Civil Engineering Commons^™

Calibration Of Resistance Factors For Axial Capacity Of Driven Pile Into Missouri Soil, Mulugeta Abay Kebede

Masters Theses

"Over the past two decades the load resistance factor design (LRFD) has been accepted by the American Association for Transportation and Highway Officials (AASHTO) for the design of bridges. This approach is now gaining widespread popularity in the United States for substructure bridge design, including the design of driven pile foundations, as the states calibrate the geotechnical resistance factors for local geological conditions and practices. This study presents the geotechnical resistance factors calibrated for axially driven pile using the first-order reliability method (FORM) for the target reliability index of 2.33 and 3.0 based on 64 end-of-drives (EOD) and 22 beginning-of …

Evaluation Of Liquefaction-Induced Lateral Spreading In The Midwest, Kermit Nathanial Applegate

Masters Theses

"The Central United States is home to several seismically active regions: the Wabash Valley Seismic Zone, the South Central Illinois Seismic Zone, and the New Madrid Seismic Zone. All three of these regions are capable of inducing large ground motion throughout the Mississippi Valley and along the eastern border of Missouri. This has been supported by many paleoseismic studies conducted throughout the region, which have identified numerous instances of liquefaction phenomena. The fluvial deposition process associated with the Mississippi river valley makes it a prime location for possible liquefaction and lateral spreading effects. However, there are few studies pertaining to …

Evaluation Of Variable Speed Limits Using A Genetic Algorithm Approach To Calibrate A Vissim Model, Brian Joseph Schaefer

Masters Theses

"The variable speed limit (VSL) system has been adopted on more and more roadways across the globe as an engineering tool for controlling traffic flow, particularly during congestion situations. An important and fundamental question raised among traffic engineers is: Are the costs of installing and operating variable speed limits really justified? In order to answer this question, this thesis measures the effectiveness of the VSL system applying the VISSIM microscopic simulation model to a non-recurrent congestion situation. For the analysis, a section of interstate was modeled in VISSIM and calibrated so that the simulated results closely reproduce the observed data …

The Effectiveness Of The Natural Resource Conservation Service (Nrcs) And Huff Rainfall Distribution Methods For Use In Detention Basin Design, Todd Wayne Dablemont

Masters Theses

"This thesis focuses on the effectiveness of the NRCS and Huff rainfall distribution methods for use in detention basin design. This study required the use of HEC-HMS, hydrologic modeling software, in order to analyze the distribution methods. Three separate detention basins and their watersheds were modeled for this study. The watersheds were analyzed for both undeveloped and developed conditions. The parameters analyzed include detention basin inflow, detention basin outflow, watershed peak discharge, and detention basin storage capacity. The determination of detention basin effectiveness was based upon these parameters. The NRCS distribution method is widely used; however, many who use it …

Determining The R Values For 12 Inch Deep Z-Purlins And Girts With Through-Fastened Panels Under Suction Loading, Kaye Dee Wibbenmeyer

Masters Theses

"Designing purlins for roof systems attached to through-fastened panels has been a subject well researched in the past. The current design specification uses a simplified approach to the designing of these members where the fully braced moment capacity of such members is multiplied by a reduction factor, commonly referred to as the R-value. This value represents the point in between the fully braced and fully unbraced member behavior. However, the current AISI Specification, S100, only contains R-values for purlins and girts up to 11.5 inches in depth. Since manufacturers are now rolling sections up to 12 inches deep, two confirmatory …

A Novel Tdr-Based Coaxial Cable Sensor For Crack/Strain Sensing In Reinforced Concrete Structures, Shishuang Sun, David Pommerenke, James L. Drewniak, Genda Chen, Liang Xue, Michael A. Brower, Marina Koledintseva

Electrical and Computer Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Novel coaxial cable sensors that feature high sensitivity and high spatial resolution are developed for health monitoring of concrete structures using a time-domain reflectometry (TDR). The new sensor was designed based on the topology change of its outer conductor, which was fabricated with tightly wrapped commercial tin-plated steel spiral covered with solder. The cracks that developed within concrete structures will lead to out-of-contact of local steel spirals. This topology change results in a large impedance discontinuity that can be measured with a TDR. A simplified equivalent transmission line model and numerical full-wave simulations using finite-difference time-domain techniques were used to …

