Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Civil Engineering Commons™

Open Access. Powered by Scholars. Published by Universities.®

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Discipline
Institution
Keyword
Publication Year

Articles 331 - 360 of 373

Full-Text Articles in Civil Engineering

Development Of An Artificial Neural Networks Model To Estimate Delay Using Toll Plaza Transaction Data, Aparna Muppidi Jan 2005

Development Of An Artificial Neural Networks Model To Estimate Delay Using Toll Plaza Transaction Data, Aparna Muppidi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In spite of the most up-to-date investigation of the relevant techniques to analyze the traffic characteristics and traffic operations at a toll plaza, there has not been any note worthy explorations evaluating delay from toll transaction data and using Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) at a toll plaza. This thesis lays an emphasis on the application of ANN techniques to estimate the total vehicular delay according to the lane type at a toll plaza. This is done to avoid the laborious task of extracting data from the video recordings at a toll plaza. Based on the lane type a general methodology …

Go to article

Neural Network Trees And Simulation Databases: New Approaches For Signalized Intersection Crash Classification And Prediction, Piyush Nawathe Jan 2005

Neural Network Trees And Simulation Databases: New Approaches For Signalized Intersection Crash Classification And Prediction, Piyush Nawathe

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Intersection related crashes form a significant proportion of the crashes occurring on roadways. Many organizations such as the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) are considering intersection safety improvement as one of their top priority areas. This study contributes to the area of safety of signalized intersections by identifying the traffic and geometric characteristics that affect the different types of crashes. The first phase of this thesis was to classify the crashes occurring at signalized intersections into rear-end, angle, turn and sideswipe crash types based on the traffic and geometric properties of …

Go to article

Implementation Strategies For Real-Time Traffic Safety Improvements On Urban Freeways, Jeremy Harvey Dilmore Jan 2005

Implementation Strategies For Real-Time Traffic Safety Improvements On Urban Freeways, Jeremy Harvey Dilmore

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This research evaluates Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) implementation strategies to improve the safety of a freeway once a potential of a crash is detected. Among these strategies are Variable Speed Limit (VSL) and ramp metering. VSL are ITS devices that are commonly used to calm traffic in an attempt to relieve congestion and enhance throughput. With proper use, VSL can be more cost effective than adding more lanes. In addition to maximizing the capacity of a roadway, a different aspect of VSL can be realized by the potential of improving traffic safety. Through the use of multiple microscopic traffic simulations, …

Go to article

Three Dimensional Modeling Of Wekiva Springshed With Wash123d, Sandeep Paladagu Jan 2005

Three Dimensional Modeling Of Wekiva Springshed With Wash123d, Sandeep Paladagu

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis presents a three-dimensional groundwater modeling of Wekia springshed in central Florida using a numerical model, WASH123D. Springs have historically played an important role in Florida's history. The Wekiva River is a spring-fed system associated with about 19 springs connected to the Floridan aquifer. With increased urbanization and population growth in this region, there has been an increased strain on the water levels of Floridan aquifer which is a major source of potable water. Maintaining groundwater recharge to the aquifer is a key factor of the viability of the regional water supply as well as Wekiva ecosystem. Hence, the …

Go to article

Safety Issues Of Red-Light Running And Unprotected Left-Turn At Signalized Intersections, Xuedong Yan Jan 2005

Safety Issues Of Red-Light Running And Unprotected Left-Turn At Signalized Intersections, Xuedong Yan

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Crashes categorized as running red light or left turning are most likely to occur at signalized intersections and resulted in substantial severe injuries and property damages. This dissertation mainly focused on these two types of vehicle crashes and the research methodology involved several perspectives. To examine the overall characteristics of red-light running and left-turning crashes, firstly, this study applied 1999-2001 Florida traffic crash data to investigate the accident propensity of three aspects of risk factors related to traffic environments, driver characteristics, and vehicle types. A quasi-induced exposure concept and statistical techniques including classification tree model and multiple logistic regression were …

Go to article

Applying Log-Linear Models And Gis To Study The Safety Of Pedestrians And Bicyclists : A Case Study Of Orange County School Children, Sai Srinivas Chundi Jan 2005

Applying Log-Linear Models And Gis To Study The Safety Of Pedestrians And Bicyclists : A Case Study Of Orange County School Children, Sai Srinivas Chundi

