Civil Engineering Commons^™

Using Acoustic Emission To Quantify Freeze–Thaw Damage Of Mortar Saturated With Nacl Solutions, Ye Qian, Yaghoob Farnam, Jason Weiss

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Mortar samples were saturated with NaCl solutions of various concentrations and subjected to freeze– thaw cycles. Passive and active acoustic emission (AE) testing was conducted. The freezing temperature of the NaCl solutions in mortar corresponded with the sudden observation of passive AE events. The acoustic energy and damage parameter were calculated to evaluate the extent of freeze–thaw damage. The influence of the NaCl solution concentration and whether the solution freezes on freeze–thaw damage are discussed.

Physical Model And Mesoscale Simulation Of Mortar And Concrete Deformations Under Freeze–Thaw Cycles, Fuyuan Gong, Evdon Sicat, Yi Wang, Tamon Ueda, Dawei Zhang

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The degradation of concrete material under multiple freeze–thaw cycles is an important issue for structures in cold and wet regions. This paper proposed a physical and mechanical model to explain the deformation behavior observed in previous experiments, from internal pressure calculation to mesoscale simulation, and for both closed and open freeze–thaw tests. Three kinds of internal pressures are considered in this study: hydraulic pressure due to ice volume expansion, crystallization pressure, and cryosuction pressure due to liquid–ice interface. The hydraulic pressure model combines Power’s model with poromechanical theories, which can well explain the reverse phenomenon (from expansion to contraction) observed …

A Multi-Criteria Methodology For Measuring The Resilience Of Transportation Assets And Prioritizing Security Investments, Michelle S. Dojutrek, Samuel Labi, J Eric Dietz

International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction (I3R2) Conference

Transportation project prioritization uses performance measures that are related to the transportation asset, its operations, and its environment. However, in the state of practice, evaluation does not consider directly the likelihood of natural or man-made threats, the infrastructure resilience, or the consequences of the infrastructure damage in the event that the threat occurs. Thus, during the prioritization of investments, assets of low security do not receive the due attention they deserve. In defining security as the lack of risk of damage from threats due to inherent structure or functional resilience, this paper is based on the premise that the inclusion …

Motive And Conflict In The Disaster Recovery Process Of Housing Reconstruction In Sri Lanka After The 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami, Chang Yeol Choi, Riki Honda

International Institute for Infrastructure Resilience and Reconstruction (I3R2) Conference

Normative solutions for the successful recovery from large-scale disasters have been presented by various researches, but implementation requires a long process, and mechanism for the process to continue is necessary. We consider the consistency among strategies of stakeholders such as government and NGOs. These players make a decision based on not only direct motive but various complex motives and interaction with other players. This paper considers interactive decision-making as a game among stakeholders. As a case to study, we analyze housing reconstruction project in Sri Lanka after the 2004 Indian Ocean Tsunami. There was relatively abundant financial support, but the …

Concrete Carbonation And Chloride Resistance Under Initial Hot Water Curing, Guo Li, Xiaoling L. Li, Rongrong R. Wei, Jianmin M. Du, Xiaosuo S. Wu

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

Three concrete mix proportions were designed and prepared, respectively, such as fly ash concrete (abbreviated as “FAC”) with 30% fly ash replacement ratio of cement, fly ash, and slag concrete (abbreviated as “FSC”) with each of 20% fly ash and slag replacement ratio and ordinary Portland cement concrete (abbreviated as “OPC”) for the research of carbonation and chloride resistance of concrete under different initial hot water curing. Specimens with precuring were put into 20°C water tank for curing firstly until a certain compressive strength of 14 MPa reached after demolding, while specimens without precuring were put into 40, 60, and …

Field Tests And Numerical Modeling Of Vehicle Impacts On A Boulder Embedded In Compacted Fill, Lynsey Reese, Tong Qiu, Daniel Linzell, Edward O'Hare, Zoltan Rado

Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering: Faculty Publications

Landscape Vehicular Anti-Ram (LVAR) systems are a group of protective barriers, which are designed using natural materials (e.g., boulders) and have proven to both effectively protect sensitive structures against threats and be aesthetically pleasing. This paper presents two consecutive vehicular crash tests hitting the same single boulder embedded in AASHTO coarse aggregate fill. A LS-DYNA model was developed to simulate the field-scale tests, which were instrumented with high-speed cameras and pressure cells. A readily available truck model from the National Crash Analysis Center was modified and implemented in the LS-DYNA model. The boulder and surrounding soil were modeled using the …

