus Technology: Careers Fairs In The 21st Century, Christiane Brennan, Margaret Daly, Eileen Fitzpatrick, Edward Sweeney

Articles

The traditional methods of graduate recruitment do not adequately meet the needs of the changing profile of students and graduates. As industry becomes internationalized, the needs of employers are also changing. Graduate recruitment is in response to short term needs and varying levels of experience are required. A case study method was used in Technological University Dublin to evaluate effectiveness of a virtual careers fair in providing greater access to job opportunities for students and graduates. Access by employers to potential employees was also measured. Findings showed that while access improved, other issues requiring attention emerged.

An Improved Optimal Elemental Method For Updating Finite Element Models, Zhongdong Duan, B. F. Spencer, Guirong Yan, Jinping Ou

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Optimal Matrix Method and Optimal Elemental Method Used to Update Finite Element Models May Not Provide Accurate Results. This Situation Occurs When the Test Modal Model is Incomplete, as is Often the Case in Practice. an Improved Optimal Elemental Method is Presented that Defines a New Objective Function, and as a Byproduct, Circumvents the Need for Mass Normalized Modal Shapes, Which Are Also Not Readily Available in Practice. to Solve the Group of Nonlinear Equations Created by the Improved Optimal Method, the Lagrange Multiplier Method and Matlab Function Fmincon Are Employed. to Deal with Actual Complex Structures, the Float-Encoding …

Deformation Analysis Of Missouri Bridge Approach Embankments, Jonathan L. Robison, Ronaldo Luna

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Missouri has recently experienced below expectation performance or "the bump-at-the-end of the bridge" phenomena at bridge approach slab transitions. Information on approach slab performance was collected state wide to assess if the problem was limited to regional or geological distribution. Finite element analysis was then used to explore the soil embankment-bridge structure differential settlement in two Missouri bridges; MoDOT Bridge A6031 in Livingston County, and MoDOT Bridge A5834 in Pulaski County. These two cases are indicative of the types of soil conditions encountered in the Northern Glaciated Plains region (deeper compressible foundation soils) and the Southern Ozarks region (shallow rocky …

Kentucky Traffic Collision Facts 2004 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY’S TRAFFIC COLLISION FACTS report for 2004 is based on collision reports submitted to the Kentucky State Police Records Branch. As required by Kentucky Revised Statutes 189.635, “every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made...shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau.” The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize data on traffic collisions for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth. Data contained in this report are based solely on the observations …

Community Design Of A Light-Rail Transit Oriented Development Using Casewise Visual Evaluation (Cave), Keiron Bailey, Ted H. Grossardt

Kentucky Transportation Center Faculty and Researcher Publications

The Transit Authority of River City (TARC) is in the preliminary engineering phases of developing a light-rail transit system running from downtown Louisville, Kentucky to the city’s southern suburbs, a distance of approximately 15 miles. In collaboration with the research team, TARC wished to test an innovative methodology for improving community participation in the design of a light rail transit-oriented development for the Smoketown/Shelby Park area. The Smoketown/Shelby Park neighborhood is a low-income area located to the south of the University of Louisville Medical Center. A suitable site for the station has been identified by TARC and its design partners, …

Undergraduate Summer Research In Structural Engineering, Norbert J. Delatte

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications

For the last seven years, a summer Research Experiences for Undergraduates site in structural engineering, funded by the National Science Foundation, has operated at the University of Alabama at Birmingham. During this time, 33 students from 22 colleges and universities have participated in the site. Participants are recruited nationally and have come from as far away as California and Puerto Rico. The program is intended to provide students interested in graduate studies with an introduction to research methods, and to provide students who will not continue their studies past a bachelor of science in civil engineering with a better understanding …

Understanding Manufacturing Energy Use Through Statistical Analysis, J. Kelly Kissock, John Seryak

Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering Faculty Publications

Energy in manufacturing facilities is used for direct production of goods, space conditioning, and general facility support such as lighting. This paper presents a methodology for statistically analyzing plant energy use in terms of these major end uses. The methodology uses as few as 60 data points that are relatively easy for most plants to obtain. Multivariable change-point models of electricity and natural gas use as functions of outdoor air temperature and production data are then developed. The statistical models can be used to predict energy use for energy budgeting, measure savings, determine cost structures, and diagnostic purposes. Moreover, in …