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Abstract Pedestrian /bicycle safety of school children has been a growing menace that has been attracting attention from transportation professionals, school boards, media and the community all over the country. As such there has been a necessity to identify critical variables and assess their importance in pedestrian/bicycle crashes occurring in and around school zones. The current study is an endeavor in this direction. The literature review identified some studies that were conducted on school zone safety related to pedestrian/bicyclist crashes. Most of the studies pertained to crashes with all age groups. There have been few studies with emphasis only on …

Go to article

Evaluation Of Proprietary Stormwater Treatment Devices In Field And Laboratory Conditions, Saheeda Marie Romah Jan 2005

Evaluation Of Proprietary Stormwater Treatment Devices In Field And Laboratory Conditions, Saheeda Marie Romah

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Proper stormwater management acknowledges both water quantity and water quality. Historically, stormwater quantity and quality have been separately considered; runoff was routed as quickly as possible into the nearest body of water. Although this alleviates potential flooding concerns, water quality is often compromised. Common stormwater quality problems include gross pollutants, sediment, nutrients, and heavy metals. The chronic elevated presence of these pollutants is detrimental to the environment. As a result, the government has passed legislature to protect waterways. The passage of the National Pollution Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit requires that municipalities implement stormwater treatment techniques, known as Best Management …

Go to article

Finite Element Evaluation Of The Effects Of Lateral Anchorage Strips On The Behavior Of Cfrp-Strengthened Rc Beams, Jose Javier Perez Jan 2005

Finite Element Evaluation Of The Effects Of Lateral Anchorage Strips On The Behavior Of Cfrp-Strengthened Rc Beams, Jose Javier Perez

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In this thesis, a fully nonlinear finite element study of the flexural behavior of doubly reinforced concrete beams strengthened using different Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) composite strengthening configurations has been carried out. Prior to the study, a total of six beams were constructed, pre-cracked, strengthened and tested to failure under a four-point loading condition (Zhao and O'Riordan-Adjah, 2004). Then, for the purpose of this thesis work, detailed three dimensional finite element models were created not only to correlate the results obtained from the experiments, but also to predict the load capacity, failure modes and crack pattern of reinforced concrete …

Go to article

The Effect Of Tidal Inlets On Open Coast Storm Surge Hydrographs: A Case Study Of Hurricane Ivan (2004), Michael Salisbury Jan 2005

The Effect Of Tidal Inlets On Open Coast Storm Surge Hydrographs: A Case Study Of Hurricane Ivan (2004), Michael Salisbury

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Florida's Department of Transportation requires design storm tide hydrographs for coastal waters surrounding tidal inlets along the coast of Florida. These hydrographs are used as open ocean boundary conditions for local bridge scour models. At present, very little information is available on the effect that tidal inlets have on these open coast storm tide hydrographs. Furthermore, current modeling practice enforces a single design hydrograph along the open coast boundary for bridge scour models. This thesis expands on these concepts and provides a more fundamental understanding on both of these modeling areas. A numerical parameter study is undertaken to elucidate the …

Go to article

Adapting The Modified Cam Clay Constitutive Model To The Computational Analysis Of Dense Granular Soils, Jose Arvelo Jan 2005

Adapting The Modified Cam Clay Constitutive Model To The Computational Analysis Of Dense Granular Soils, Jose Arvelo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The computational constitutive Modified Cam Clay Model (MCCM) was developed at Cambridge to study the behavior of clays and has been proven to be effective. In this study, this model is extended to the case of dense sands to analyze the accuracy of the stress-strain behavior. This analysis is based on triaxial test data applied to remolded and compacted sand samples under drained conditions. The laboratory triaxial tests were performed by the Florida Department of Transportation to research the permeability effect in sandy soils compacted up to 95% of maximum unit weight at the optimum moisture content. Each soil sample …

Go to article

Structural Condition Assessment Of Prestressed Concrete Transit Guideways, Robert Zachary Shmerling Jan 2005

Structural Condition Assessment Of Prestressed Concrete Transit Guideways, Robert Zachary Shmerling