Quick Test For Durability Factor Estimation, David Newton Richardson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is considering the use of the AASHTO T 161 Durability Factor (DF) as an end-result performance specification criterion for evaluation of paving concrete. However, the test method duration can exceed 75 days before results are known. MoDOT contracted with the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) to develop a method of approximation of DF based primarily on aggregate testing that would be of a shorter duration. Nineteen different ledge samples representing 18 ledges, 10 geologic formations (nine limestone and one dolomite) were sampled by MoDOT and delivered to Missouri S&T. The ledge …

A Novel Long-Period Fiber Grating Optical Sensor For Large Strain Measurement, Genda Chen, Hai Xiao, Ying Huang, Zhi Zhou, Yinan Zhang

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Critical buildings such as hospitals and police stations must remain functional immediately following a major earthquake event. Due to earthquake effects, they often experience large strains, leading to progressive collapses. Therefore, monitoring and assessing the large strain condition of critical buildings is of paramount importance to post-earthquake responses and evacuations in earthquake-prone regions. In this study, a novel large strain sensor based on the long period fiber grating (LPFG) technology is proposed and developed. CO₂ laser induced LPFG sensors are characterized for such mechanical properties as strain sensitivity in extension and flexure, sensor stability, and measurement range. For practical …

An Integrated Damping And Strengthening Strategy For Performance-Based Seismic Design And Retrofit Of Highway Bridges, Kazi Rezaul Karim

Masters Theses

"In this study, a damping-enhanced strengthening (DES) strategy was introduced to retrofit bridge structures for multiple performance objectives. The main objectives of this study are (1) to numerically demonstrate the effectiveness of the anchoring mechanism of a constrained damping layer in the proposed DES system, and (2) to evaluate the performances of a highway bridge retrofitted with a DES retrofit technique of viscoelastic (VE) damping and carbon-fiber-reinforced-polymer (CFRP) strengthening components that are nearly independent under weak earthquakes but strongly coupled under strong earthquakes"--Abstract, page v.

Anchorage And Bond Characteristics Of Externally Bonded Frp Laminates Used For Shear Strengthening Of Rc And Pc Girders, Carlos Andres Ortega Ordonez

Masters Theses

"In the last three decades, the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials to strengthen structures externally has emerged as one of the most promising technologies in materials and structural engineering, and these materials have been gaining popularity in the civil engineering community. Externally bonded FRP sheets and laminates have been used successfully to increase flexural and shear capacity. The overall performance of the strengthened system depends heavily on the quality of the bond between the concrete and the FRP laminate. Low bond strength can cause delamination at the fiber-matrix interface and at the FRP laminate-concrete interface. As a result, …

In-Plane Behavior Of Strengthened Unreinforced Masonry Infill Walls With Alternative Wood-Fiber Fly Ash Material, Yosuke Tanizawa

Masters Theses

"This research investigates the potential for an alternative masonry product to use in masonry infill wall systems. The study also investigates the effects of an external fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) strengthening system on in-plane behavior of the alternative unreinforced masonry (URM) walls. The alternative masonry product is produced in a solid unit configuration and utilizes recycled white oak wood-fibers and an ASTM Class-C fly ash as its raw materials. The external strengthening system investigated consists of an elastomeric polyurea surface coating with and without integrated discrete chopped E-glass fibers which is directly sprayed on the URM wall surfaces. The alternative …

An Evolutionary Algorithm Approach To Actuated Signal Timing Optimization Under Lane-By-Lane Detection Condition, Eric G. Strack

