Civil Engineering Commons^™

Perpetual Pavement Analysis For The Marquette Interchange Instrumentation Project, Nicholas James Hornyak

Dissertations (1934 -)

With the emergence of the mechanistic-empirical pavement design process, development of pavements rely on the structural response and fatigue characteristics of pavement materials due to traffic loads. In the past, pavement design has been almost entirely based on empirical data. One area of interest in designing hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements is the fatigue life of the pavement, which has been shown to be dependent on the horizontal strain in the pavement.

This research is focused on measuring the structural response of a pavement located within the Marquette Interchange Project in order to analyze fatigue behavior with great detail. Virtually all …

A Visual Approach To Construction Cost Estimating, Phuwadol Samphaongoen

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Construction cost estimating is considered one of the most important and critical phases of a construction project. Preparing reliable and accurate estimates to help decision makers is the most challenging assignment that estimators face. An estimate is not only necessary for proposal preparation but also for several project management functions. Despite the importance of estimating, it has remained a very time consuming process. The most inefficient part of construction cost estimating is determination of the amount of resources needed for the construction of a project. This is also known as quantity takeoff. Quantity takeoff is a very long and error-prone …

Real-Time Health Monitoring System For Mast-Arm Sign Support Structures, Andrew David Smith

Master's Theses (2009 -)

There has been an ongoing study conducted by Marquette University and supported by the Wisconsin Highway Research Program that is seeking to understand the risk of fatigue-induced fracture in the connections of mast-arm sign support structures. This study has been brought on by recent problems encountered with the connections contained in, and the in-service performance of, several cantilevered mast-arm sign support structures. A resulting recommendation of phase one in this effort was to monitoring an in-service cantilevered mast-arm sign support structure.

The health monitoring system developed in this thesis effort includes a grouping of strain gages (full-bridge arrangements) positioned around …

Analyzing Motorists’ Responses To Temporary Signage In Highway Work Zones, Yong Bai, Kris Finger, Yue Li

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

For decades, the importance of highway work zone safety has increased considerably with the continual increase in the number of highway work zones present on highways for repairs and expansion. Rural work zones on two-lane highways are particularly hazardous and cause a significant safety concern due to the disruption of regular traffic flow. In this study, researchers determined motorists’ responses to warning signs in rural, two-lane highway work zones. The researchers divided vehicles into three classes (passenger car, truck, and semitrailer) and compared the mean change in speed of these classes based on three different sign setups: portable changeable message …

Tapping Environmental History To Recreate America’S Colonial Hydrology, Christopher L. Pastore, Mark B. Green, Daniel J. Bain, Andrea Muñoz-Hernandez, Charles J. Vörösmarty, Jennifer Arrigo, Sara Brandt, Jonathan M. Duncan, Francesca Greco, Hyojin Kim, Sanjiv Kumar, Michael Lally, Anthony J. Parolari, Brian Pellerin, Nira Salant, Adam Schlosser, Kate Zalzal

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

To properly remediate, improve, or predict how hydrological systems behave, it is vital to establish their histories. However, modern-style records, assembled from instrumental data and remote sensing platforms, hardly exist back more than a few decades. As centuries of data is preferable given multidecadal fluxes of both meteorology/climatology and demographics, building such a history requires resources traditionally considered only useful in the social sciences and humanities. In this Feature, Pastore et al. discuss how they have undertaken the synthesis of historical records and modern techniques to understand the hydrology of the Northeastern U.S. from Colonial times to modern day. Such …

Highway Work Zone Risk Factors And Their Impact On Crash Severity, Yingfeng Li, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Numerous factors may contribute to high-severity crashes in highway work zones. Identifying these factors and then alleviating their impact is a challenging task that traffic engineers and researchers have to confront. In this study, the work zone risk factors that could increase the probability of causing fatalities when severe crashes occur were examined using a comprehensive approach. The researchers first identified the significant risk factors based on a screening process that incorporates both statistical analyses and empirical research findings. They then systematically investigated these factors using logistic regression and frequency analysis techniques. The severe crashes including the fatal crashes between …

