Civil Engineering Commons^™

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Structural And Economical Impacts Of Heavy Truck Loads On Bridges, Xiang Zhou

Doctoral Dissertations

The study included in this dissertation assesses the strength, serviceability, and economic impact of overweight trucks on Louisiana bridges. Truck load configurations FHWA 3S2 and FHWA 3S3 were applied to bridge models that were originally designed for HS20-44 truck configuration to determine the effects of heavy truck loads on bridges. Behaviors of bridge components including bridge girder, deck, and diaphragm were evaluated separately.

AASHTO linear approach and finite element analysis were employed to evaluate bridge girder behaviors under the heavy truck load. Bridge models with different geometric configurations were considered. Both short term and long term effects on simple span …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Fluvial Geomorphologic And Hydrodynamic Assessment In The Tidal Portion Of The Lower Rio Grande River, Us-Mexico Borderland, Andrew Ernest, B. Bokhim, N. B. Chang, I. J. Huang

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

With fast population growth and economic development in the US-Mexico Borderland, water diversion and usages has reduced the flow substantially in the Low Rio Grande River (LRGR). Tidal portion of the LRGR has posed an environmental drought issue since 1993 and the channel clogged with the invasion of non-native plants also causes environmental problems. As a result of the intensity of these natural and manmade factors, the Rio Grande stopped flowing to the sea in February 2001. The flows were reduced to a point that they were unable to push out the sand deposited at the mouth. Geomorphologic evolution in …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

No abstract provided.

Assessment Of Driver Speeds, Compliance In Rural School Zones: Comparison Of Speed By School Level And Time Of Day, Stuart Day

All Theses

TThis study analyzed driver's speeds prior to entering school zones as well as the speeds traveling through school zones. A comparison was conducted to determine if drivers complied with school speed zones using only the standard school sign arrangement found in the Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Device. Two rural school zones in Oconee County, South Carolina were analyzed in this study as rural areas tend to have higher speeds and fewer other factors that could contribute to changes in driver behavior. In order to gather data, data collection devices known as Hi-Stars were placed in the roadway on both …

Steer It And Clear It: Effectiveness Of Quick Clearance Legislation, Amy Carol Hamlin

All Theses

Innovative incident management strategies have been sought by transportation professionals to minimize the impacts of incidents on traffic operation and safety. Some current quick clearance strategies such as 'Steer It and Clear It' legislation in South Carolina, which requires driver(s) of involved vehicle(s) in a minor incident to move vehicles promptly from the traveled roadway prior to the arrival of the first responders, can potentially reduce the duration of an incident. The research detailed in this paper endeavored to measure the benefit of the Steer It and Clear It law on a section of I-85 in South Carolina. A simulation …

Comparison Of Effectiveness Of Roadway Design Treatments For Transitioning From Rural Areas To Urban Areas Using A Driving Simulator, Candice Hein

All Theses

Traffic fatalities are a leading cause of death in the United States. Rural roads are especially hazardous as they account for 60 percent of all traffic fatalities in the United States. Three main reasons for the rural road problems are high speeds, low volumes, and reduced driver awareness. This is particularly problematic where these roads navigate through communities requiring reduced speeds. Drivers who aren't alert and are driving too fast often miss the reduced speed warning signs and often don't slow until after they have entered the community. Therefore, engineers must do something to the design of the roadway environment …

Wind Effects On Monosloped And Sawtooth Roofs, Bo Cui

All Dissertations

Wind is one of the significant forces of nature that must be considered in the design of buildings. The actual behavior of wind is influenced not only by the surface (or boundary-layer) conditions, but also by the geometry of the building. All sorts of turbulent effects occur, especially at building corners, edges, roof eaves. Some of these effects are accounted for by the wind pressure coefficient. Wind pressure coefficients used in practice have usually been obtained from experimentally by testing models of different type of structures in wind tunnels.
In this study, a series of wind tunnel tests with scale …

Effects Of Aggregates On Properties And Performance Of Mastics And Superpave Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures, Francisco Aragão

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Dissertations, Theses, and Student Research

Superpave, a set of advancements in testing devices and specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures, was limited to address the effects of aggregates. Because aggregates represent around 95% in mass of the asphalt mixtures, it is important to understand how these materials affect properties and performance of such mixtures. This research focus on how different types and contents of aggregates affect properties of mastics and asphalt mixtures, and their performance considering the viscoelastic nature of the asphalt material.