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Objective condition assessment is essential to make better decisions for safety and serviceability of existing civil infrastructure systems. This study explores the condition of an existing transit guideway system that has been in service for thirty-five years. The structural system is composed of six-span continuous prestressed concrete bridge segments. The overall transit system incorporates a number of continuous bridges which share common design details, geometries, and loading conditions. The original analysis is based on certain simplifying assumptions such as rigid behavior over supports and simplified tendon/concrete/steel plate interaction. The current objective is to conduct a representative study for a more …

Go to article

Right Turn Split: A New Design To Alleviate Weaving On Arterial Streets, Khaled Shaaban Jan 2005

Right Turn Split: A New Design To Alleviate Weaving On Arterial Streets, Khaled Shaaban

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

While weaving maneuvers occur on every type of roadway, most studies have focused on freeway maneuvers. Weaving occurring on non-freeway facilities, such as arterial streets, can cause significant operational problems. Arterial streets weaving typically occur when vehicles coming from a side street at an upstream intersection attempt to enter the main street from one side to reach access points on the opposite site at a downstream intersection by crossing one or more lanes. This dissertation investigates the type of problems occurring on arterial streets due to the weaving movements and recommends a new design to alleviate weaving on arterial streets. …

Go to article

Assessing Crash Occurrence On Urban Freeways Using Static And Dynamic Factors By Applying A System Of Interrelated Equations, Rajashekar Pemmanaboina Jan 2005

Assessing Crash Occurrence On Urban Freeways Using Static And Dynamic Factors By Applying A System Of Interrelated Equations, Rajashekar Pemmanaboina

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traffic crashes have been identified as one of the main causes of death in the US, making road safety a high priority issue that needs urgent attention. Recognizing the fact that more and effective research has to be done in this area, this thesis aims mainly at developing different statistical models related to the road safety. The thesis includes three main sections: 1) overall crash frequency analysis using negative binomial models, 2) seemingly unrelated negative binomial (SUNB) models for different categories of crashes divided based on type of crash, or condition in which they occur, 3) safety models to determine …

Go to article

Infrared Thermography And High Accuracy Gps For Automated Asphalt Crack Detection, Tarek M. Abdel-Monem Jan 2005

Infrared Thermography And High Accuracy Gps For Automated Asphalt Crack Detection, Tarek M. Abdel-Monem

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Roads are major public assets. The USA spends billions of dollars each year on road construction and maintenance. To keep these roads in a healthy condition and for better planning and allocation of maintenance budgets, knowledge of distressed locations is needed. Roads develop cracks when they are subjected to stresses that exceed their designed criteria or their materials properties. Early detection and repair of cracks has proven to be the most cost-effective strategy in limiting the damage to roads and reducing expenditures. Various methodologies of crack detection were developed and significant techniques were made in the last few years. One …

Go to article

Effects Of Bedding Void On Internal Moment Increase In Concrete Pipes, Jad Kazma Jan 2005

Effects Of Bedding Void On Internal Moment Increase In Concrete Pipes, Jad Kazma

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Large diameter concrete pipes have been used in many areas of central Florida to carry pressured sewage flow. These pipes have been typically located at six feet below finished roadway elevation, and ranges in diameter from thirty six to sixty inches. The water table is typically located at shallow depth below finished roadway elevation, and generally fluctuates between five to ten feet depending on the relative roadway elevation to mean sea level. These pipes are under pressure when carrying the sewage flow, but return to normal atmospheric pressures when the flow stops. Since the water table encases most of the …

Go to article

Evaluating Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limits To Reduce Crash Potential On Congested Freeways Using Micro-Simulation, Albinder Dhindsa Jan 2005

Evaluating Ramp Metering And Variable Speed Limits To Reduce Crash Potential On Congested Freeways Using Micro-Simulation, Albinder Dhindsa

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Recent research at UCF into defining surrogate measures for identifying crash prone conditions on freeways has led to the introduction of several statistical models which can flag such conditions with a good degree of accuracy. Outputs from these models have the potential to be used as real-time safety measures on freeways. They may also act as the basis for the evaluation of several intervention strategies that might help in the mitigation of risk of crashes. Ramp Metering and Variable Speed Limits are two approaches which have the potential of becoming effective implementation strategies for improving the safety conditions on congested …

Go to article

Effects Of The Soil Properties On The Maximum Dry Density Obtained Fro, Andres Arvelo Jan 2004