Masters Theses

"Motivated by the need to reduce congestion on the nation's roadway network, this research seeks to determine when a new detection scheme at actuated signalized intersections may help. This new detection scheme is called lane-by-lane detection. It "looks" at traffic in all lanes individually to determine the traffic volume on the roadway. Specifically, the problems addressed are investigating alternate signal timings and investigating the traffic volume's effect on performance of the detection scheme. For the alternate signal timings, an Evolutionary Algorithm (EA) was employed to identify the optimal signal timing. This algorithm creates signal timings and tests them in the …

Resilient Moduli Of Granular Base Materials Using A Modified Type 5 Gradation, David Newton Richardson, S. M. Lusher

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in collaboration with the Missouri Limestone Producers Association (MLPA) was interested in determining what effect a change in the Type 5 aggregate base gradation specification would have on the resilient modulus (Mr) of said aggregate. The proposed change would lower the minimum allowable total percentage of material passing the #4 (4.75 mm mesh) sieve from 35% to 25%, and the #30 (0.600 mm mesh) sieve from 10% to 5%. The remainder of the gradation specification would remain unchanged. The rationale for this proposed change is that some aggregate producers believe the change could help …

Resilient Moduli Of Typical Missouri Soils And Unbound Granular Base Materials, David Newton Richardson, Thomas M. Petry, Yu-Ning Louis Ge, Y. P. Han, S. M. Lusher

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The objective of this project is to accurately determine the resilient moduli for common Missouri subgrade soils and unbound granular base materials in accordance with the AASHTO T 307 test method. The test results included moduli data from 27 common subgrade soils out of the 99 Missouri soil associations and from 5 unbound granular bases. These materials were tested at their optimum water content and at an elevated water content, which would normally occur as a worse case scenario during the life of a pavement. The five unbound granular base materials were tested at two different gradations (high and low …

Quick Test For Percent Of Deleterious Material, David Newton Richardson

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is considering the replacement of its deleterious materials test method (TM-71) with test methods that are more objective. MoDOT contracted with the Missouri University of Science and Technology (Missouri S&T) to develop a system of test methods. Nine quarry/ledge samples representing seven geologic formations (four limestones and three dolomites) were supplied by MoDOT. The ledge samples represented three aggregates each for use in concrete, asphalt, and granular base. Samples with controlled contamination were also tested, bringing the total to 18. The aggregates were subjected to fifteen test methods. This data, coupled with MoDOT historical …

Mechanistic-Empirical Modeling In Network-Level Pavement Management, Scott Schram, Magdy Abdelrahman

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Researchers and practitioners have long recognized the advantages of mechanistic modeling. As agencies implement the Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures [referred to as the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG)] in the local project-level pavement management system (PMS), its potential as a planning tool in network-level analyses remains unrecognized. A unique, large-scale application of MEPDG is presented. The Nebraska Department of Roads uses a decision tree that systematically screens and identifies candidates for entry into a multiyear optimization program. The process uses linear deterioration rates that have been shown to provide an R² value as …

Seismic Behavior Of Circular Reinforced Concrete Bridge Columns Under Combined Loading Including Torsion, Suriya Prakash Shanmugam

Doctoral Dissertations

"Reinforced concrete (RC) columns of skewed and curved bridges with unequal spans and column heights can be subjected to combined loading including axial, flexure, shear, and torsion loads during earthquakes. The combination of axial loads, shear force, and flexural and torsional moments can result in complex failure modes of RC bridge columns. This study carried out experimental and analytical studies to investigate the seismic performance of circular RC columns under combined loading including torsion. The main variables considered here were (i) the ratio of torsion-to-bending moment (T/M), (ii) the ratio of bending moment-to-shear (M/V) or shear span (H/D), and (iii) …

Screw Connections Subject To Tension Pull-Out And Shear Forces, Ryan M. Francka

Masters Theses

"Currently, the behavior of screw connections subject to combined tension pull-out and shear forces is not well understood. An experimental study was conducted at Missouri University of Science and Technology to better understand the relationship or interaction between these forces. The test program evaluated four parameters that may influence the behavior of pure tension and pure shear in screw connections: the thickness of the sheet not in contact with the screw head, the ultimate strength of the steel, the ductility of the steel, and the screw diameter. This investigation extends the application of the pure pull-out and pure shear equations …