Effectiveness Of Temporary Traffic Control Measures In Highway Work Zones, Yingfeng Li, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In the United States, hundreds of people lose their lives each year and many more are injured due to vehicle crashes in the work zones. Over the years, temporary traffic control (TCC) measures have been developed and deployed in work zones. To continuously improve the safety, there is a need to identify the traffic control deficiencies in work zones by evaluating the effectiveness of existing TTC measures based on the real crash cases. In this study, researchers evaluated the effectiveness of several commonly used TTC methods using logistic regression techniques and various significance test methods including likelihood ratio test, score …

An Interactive Visual Approach To Construction Project Scheduling, Anamika Sharma

Master's Theses (2009 -)

Sound project management is an important pillar of success for a construction company. Project schedules are the primary tools for communicating the thinking and planning by the management team to all the stakeholders in a construction project. Traditional project scheduling software have become an indispensable tool for managers in various project oriented industries for tracking the schedule, the budget and resource requirements of a project as well as for preparing reports, providing on-line access to project information and communication with the members of the project team. However, these benefits are realized only after the project information is entered into the …

Comparison Of Characteristics Between Fatal And Injury Accidents In The Highway Construction Zones, Yingfeng Li, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Highway construction zone safety has been a research focus in many countries for many decades. In the United States, regardless of the research efforts devoted, highway construction zones remain a serious safety concern for government agencies, legislatures, the highway industry, and the traveling public. In this study, the fatal and injury accidents between 1992 and 2004 in Kansas highway construction zones were examined systematically and their major characteristics were compared. The results showed significant differences between fatal and injury accidents in the construction zones. The researchers found that: (1) head-on was the dominant type for fatal accidents while rear-end was …

Intelligent Painting Process Planner For Robotic Bridge Painting, Yong Bai

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Due to increased government regulations on environment, health, and safety, the cost of on-site bridge painting has quadrupled over the past several years. The construction industry faces a great challenge in how to control the increased costs of bridge painting and meet the regulations at the same time. A possible solution to address this challenge is to develop a robotic bridge painting system. The development of the robotic system can be justified by the potential improvements in safety and productivity. This paper presents the development and testing of an Intelligent Painting Process Planner. The Planner, built based on bridge feature …

Enhancing The Capability Of Rapid Bridge Replacement After Extreme Events, Yong Bai, Seong Hoon Kim, William R. Burkett

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Purpose

The potential threats of extreme events to highway bridges have received increased attention from government agencies, the engineering and construction communities, and the traveling public. These events include terrorist attacks as well as human‐induced and natural hazards such as earthquakes, explosions, fires, floods, and hurricanes. To respond to the potential threats on highway bridges, a research project was conducted to identify rapid bridge replacement processes, techniques, and needs for improvements.

Design/methodology/approach

To achieve the research objectives, a detailed case study of previous bridge replacement following an extreme event was conducted. The case study was performed using a three‐step approach. …

Rapid Bridge Replacement: Processes, Techniques, And Needs For Improvements, Yong Bai, William R. Burkett

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001 and subsequent potential threats to the United States transportation systems have presented an urgent need to develop emergency response plans in order to quickly react to the possible consequences of an extreme event. Highway bridges, as critical components of the nation’s transportation network, have received increased attention. To respond to the potential threats on highway bridges, a research project was conducted to identify rapid bridge replacement processes, techniques, and needs for improvements. To achieve the research objectives, the research team studied three cases of previous bridge replacements following extreme events. By studying these …

Rapid Bridge Replacement Under Emergency Situation: Case Study, Yong Bai, William R. Burkett, Phillip T. Nash

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and subsequent potential threats to the United States transportation systems have presented an urgent need to elevate the security of the transportation infrastructure and to develop emergency response plans to quickly react to the possible consequences of an extreme event. Highway bridges, as critical components of the nation’s transportation network, have been brought to closer attention by government agencies. A research project was conducted to identify strategies and technologies to restore the use of a damaged bridge quickly. One of the tasks associated with the research was to perform several case studies of …

Lessons Learned From An Emergency Bridge Replacement Project, Yong Bai, William R. Burkett, Phillip T. Nash