Effects Of The Soil Properties On The Maximum Dry Density Obtained Fro, Andres Arvelo

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In the construction of highways, airports, and other structures, the compaction of soils is needed to improve its strength. In 1933 Proctor developed a laboratory compaction test to determine the maximum dry density of compacted soils, which can be used for specifications of field compaction. The Compaction of soils is influenced by many factors, the most common are the moisture content, the soil type and the applied compaction energy. The objective of this research is the analysis of the maximum dry density values based on the soil classification and characterization. The method of choice in the determination of the maximum …

Go to article

Modeling Crash Frequencies At Signalized Intersections In Central Flor, Smitha Kowdla Jan 2004

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 …

Go to article

Failure Mode Identifications Of Rc Beams Externally Strengthened With, Chris O'Riordan-Adjah Jan 2004

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 …

Go to article

Slope Stability Analysis Of Class I Landfills With Co Disposal Of Bios, Mrutyunjay Vajirkar Jan 2004

Slope Stability Analysis Of Class I Landfills With Co Disposal Of Bios, Mrutyunjay Vajirkar

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Land filling provides a major, safe, and economical disposal route for biosolids and sludges. With an expanding world, the demand for larger and higher capacity landfills is rapidly increasing. Proper analysis and design on such fills have pushed the boundaries of geotechnical engineering practice, in terms of proper identification and assessment of strength and deformation characteristics of waste materials. The engineering properties of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) with co-disposal of biosolids and sludges with regards to moisture characteristics and geotechnical stability are of utmost importance. Significant changes in the composition and characteristics of landfill may take place with the addition …

Go to article

Detection And Evaluation Of Exisiting Pavement System With Brick Base, Karishma Desai Jan 2004

Detection And Evaluation Of Exisiting Pavement System With Brick Base, Karishma Desai

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

At the turn of the century, the City of Orlando initiated the "Neighborhood Horizon Program." This program involved local citizens to help improve their community resources by engaging in a process of planning where the problems associated with the communities were identified. Many residents favored to bring back the brick roads that were overlaid with asphalt concrete to provided better transportation in the mid 1900s. With majority of the neighborhood streets already bricked, removing asphalt ensured safety, served as a technique for slowing traffic, and added to the historical integrity. Since there were no official documentations available that stated the …

Go to article

Two Dimensional Linear Finite Element Analysis Of Post-Tensioned Beams, Rodolfo Hutchinson Jan 2004

Two Dimensional Linear Finite Element Analysis Of Post-Tensioned Beams, Rodolfo Hutchinson

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The objective of this research project was to create a Finite Element Routine for the Linear Analysis of Post-Tensioned beams using the program CALFEM® [20] developed at the division of Structural Mechanics in Lund University, Sweden. The program CALFEM and our own made files were written in MATLAB, an easy to learn and user-friendly computer language. The approach used in this thesis for analyzing the composite beam consists in embedding the steel tendons at the exact location where they intersect the concrete parent elements, without moving the concrete parent element nodes. The steel tendons are represented as one dimensional bar …

Go to article

Effects Of Temperature, Water Hardness, And Recirculation On Copper Corrosion, Brian R. Weiss Jan 1998

Effects Of Temperature, Water Hardness, And Recirculation On Copper Corrosion, Brian R. Weiss

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In previous work, the effects of water quality have been shown to influence the formation of scale from copper corrosion. A general understanding of the effects of water quality on copper corrosion have been difficult to obtain because of complex interactions of water quality variables on copper corrosion in different water supply systems. The objective of this study was to examine the effects of temperature and water hardness on copper corrosion occurring in a household water supply system. The effects of recirculation were also studied in concurrence with the above water quality parameters. Electrochemical corrosion testing and corrosion by -product …

Go to article

Probable Causes Of Cracking In A Series Of Reinforced Concrete Box Girder Bridges, Steven Milton Bjordahl Jan 1981

Probable Causes Of Cracking In A Series Of Reinforced Concrete Box Girder Bridges, Steven Milton Bjordahl

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

This thesis is the result of a study undertaken at the request of the South Dakota Department of Transportation (SDDOT) to determine the probable cause of a specific type of cracking that was observed in a series of reinforced concrete box girder bridges. The cracking consists of horizontal cracks through the end diaphragms of the girder and horizontal cracking over the interior bents. Typical crack patterns obtained from information supplied by the SDDOT are shown in Figure 1.