Strain Sensitive Coax Cable Sensors For Monitoring Structures, Genda Chen, James L. Drewniak, Huimin Mu, David Pommerenke

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

The invention provides increased structural monitoring systems that have sensitive continuous coaxial cable sensors. A preferred embodiment sensor cable of the invention includes an inner conductor, a dielectric jacket, and an outer conductor that is configured to passively deform responsively to strain in an associated structure. The deformation can be aided by the physical structure of the dielectric jacket, the outer conductor, or a combination of both. The deformation translates strain into a measurable change in a reflection coefficient associated with the outer conductor.

Determination Of Creep Compliance And Tensile Strength Of Hot-Mix Asphalt For Wearing Courses In Missouri, David Newton Richardson, S. M. Lusher

Civil, Architectural and Environmental Engineering Faculty Research & Creative Works

Creep compliance and indirect tensile (IDT) strength of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) are the two primary inputs to the low-temperature or thermal cracking module in the new Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG) software. Creep compliance is defined as time-dependent strain per unit stress, while IDT strength is best defined as HMA strength when subjected to tension. AASHTO T 322 test protocol was used as reference for this work. However in preparation for the laboratory work performed at the Missouri University of Science and Technology many experts were consulted as to how IDT creep/strength testing and calculations are actually being performed. …

Formation And Removal Of Pesticides And Pesticide Transformation Products During Water Treatment, Evelyn F. Chamberlain

Doctoral Dissertations

"A comprehensive suite of over 60 pesticides (herbicides, insecticides, and fungicides) representing a variety of classes at environmentally relevant concentrations (low µg/L) were screened for reactivity under typical drinking water conditions and dosages. The most common oxidants/transformation agents in water treatment systems were examined for reactivity including free and combined chlorine, chlorine dioxide, permanganate, ozone, hydrogen peroxide, ultraviolet radiation, and high pH (alkaline hydrolysis). Due to the broad nature of the study, pesticide compounds were analyzed as multiple mixes broken into two groups based on analytical methods, those analyzed by GC/ECD and those by LC/MS. Combinations of reactive disinfectant/oxidant and …

Development Of A Gis-Based Seismic Hazard Screening Tool, Andrew J. Wilding

Masters Theses

"Geotechnical earthquake engineering hazards have consequences that are difficult to mitigate, especially for infrastructure systems with multiple and distributed components. In the last few decades significant progress has been made to provide more accurate and useful methods to evaluate hazards for complex systems. One of these advances involves the application of spatial analysis and geographic information systems (GIS), for not only presenting data as maps, but also providing more practical and usable solutions, such as calculating the hazard potential with spatial distribution. This thesis studies the evaluation of geotechnical earthquake engineering hazards within a GIS environment, using borehole-specific data and …

A Laboratory Study Of Struvite Precipitation For Phosphorus Removal From Concentrated Animal Feeding Operation Wastewater, Sushmita Dhakal

Masters Theses

"Struvite precipitation occurs spontaneously in many wastewater treatment facilities as a nuisance. However, struvite precipitation is now being studied as a method to concurrently treat high phosphorus wastewaters and generate a valuable product. Many factors influence the precipitation of struvite such as component -ion molar ratios, pH, aeration, solubility, solids and mixing energy. In the present work, struvite precipitation in the actual swine wastewater was studied by strategically controlling aeration, pH, and mixing"--Abstract, page iv.