Purchasing Consortia And Electronic Markets: A Procurement Direction In Integrated Supply Chain Management, Bernd Huber, Edward Sweeney, Austin Smyth

Articles

In supply chain management literature, there has been little empirical research investigation on purchasing consortium issues focusing on a detailed analysis of information and communication (ICT) based procurement strategies. Based on the exploration of academic literature and two surveys among purchasing organisations as well as e-Marketplaces / procurement service providers (PSPs) in the automotive and electronics industry sectors, the research methodology follows a positivistic approach in order to assess the overall statement: ‘Effective participation in electronic purchasing consortia (EPC) can have the potential to enhance competitive advantage. Implementation therefore requires a clear and detailed understanding of the major process structures …

Rationalising The Construction Materials Purchasing Process, Alan V. Hore

Conference papers

This paper is concerned with the process used in locating and removing inefficiency in the construction materials purchasing process. In the first part, a case study is presented showing the build-up of costs involved in purchasing materials. Potential for substantial savings is revealed. The second part of the paper gives a status report on a rationalisation pilot project currently being undertaken by the Construction Information Technology Alliance (CITA). This project aims to show how greater effectiveness and efficiency can be applied to the administration of the construction materials purchasing process by the application of information technology already used widely in …

Evaluation Of The Et2000 Guardrail End Treatment, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to report the results of the monitoring of the performance of the ET2000 guardrail end treatment in traffic crashes. This end treatment has an energy absorbing design in which a vehicle will push a guardrail extruder back as posts designed to breakaway are broken. The W-beam guardrail is flattened as it goes through the extruder and exits a slot away from traffic.

Data for a total of 135 collisions involving the ET 2000 were identified. A crash report was obtained in the majority of crashes and the damaged guardrail was inspected in almost all …

The Fuel Tax Compliance Unit: An Evaluation And Analysis Of Results, Suzanne Perkins Sapp

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The construction and maintenance of our nation's system of roads and highways is a major financial challenge. A majority of the responsibility for financing public roads and highways lies with state governments. Almost all states have special funds called Road Funds into which user fees and taxes associated with highway use are deposited. Unfortunately, Road Fund revenue growth has been slow due to the relative inelasticity of its revenue sources. At the same time, states face resistance to tax increases designed to enhance Road Fund revenues. One method of increasing such revenues, without increasing taxes, is to reduce evasion. Increased …

Natural Gas Delivery, Storage & Lng Pipeline Inspection Technologies Demonstration Report

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Assessing the integrity of natural gas transmission and distribution pipelines costs industry millions each year. With passage of the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act (PSIA) in 2002, industry will be required to invest significantly more capital to inspect and maintain their systems. The PSIA requires enhanced maintenance programs and continuing integrity inspection of all pipelines located within “high consequence areas” where a pipeline failure could threaten public safety, property and the environment. According to the Interstate Natural Gas Association of America (INGAA) the cost to industry to implement the PSIA in the first ten years will exceed $2 billion.

The Strategic …

Coatings For Corrosion Protection: Offshore Oil And Gas Operation Facilities, Marine Pipeline And Ship Structures

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

This workshop on Coatings for Corrosion Protection: Offshore Oil and Gas Operation Facilities, Marine Pipelines, Ship Structures, and Port Facilities was held on April 14-16, 2004 in Biloxi, Mississippi. This workshop of 150 attendees drew participation by internationally recognized marine coating experts, material specialists, inspection specialists, coating manufacturers, maintenance engineers, and designers. The workshop was crafted to include multiple viewpoints: industrial, academic, environmental, regulatory, standardization, and certification.