Go to article

Ozonation Of A Municipal Groundwater Supply To Reduce Iron, Manganese, And Trihalomethane Formation, Richard Alan Stoebner Jan 1980

Ozonation Of A Municipal Groundwater Supply To Reduce Iron, Manganese, And Trihalomethane Formation, Richard Alan Stoebner

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation was to determine the feasibility of using ozonation followed by filtration for removal of iron and manganese and prevention of trihalomethane formation. To avoid disruption of the treatment plant operation, pilot-scale units were used in the investigation. The filter media and filtering rates employed during the pilot studies were identical to those used at the East Water Treatment Plant.

Go to article

Bearing Capacity Of Eccentrically Loaded Surface Footings On A Sand Layer Resting On A Rough Rigid Base, Roland Dale Maynard Jan 1978

Bearing Capacity Of Eccentrically Loaded Surface Footings On A Sand Layer Resting On A Rough Rigid Base, Roland Dale Maynard

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this investigation is to present the results of some recent laboratory model testing of the ultimate load carrying capacity of eccentrically loaded strip, surface footings on sand, with a rigid base located at varying depths. It is expected that these results will. lend to a better quantatative [sic] understanding of the problems encountered in these situations.

Go to article

Ground Water Quality Variation At A Rapid Infiltration Land Treatment System Used For Tertiary Wastewater Treatment, Thomas W. Drake Jan 1978

Ground Water Quality Variation At A Rapid Infiltration Land Treatment System Used For Tertiary Wastewater Treatment, Thomas W. Drake

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Based on the need to monitor nitrates because of the 1977 modifications, as well as upon the original EPA provisions for ground water monitoring, the studies reported in this thesis were initiated. The objectives of this investigation were as follows: 1. To monitor four wells within the influence of the rapid infiltration pilot units, as well as two control wells located beyond the influence of the units, to determine any substantial changes in ground water quality, which might be attributed to the rapid infiltration pilot unit operation; 2. To specifically examine the nitrogen data collected from the perforated drains in …

Go to article

Bearing Capacity Of Surface Footings On A Sand Layer Resting On A Rigid Rough Base, Tom Walter Pfeifle Jan 1978

Bearing Capacity Of Surface Footings On A Sand Layer Resting On A Rigid Rough Base, Tom Walter Pfeifle

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The purpose of this study is to present the results of some recent laboratory model testing on the ultimate vertical load carrying capacity of rough, rectangular, surface footings which were placed on granular soil. A rigid base was located at limited depths. It is expected that these results will lend to a better quantitative understanding of the problem.

Go to article

Treatment Capabilities Of A Rapid Infiltration Pilot Unit Treating Stabilization Pond Effluent, Richard G. Seas Jan 1978

Treatment Capabilities Of A Rapid Infiltration Pilot Unit Treating Stabilization Pond Effluent, Richard G. Seas

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

In October, 1972, Congress passed PL 92-500, "Federal Water Pollution Control Act Amendments of 1972 1; which is designed to upgrade the quality of the nation's water. The act requires the formulation of effluent standards that would require use of “best practicable treatment”. The effluent standards are to require use of the "best available" technology by July 1, 1983 (1). PL 92-500 requires the Environmental Protection Agency Administrator to publish information explaining which treatment techniques may be used to meet the requirement of "best practicable treatment". Land application of wastewater has been designated as a viable alternative to traditional treatment …

Go to article

An In-Plant Waste Survey Of An Egg-Processing Plant, James R. Schultz Jan 1978

An In-Plant Waste Survey Of An Egg-Processing Plant, James R. Schultz

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

The total number of eggs produced.in the United States has increased from 40 billion in 1940 to approximately 70 billion in 196 7 (1-265). It is expected that the demand for processed eggs will increase from ten percent of the total production in the 1960's to over 30 percent in the 1970's (2-805). The increase in use of processed eggs will undoubtedly result in an increase in production wastes. To estimate the water pollution potential of egg wastes and to provide the information necessary for procurement of waste discharge permits, knowledge of the volume, strength and treatability of egg-processing wastes …

Go to article

First Prev Next Last