Five different types of aggregates and hydrated lime were used for sample fabrication together with two different binders. Several different tests were …

Characterization Of Recycled Aged Crm Binders, Soon-Jae Lee

All Dissertations

The incorporation of conventional reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in hot-mix asphalt (HMA) pavements has become routine in many states around the United States and many other countries all over the world. In addition, the recycling of crumb rubber modified (CRM) materials has been an area of interest since CRM was first used in asphalt paving materials over 40 years ago. Previous research on the recycling of rubberized asphalt concrete (RAC) materials have been limited and focused mainly on the mixture properties at the location of in-field paving. However, for the long-term performance characterizations, it is needed to investigate the aging …

Evaluation Of Lithium Based Deicing Chemicals For Mitigating Asr In Concrete Pavement, Senthil Soundarapandian

All Dissertations

Deicing and anti-icing chemicals such as alkali-acetate and alkali-formate based formulations are increasingly being used on airfield pavements. Among these new deicers, potassium acetate-based formulations are widely used due to their environmentally friendly nature and effectiveness in melting and undercutting ice at low temperatures. Recent research on premature deterioration of airfield pavements due to alkali-silica reaction (ASR) has indicated that alkali-acetate and alkali-formate deicers such as potassium acetate and sodium formate may have been responsible for the observed distress. In an effort to develop a deicing chemical that is benign to concrete from an ASR standpoint, a new deicing formulation …

Vehicular Emissions Models Using Mobile6.2 And Field Data, Abhishek Yerramalla

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Regression models to predict vehicular emissions for different categories of vehicles for different pollutants are presented in this thesis. Vehicular emissions are affected by numerous variables which, among others, include speed, temperature, acceleration, deceleration, driving behavior and meteorological data. Regression models are developed based on data obtained from Mobile 6.2 and on-board emissions measurements. The U.S. Department of Transportation (US DOT) conducted sensitivity analysis of Mobile6 where they evaluated different parameters used to find the emission factors, such as vehicle miles traveled, speed, humidity, etc. The sensitivity analysis investigated the overall Mobile6.2 model behavior for various conditions. In the analysis, …

Experimental And Field Monitoring Studies On Recycled Materials As Pavement Bases, Sunil Kumar Sirigiripet

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Natural aggregates derived from a variety of source rocks have been used as a road base material. But the extraction of natural aggregates resources is increasingly being constrained by urbanization, increased costs and environmental concerns. Thus, increased amounts of reclaimed materials are being used to supplement natural aggregates in road construction. Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) material is one of the important recycled materials used in the present geotechnical applications. Many agencies are constantly seeking to reap the benefits of utilizing RAP. Main advantages of utilizing RAP include the preservation of the existing profile, conservation of asphalt and aggregate resources, conservation …

The Travel Behavior Of Minority Cohorts In Texas, Gustavo A. Jimenez Vera

Civil Engineering Theses - Archive

Texas is changing dramatically; the most conservative population forecast indicates that Hispanics will account for 50% of the Texas population before 2035. Not only is the number of Hispanics on the rise in Texas, but also the foreign-born share has increased dramatically over the last 15 years. The State of Texas is now a majority minority state, and minority cohorts are expected to grow and become more than 65% of the Texas population before 2035. Transportation professionals in the State of Texas are wondering how these demographic changes will affect the transportation system. To gain an understanding of this, one …

Roadway Shallow Water Flow Modeling By Velocity Distribution, Chirakarn Sirivitmaitrie

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Manning's equation is a widely used method for determining flow discharge in a channel with unconfined gravity flow. The roughness value, n-value, is a critical factor for Manning equation to obtain the accurate amount of flow. A precise estimation of Manning "n" is difficult to obtain and varies by investigator justification and experience. Flow on a roadway is a type of open channel flow normally determined by Manning's equation. To ensure reliability and highway safety, the hydraulic geometry dimensions such as spread, depth and discharge must be accurately estimated. A Texas Department of Transportation Manning n-value research project collected data …

Simulation, Visualization And Self-Assessment Tools For Enhanced Engineering Education The Stiffness Matrix Method Module For Structural Analysis, Ahmed Ali Mohammed