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

The terrorist attack on September 11, 2001, and subsequent potential threats to U.S. transportation systems have presented an urgent need to develop emergency response plans to quickly react to the possible consequences of extreme events. Extreme events include terrorist attack as well as man-made and natural disasters such as explosions, fires, floods, and earthquakes. The objective of this research was to identify strategies and technologies to quickly restore the use of highway bridges, a critical component of the nation’s transportation network, in case they are damaged or destroyed by extreme events. One of the tasks associated with this research was …

Public Perceptions Of The Midwest’S Pavements: Policies And Thresholds, David Kuemmel, Richard Robinson, Ronald C. Sonntag, Robert J. Griffin, James K. Giese

Marketing Faculty Research and Publications

A 5-year, pooled fund study with the Iowa, Minnesota, and Wisconsin departments of transportation assessed the public's perceptions of pavement improvement strategies and developed thresholds of satisfaction using the departments' physical indices, such as pavement ride and condition on rural, two-lane highways in the states. Approximately 3,600 drivers in the three states were involved in the three phases of the project, which included 18 focus groups, 400 statewide surveys in each state, and 2,300 targeted surveys across the three states. A multidisciplinary team from Marquette University and a mass media survey lab conducted the studies. A summary of focus group …

Quality Control Parameters For Robotic Bridge Painting, Yong Bai, Leonhard E. Bernold

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

To protect a steel bridge from corrosion, periodic painting is needed. Bridge painting operations are dangerous and hazardous to human health. A robotic bridge painting system is being developed to replace the human being. One major problem with robotic bridge painting is how to achieve the specified coating quality, which includes two aspects: (1) the coating thickness; and (2) the coating appearance. To ensure quality of the robotic bridge painting, the writers have investigated: (1) the parameters that affect the coating thickness and appearance; (2) the values of the parameters to achieve the required thickness and appearance for the robotic …

An Evaluation Of Age Effects On Driver Comprehension Of Flashing Traffic Signal Indications Using Multivariate Multiple Response Analysis Of Variance Models, Alexander Drakopoulos, Richard W. Lyles

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Objective: The objective of this experiment was to identify whether drivers comprehended traffic signals differently when turning left at signalized intersections where traffic signals were in “flashing mode” operation. Method:Multivariate multiple response analysis of variance models were used to analyze the simultaneous effects of displayed color combination, age, and geographical location on signal message interpretation. Data were gathered in a laboratory environment. Results: Left-turn and through-signal color combination had a significant effect on subject comprehension. Comprehension was found to be lowest for displays flashing red only, followed by displays flashing red on the left-turn, and yellow on the through-signal, …

Preferences For Permitted And Protected Left-Turn Signal Displays, Alexander Drakopoulos, Richard W. Lyles

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

Twenty-two different signal displays for permitted and protected left turns were evaluated from a driver comprehension perspective. The objective was to identify which alternate signal displays used to convey the same left-turn message to the driver are better comprehended and therefore recommended for use in the field. Protected displays compliant with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices were found to be better comprehended than certain noncompliant displays; however, some noncompliant permitted displays were found to outperform their compliant counterparts. Regional comprehension biases are nonexistent for the most part, regardless of display compliance with the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control …

Investigative Study Of The Italgrip System - Noise Analysis, David Kuemmel, John Jaeckel, Alex Satanovsky

Transportation Research Center: Noise & Texture Studies

The purpose of this study was to determine if Italgrip is a suitable technique to increase the safety and quality of Wisconsin roadways. The objective of this noise analysis is to identify and quantify any exterior noise impacts of the Italgrip anti-skid surface treatment on PCC pavements. Italgrip is a very thin surface treatment consisting of a two-part polymer resin placed on pavement and covered with re-worked steel slag. Although widely used in Italy, Italgrip has only been available in the United States since 1999.