Performance Of Fire-Damaged Prestressed Concrete Bridges, Wendy Leann Moore

Masters Theses

"The purpose of this experimental program was to develop and analyze the effects of fire damage on prestressed concrete bridges. Flexural strength and serviceability of the bridge were measured by inputting fire damaged data into a parametric study spreadsheet consisting of a typical 3-span continuous prestressed concrete bridge. Data was obtained by exposing two types of specimens to different levels of elevated temperatures and then cooling them at room temperature to simulate fire damage. The two specimen types were prestressing strands which were tested in tension and concrete blocks with a single prestressing strand embedded in the center, which were …

Hazards Assessment Of St. Charles County - Earthquakes And Floods, Amy Lynn Krauch

Masters Theses

"Located on the northernmost limits of the St. Louis metropolitan area, St. Charles County has been, and continues to be, one of the fastest-growing counties in the country. The county consists of several major cities featuring extensive industry, retail, and agriculture. Bounded by the Missouri River on the south and the Mississippi River on the north and east, St. Charles County is predominantly flat, low-lying terrain at great risk to periodic flooding. The county is also well within the area of influence for several local seismic zones, increasing the susceptibility to earthquake damage. Given the apparent risk to both flood …

Laboratory Analysis Of Small Strain Moduli In Compacted Silts, David M. Weidinger

Masters Theses

"Soil compaction quality control accounts for a significant portion of geotechnical practice. Often the performance of a roadway can be directly linked to the quality of the compacted subgrade. A poor subgrade can result in weak areas in the road causing excessive deflections at the surface, ultimately leading to a pot hole or uneven surface and an unpleasant ride for the travelers. Vehicles passing over a section of highway causes small strains in the founding soil. These strains accumulate over time. A better understanding of how the compacted soil responds at small strains could shed light on improving the quality …

Experimental Validation Of An Integrated Frp And Visco-Elastic Hardening, Damping, And Wave-Modulating System For Blast Resistance Enhancement Of Rc Columns, Brian Henry Wood

Masters Theses

"In today's society, terrorist attacks and accidental explosions pose a major threat to critical infrastructure. Vulnerable to blast loading, structures must be rehabilitated to ensure structural stability and protect human life. The goal of this study is to develop and validate a sandwich composite technology for column retrofitting. The new technology consists of an inner fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) sheet, an outer FRP sheet, and a visco-elastic (VE) layer sandwiched between the two FRP sheets. The inner FRP sheet is wrapped around an existing column for confinement, while the outer FRP sheet is for anchoring of the VE layer into …

Behavior Of Full-Scale Rc T-Beams Strengthened In Shear With Externally Bonded Frp Sheets, Antonio Brancaccio

Masters Theses

"Shear deficiencies in many bridges may be considered even more critical than flexural deficiencies since shear failures occur without advance warning and are more catastrophic. Deficiencies in shear can be due to insufficient shear reinforcement, use of outdated design codes, a reduction in the steel area due to corrosion, or an increase in the service load due to change of occupancy for the structure.

In recent years, many research studies have investigated the shear behavior of reinforced concrete (RC) beams strengthened with fiber-reinforced polymer (FRP) composites, however, most of them were conducted on small-scale specimens. Thus, analytical models and design …

Physical Modeling Of Railroad Ballast Using The Parallel Gradation Scaling Technique Within The Cyclical Triaxial Framework, Adam F. Sevi

Doctoral Dissertations

"Due to the difficulties involved with testing large particle granular materials such as rockfill and railroad ballast, several methods of testing scaled down model specimens have been introduced. Of these techniques, the parallel gradation model has been found to be most useful. The parallel gradation model states that a smaller grainsize distribution model granular material, of the same composition as the prototype material, can be used in triaxial testing at a scaled down grainsize, if the model materials grainsize is exactly parallel to the prototype material. Therefore, a model granular material composed of a smaller, but parallel, grainsize distribution can …

Electromagnetic Modeling Of Distributed Coaxial Cable Crack Sensors In Reinforced Concrete Members, Mei Wang

Masters Theses

"Distributed crack sensors were recently developed with coaxial cables that are composed of inner and outer conductors as well as dielectric layer in between. These sensors were designed based on the change in topology of the cable outer conductor structure under strain effects. Various tests of reinforced concrete (RC) beams and columns indicated that the newly designed sensors are 10~50 times more sensitive than commercial cables to the longitudinal elongation applied on their cable structures. The spatial resolution of the sensors is approximately 50 mm. Limited numerical simulations with the transmission line theory and the finite difference time domain model …