Civil & Environmental Engineering Theses & Dissertations

Existing macromedia FLASH software which has extensive and exciting simulation and visualization capabilities is utilized to develop the "Stiffness Matrix Method" (SMM) module, which is one of the new topics ( offered for the first time in Spring 2007 semester) covered in a Structural Analysis I course, offered at the junior level at Old Dominion University. The developed software (under the FLASH environment), including tutorial lectures to explain all necessary theoretical backgrounds, formulas, step-by-step computerized procedures and numerical examples are presented in simple, user friendly, visualized, interactive fashion to enhance the student's learning capabilities. Through numerous graphical visualization and simulation …

Capacity Estimation Of Two-Sided Type C Weaves On Freeway, Phong Thanh Vo

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

A weaving section is a common design on major highway facilities that has been an interest to researchers for years. Weaving areas are characterized by frequent lane changes, which significantly reduce the capacity of the freeway system. The 2000 Highway Capacity Manual (HCM) defined weaving capacity as "any combination of flows that causes the density to reach the LOS E/F boundary condition of 43 pcpmpl for freeways" based on configuration, number of lanes in the weaving section, free-flow speed, length of the weave, and volume ratio (VR). However, no research has been focused on the two-sided type C weaves, which …

Dynamic Chracteristics And Stability Analysis Of Muncipal Solid Waste In Bioreactor Landfills, Mohamed Adil Haque

Civil Engineering Dissertations - Archive

Bioreactor landfills are operated to enhance refuse decomposition, gas production, and waste stabilization. The major aspect of bioreactor landfill operation is the recirculation of generated leachate back through the refuse mass. Due to the accelerated decomposition and settlement of solid waste, bioreactor landfills are gaining popularity as an alternative to the conventional landfill designed under Subtitle D regulations. However, recirculation of leachate or addition of water to accelerate the waste decomposition changes the biodegradation and geotechnical characteristics of waste mass. Our understanding of changes in engineering characteristics of solid waste with accelerated decomposition is limited. There is a need to …

Our Legacy Of Neglect: The Longfellow Bridge And The Cost Of Deferred Maintenance, David Westerling, Steve Poftak

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

The Longfellow Bridge, connecting Boston and Cambridge, is in bad shape, due not only to its age and the ravages of our weather, but also to a troubling and persistent lack of maintenance. Fixing the bridge, in effect paying the bill for our unwillingness to maintain it, is estimated to cost at least $180 million, with the potential for cost overruns reaching into the hundreds of millions. The neglect of the Longfellow Bridge is symptomatic of a problem that encompasses almost all the assets owned by the Commonwealth.

Pilot Study On Real-Time Calculation Of Arrival Type For Assessment Of Arterial Performance, Edward J. Smaglik, Darcy M. Bullock, Anuj Sharma

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

The Highway Capacity Manual uses the arrival type (AT) as a mechanism to account for the quality of traffic signal coordination in the calculation of delay at a signalized intersection. Although there is much discussion in the literature regarding the accuracy and precision of this approach, the AT parameter provides a simple mechanism for grading the performance of traffic signal coordination. This paper describes data collection limitations of current traffic signal controllers and proposes a procedure where the AT parameter can be calculated by traffic signal controllers in real time. Given that the nation received a score of 61 out …

Bs News

Building Services Engineering

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Improving Arterial Performance Measurement Using Traffic Signal System Data, Michael Wolfe, Christopher Monsere, Peter Koonce, Robert L. Bertini

Civil and Environmental Engineering Faculty Publications and Presentations

The characterization of the performance of freeways in real time and on a historical basis has been successfully achieved for many years. The ability to characterize arterial performance has been more elusive. Currently numerous applications of traffic management and traveler information systems include freeways but lack the ability to extend their operation to major arterials. This paper describes methods for quantifying arterial performance using data from signal system loop detectors. Included in the array of metrics are traffic density, total delay, predicted travel time, and signal coordination effectiveness. Methods for determining performance in these areas are adapted for use in …

Nyumba Ya Mungu Reservoir System Simulation By Using Hec-Ressim Model, Deogratias Mulungu