This study analyzes comparative data from three types of pavement surfaces: untreated transverse tined PCC …

Knowledge‐Based Expert System For Concrete Mix Design, Yong Bai, Serji N. Amirkhanian

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research and Publications

In the United States, the American Concrete Institute method (ACI 211) is the most widely used concrete mix design. However, ACI 211 does not consider all factors regarding concrete mix design. The acceptance of a freshly mixed concrete depends on concrete quality control test results. If the results indicate that the concrete does not meet the specification, mix design adjustment must be made. Concrete mix design and adjustment are somewhat complicated and time‐consuming tasks that are performed best by experienced persons. In this project, a rule‐based expert system was developed to assist the user in concrete mix design, including the …

A Study On Concrete Roads, Joaquin H. Hernandez Barreneches

Bachelors’ Theses

There is hardly an institution in existence that is as old and as useful as the road. In fact, it is so old and we are so used to its usefulness that we seldom think of its origin or its history. We take them more or leas for granted.

A Study Of Concrete Roads, Joaquin H. Hernandez Barrenechea

Bachelors’ Theses

There is hardly an institution in existence that is as old and as useful as the road. In fact, it is so old and we are so used to its usefulness that we seldom think of its origin or its history. We take them more or lees for granted.

A Thesis Submitted To The Faculty Of Marquette University, Lester James Myers

Bachelors’ Theses

Since the commerce of a country or city determines its position in the world of finance to such a great extent, it is natural to investigate the conditions which govern the country's or city's demand for its share of this commerce, and see if the natural location, and still does not receive its share of the commerce of the country, there is a decided chance for the investigation and removal of the obstacles which are the cause of this condition.

The Design Of A Twelve Story Reinforced Concrete Warehouse, A. M. Fromherz

Bachelors’ Theses

In submitting this design I do so with the one point in view, namely, to endeavor to determine when reinforced concrete becomes impractical for design purposes.

To produce a maximum condition of loading on the lower floors I have taken up the design of a warehouse which is to carry a live and impact load of 400# per sq. ft., plus the dead load on each of the twelve floors. This condition of loading is not practical for design, but it will produce our desired conditions.

From the design it can be readily seen that the columns become excessive in …

Proposed Bridge At Harbor Entrance In The City Of Milwaukee, Edwin J. Reichert

Bachelors’ Theses

The present city administration has placed itself on record as being in favor of an outer harbor. The outer harbor project shall consist of a series of docks and wharves, which eventually will extend all along the lake front South of Wisconsin St. and as far south as the Illinois Steel Company's plant.

With the realization of the outer harbor complete, arises a problem of conveying and transferring the immense quantities of freight which shall be unloaded at this outer harbor, which problem shall eventually be answered by building a network of railway tracks on a section of the six-hundred …

Testing Of The Racine Street Highway Bridge: City Of Milwaukee, Gardner P. Allen, Ernest Gomez Arzapalo

Bachelors’ Theses

The object of this test was to determine experimentally, the live load stresses in the main members of the Racine Street Bridge, and thus to ascertain whether or not the theoretical live and dead load stresses were greater or less than the theoretical dead load plus the actual live load stresses. If less, the bridge could not be considered safe for the traffic which it now carries. The dead load stresses in the various members were determined analytically, and to these were added the respective live load stresses obtained by this test, thus obtaining the total stress in the various …

A Study On Water Works For Irrigation, Joaquin Hermenegildo Hernandez

Bachelors’ Theses

The large map set at the end of this thesis shows the boundary lines and general topography of the Hacienda de Guaname, a state owned by Don Mariano Hernandez Ceballos at the present day, situated in the high plateau of Mexico in the state of San Luis Potosi, about 75 Kilometers north of the capital of the state and to the west of the Mexican National R.R.. The extension of this property is over half a million acres but on account or the scarcity of rain fall during the Summer months, hardly any land is used for agriculture, the total …

A Thesis Presented To The President And Faculty Of Marquette University For The Degree Of Bachelor Of Science In Civil Engineering, Edmund C. Albrecht

Bachelors’ Theses

It will be assumed that the outside dimensions of the site upon which the building is to be erected are one hundred by one hundred and seventy feet. As noted before, the building is to be nineteen stories plus an attic and basement, in height, or approximately two hundred and fifty-five feet from the curb to the top of the cornice. The entire building is to be of white tile with a brick backing. There will be two entrances from the main street and one from the side street.