Keynote and topic papers were presented to establish a current information base for discussions. Six discussion groups addressed specific issues and identified, prioritized, and recommended specific research and development topics for the government …

Doe Natural Gas Infrastructure Reliability, Rodney Anderson

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

National Energy Technology Laboratory

Fossil Fuels Today

Energy Sector R&D Investments Low

Gas Infrastructure Reliability

Program Summary

Infrastructure Activities

Natural Gas Industry Background

Core R&D Areas & Issues

Implementation Strategy

Inspection Technologies

Conformable Array for Mapping Corrosion Profiles

Innovative Sensors for Pipeline Crawlers to Assess Pipeline Defects and Conditions

New Acoustic Wave Pipe Inspection System

Ultrasonic Measurements of Plastic Strain in Pipelines

EXPLORER: A Long Range Untethered Live Gasline Inspection Robot System

Roboscan – A Robotic Inspection Platform and Sensors for Assessing Corrosion and Mechanical Damage in Un-Piggable Transmission Mains

Remote Sensing

Detection of Unauthorized Construction Equipment in Pipeline Right-of-Ways …

Memorandum Of Understanding Among The U.S. Department Of Transportation, U.S. Department Of Energy, And The National Institute Of Standards And Technology On Pipe Line Integrity, Safety, And Reliability Research And Development

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

The purpose of this Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) is to detail the responsibilities of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT), the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), and the National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) (together, " the Participating Agencies") in a program of research, development, demonstration, and standardization to ensure the integrity of pipeline facilities. This MOU identifies program elements, as well as specific areas of agency expertise, and establishes a framework for coordination and collaboration by the Participating Agencies.

Five Year Interagency Research And Development Program Plan For Pipeline Safety And Integrity

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

As mandated by statute, the Department of Transportation, after extensive coordination with the Department of Energy and the National Institute of Standards and Technology, submits this five-year pipeline safety research and development program plan and the first required report on implementation of the program plan. Future R&D annual reports to Congress will describe progress made in implementing the plan.

An Overview Of Prcl’S Research Program, Christina Sames

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Today’s Briefing

Pipeline Research Council International, Inc. (PRCI)

A PRCI Snapshot

Who We Are

How Does it Work?

PRCI Technical Committees

R&D Budgets

PRCI Committees

Corrosion and Inspection Programs

Corrosion and Inspection Projects

Design, Construction, and Operation Programs

Materials Programs

Materials Projects

Contact Details

Pipeline Safety R&D At The Office Of Pipeline Safety, Jeff Wiese

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

Pipeline Safety R&D: Questions

What are We Trying to Accomplish Through the R&D Program? Pipeline Safety R&D Mission

What are We Trying to Accomplish Through the R&D Program? Strategic Objectives

What are the Elements & Goals of Our Management Approach?

What are the Components of our Management Approach?

R&D Topical Areas: Program Elements (1/2)

R&D Topical Areas: Program Elements (2/2)

R&D Topical Areas: Program Elements & Goals

Element-Level Funding: BAAs & Small Business Innovation Research

Turning R&D Results into Impacts - Setting Goals

Example of a Program Logic Model

Program Driver, Collaborators, and Controls

Defining Documentation

R&D Program MIS: Features …

Field Testing Of Remote Sensor Gas Leak Detection Systems Final Report, J. Christopher Buckingham, Terrence A. Grimley, Russell C. Burkey

United States Department of Transportation: Publications

The natural gas pipeline industry routinely checks their pipeline right-of-ways to ensure that leaks are detected. Pipeline companies use various processes to detect signs of leaking pipes, including using vehicles or low-flying aircraft. The leak detection methods range from directly sensing the gas to looking for indirect signs of leakage. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and the U.S. Department of Transportation’s Office of Pipeline Safety (OPS) have provided funding to several commercial companies and research laboratories to develop advanced remote sensor systems to provide high quality, cost-effective leak detection information. To aid in the development and availability of these …

Modeling Impacts On Populations: Fathead Minnow (Pimephales Promelas) Exposure To The Endocrine Disruptor 17Β-Trenbolone As A Case Study, David H. Miller, Gerald T. Ankley

United States Environmental Protection Agency: Publications

Evaluation of population-level impacts is critical to credible ecological risk assessments. In this study, a predictive model was developed to translate changes in fecundity of the fathead minnow (Pimephales promelas) in a short-term laboratory toxicity test to alterations in population growth rate. The model uniquely combines a Leslie population projection matrix and the logistic equation. Application of the model requires only a life table for the organism of interest, a measure of carrying capacity for the given population, and an estimation of the effect of a stressor on vital rates. The model was applied to investigate population dynamics …