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

This research paper focused on estimating effective water and optimization of the NyM reservoir for storage conservation and hydropower generation. Several models were used in the study: the Rainfall-Runoff model, GFFS was used to fill in missing data, and the HEC-ResSim Model and the NWBM for reservoir system simulation and water balance respectively. The effective inflows to the NyM reservoir were determined using HEC-ResSim model and the NWBM used to check the total water loss in the system. For the reservoir system simulation, the HEC-ResSim model was used to estimate water loss through irrigation abstractions in Kikuletwa and Ruvu reaches …

Socio-Economic Impacts Of Water Scarcity In Dar Es Salaam, Tanzania, Shadrack Mwakalila

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Drought and the resulting low water levels in rivers exacerbate water scarcity conditions in Dar es Salaam city. The result is frequent water rationing in areas served with piped water, sometimes for days or weeks, and low water pressure, which leads residents to resort to other less safe and sometimes more expensive water sources. The frequent and current response to the inadequate piped water supply in Dar es Salaam has been the use of groundwater resources. There are both public and private bore-holes and wells drilling companies in Dar es Salaam.. This paper therefore, presents some socio-economic impacts of water …

Optimal Utilization Of Timber Poles As Structural Members Of Formwork, Ladislaus Lwambuka

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

Timber poles of the type “Mirunda” are commonly used in East Africa as formwork support structures for casting of reinforced concrete slabs, beams and canopies. It is also widely known that the “Mirunda” poles as structural members of formwork are massively used without any structural consideration and guidance. This common practice has resulted into wastage of natural resources and escalated construction costs. This study has attempted to establish the load bearing capacity of randomly selected “Mirunda” poles through laboratory testing. Using an existing construction site as a case study, the results have been used to establish the actual number of …

Program For The Analysis Of Plane Trusses, John Makunza

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The ‘TRAP - TRuss Analysis Program’ can assist engineers in the analysis of plane truss-type structures, as well as prove an excellent basis for understanding the “finite – element” method. The Program is completely menu-driven, with all nodes, elements, and load data entered through an input file. TRAP includes plotting for displaying the truss geometry in its original shape showing all nodes and support points. In the analysis process, firstly the structure data; e.g number of nodes, elements, materials and supports are to be defined. Secondly, element properties and support constraints have to be specified. Finally, nodal global loads are …

Preliminary Estimates Of Building Cost And The Lowest Evaluated Tender, Harriet Eliufoo

Tanzania Journal of Engineering and Technology (TJET)

The paper has investigated and established to what extent are preliminary estimates of building costs close to the lowest evaluated tender and how geographical proximity influences the variance between preliminary estimate and the lowest evaluated tender. A multiple case study constituting 43 building projects in Tanzania were statistically analysed covering a period from 1995- 1999. Findings reveal a significant variance exists between the quantity surveyor’s preliminary estimate figure and the lowest evaluated tender; and that the variance between the quantity surveyor’s figure and the bidder is small when the proposed building project is geographically closer to the quantity surveyor’s base. …

Civil And Mechanical Engineering Students Learning Mechanics In A Multidisciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Gregory Broderick, Samuel Bogan Daniels, Michael Collura, Richard Stanley

Engineering and Applied Science Education Faculty Publications

This paper describes how mechanical and civil engineering students are introduced to and develop an understanding of mechanics concepts through a sequence of integrated courses as part of a new curriculum taken during the freshman and sophomore years. The Multi- Disciplinary Engineering Foundation Spiral is a four-semester sequence of engineering courses, matched closely with the development of students’ mathematical sophistication and analytical capabilities and integrated with course work in the sciences. Students develop a conceptual understanding of engineering basics in this series of courses, which stress practical applications of these principles. Mechanics concepts are introduced in a pair of first …

A Hybrid First Year Science Course For Engineering Students – Integrating Biology With Chemistry, David Harding, Pauline Schwartz, Jean Nocito-Gobel, Agamemnon Koutsospyros

Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

Biology is playing an increasingly important role in many engineering fields. With the typical engineering program already having a high credit hour requirement, the question becomes, how to best integrate biology concepts into a packed engineering curriculum. A typical biology course is not likely to introduce the important concepts of biology to engineering students. The solution here is to develop a hybrid course that integrates chemistry and biology. In the course, Chemistry with Applications to Biosystems, the concept is to develop a course that integrally links important concepts of chemistry and biology. The course focuses on the areas of biology …