Dynamic Performance Of Bridges And Vehicles Under Strong Wind, Suren Chen

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

The record of span length for flexible bridges has been broken with the development of modern materials and construction techniques. With the increase of bridge span, the dynamic response of the bridge becomes more significant under external wind action and traffic loads. The present research targets specifically on dynamic performance of bridges as well as the transportation under strong wind. The dissertation studied the coupled vibration features of bridges under strong wind. The current research proposed the modal coupling assessment technique for bridges. A closed-form spectral solution and a practical methodology are provided to predict coupled multimode vibration without actually …

Material Length Scales In Gradient-Dependent Plasticity/Damage And Size Effects: Theory And Computation, Rashid Kamel Abu Al-Rub

LSU Doctoral Dissertations

Structural materials display a strong size-dependence when deformed non-uniformly into the inelastic range: smaller is stronger. This effect has important implications for an increasing number of applications in structural failure, electronics, functional coatings, composites, micro-electro-mechanical systems (MEMS), nanostructured materials, micro/nanometer fabrication technologies, etc. The mechanical behavior of these applications cannot be characterized by classical (local) continuum theories because they incorporate no ‘material length scales’ and consequently predict no size effects. On the other hand, it is still not possible to perform quantum and atomistic simulations on realistic time and structures. It is therefore necessary to develop a scale-dependent continuum theory …

Hydrologic Variations Within Created And Natural Wetlands In Southeastern Virginia, Aaron Dyer Despres

OES Theses and Dissertations

The hydrology of wetlands, particularly how wetland soils collect, store, and redistribute water strongly affects how wetland systems function. In created wetlands, construction processes and materials influence the hydrology and consequently, the potential for successful reestablishment of target vegetation communities. During 2002–2004, the Virginia Department of Transportation constructed large mitigation wetlands on two different Quaternary aged surfaces with very similar hydrogeomorphic conditions. The Sandy Bottom Nature Park site (SBNP) located in Hampton, VA and rests on the sandy loam Tabb Formation while the Charles City Wetland site (CCW) lies on the older and clay-rich Shirley Formation. This study documents and …

Sympathetic Vibration Due To Co-Ordinated Crowd Jumping, Christopher Y. Tuan

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

In assembly structures or places where crowds may gather such as dance halls, theaters, gymnasia and stadia, the loading is almost entirely caused by human activities. Structural resonance or near resonance and the resulting vibrations causing discomfort of spectators have often been observed during a rock concert or a sporting event. Recent research efforts have focused on developing load models to quantify the dynamic loading effects induced by individuals and groups up to 40 people. The lack of coherence of motion from a large crowd, the so-called ‘‘group effect’’, has been quantified based on simulations. The simulation results and the …

Joint Application Of Artificial Neural Networks And Evolutionary Algorithms To Watershed Management, Misgana K. Muleta, John W. Nicklow

Civil and Environmental Engineering

Artificial neural networks (ANNs) have become common data driven tools for modeling complex, nonlinear problems in science and engineering. Many previous applications have relied on gradient-based search techniques, such as the back propagation (BP) algorithm, for ANN training. Such techniques, however, are highly susceptible to premature convergence to local optima and require a trial-and-error process for effective design of ANN architecture and connection weights. This paper investigates the use of evolutionary programming (EP), a robust search technique, and a hybrid EP–BP training algorithm for improved ANN design. Application results indicate that the EP–BP algorithm may limit the drawbacks of using …

Evaluation Of The Potential Benefits To Traffic Operations At A Toll Plaza With Express Etc Lanes, Eric Anthony Gordin

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The effectiveness of modifying a conventional toll plaza for implementation of an open road tolling concept with express ETC lanes was evaluated in this thesis. Speed controlled dedicated ETC lanes were replaced with express ETC lanes at the Orlando-Orange County Expressway Authority (OOCEA) University Mainline Toll Plaza. This evaluation was accomplished by utilizing collected field data and simulated scenarios using Toll Plaza SIMulation (TPSIM) software developed by the University of Central Florida. The speed controlled dedicated ETC lanes were located within toll lanes (contained within a toll plaza canopy) with widths ranging between 10 to 14 ft. These types of …