Freeze Thaw Durability Of Internally Cured Concrete Made Using Superabsorbent Polymers, Wesley A. Jones, W. Jason Weiss

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

The use of superabsorbent polymers (SAPs) to produce internally cured concrete has been shown to be effective in reducing the potential for restrained shrinkage cracking of high performance concrete mixtures. However, not much is known regarding the freeze–thaw durability of concrete mixtures that incorporate SAPs for internal curing (IC). When SAP particles desorb (or partially desorb) the “water” (pore fluid) they contain for the purposes of IC, some believe that the void space created by these particles can provide enough empty voids to accommodate the additional volume caused by water expansion upon freezing. This paper investigates the freeze–thaw durability of …

Painted Rumble Stripes: Alternatives To Raised Pavement Markers (Rpms), Thomas M. Brennan Jr, Stuart R. Mikey, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Posters

This poster highlights research completed by the Joint Transportation Research Program (JTRP) led by Darcy Bullock, Lyles School of Civil Engineering, Purdue University, for JTRP Project SPR-3528, "Alternatives to Raised Pavement Markers (RPMs)." The poster includes photos taken at a construction site on State Road 25 located near Shadeland, Indiana. The top photo demonstrates how the center line corrected a driver when snow covered to avoid oncoming traffic. Photo was taken on US 231 near Country Road 800 in Tippecanoe County.

2013-14 Indiana Interstate Mobility Summary, Steve M. Remias, Howell Li, Darcy M. Bullock

JTRP Posters

These posters highlight the speed and mobility metrics on four of Indiana’s interstates (I-94, I-65, I-465, and I-70). The posters are part of the effort by the Indiana Department of Transportation to characterize mobility concerns on the statewide interstate system.

Co2 Sequestration In Cement-Based Materials During Mixing Process Using Carbonated Water And Gaseous Co2, Jacek Kwasny, P. A. Muhammed Basheer, Mark I. Russell, William Doherty, Kieran Owens, Neil Ward

International Conference on Durability of Concrete Structures

This paper presents selected findings from a recently completed research project, aimed at the investigation of CO₂ sequestration in cement-based materials during the early stages of hydration when the cement paste is being mixed. Portland cement pastes were carbonated during the mixing process, using both carbonated water and gaseous CO₂, and their properties were compared to the control non-carbonated mix. All mixes were prepared in a purpose-designed chamber that permitted carbonated water and gaseous CO₂ to be mixed with the cementbased materials during the mixing process, without losses of CO₂ to the external environment. Temperature …

Striping Truck Utilization Project, Jon R. Padfield, James Handy

JTRP Posters

This poster highlights research completed by the Joint Transportation Research Program (JTRP) led by Jon Padfield and James Handy, Purdue University for JTRP project SPR-3722, “Striping Truck Utilization for Crawfordsville and Greenfield District.” This poster highlights the transformation of striping trucks at both districts using Value Stream Mapping (VSM) through the Technical Assistance Program.

A Technical And Economic Appraisal Of Insulation Retrofits, Niamh O'Brien

Theses

The main aim of this literature review is to further develop the project brief and to examine what research has previously been undertaken in the field of thermal conductivity and retrofitting insulation. The basis of this project is to determine the effect of moisture in domestic cavity walls on the effectiveness of retrofitted insulation. The research began by highlighting the reasoning behind the need for insulation within domestic dwellings within Ireland and the guiding legislation in place in relation to this. Carrying on from this, the current methods used to retrofit insulation were examined, along with the types of insulation …

A Decision Making Tool For Sustainable Design In Construction, Enda Collins

Theses

This report defines sustainability and sustainable development before any research is carried out. This is necessary so that the research carried out further in the report makes sense and there is a reason for including such items in this report. The need for this project and what the project aims to achieve is also highlighted in the introduction of this report.

Sustainability is made up of three equal parts; social, economic and environmental. This report goes through each item and gives examples of each type of development. Having discussed sustainability in a broad sense the report then focuses on Legislation …

Evaluation Of Ireland’S Potential To Expand Its Hydro Electrical Power Facilities Through The Construction Of A Seawater Pumped Hydro Energy Storage Scheme, James Herley

Theses

The National Renewable Energy Action Plan for Ireland has detailed that 40% of Irelands total energy consumption from the electricity sector must come from renewable sources by 2020. In 2012 this figure was at 11.4%, it is unlikely these targets will be met by 2020. The important role that hydro power can play in achieving these targets was examined. Research into hydropower in general was carried out in order to attain an understanding of the principles and terminology used. Many traditional hydro schemes have been previously developed in Ireland. However due to increased population, there are no longer suitable locations …

Achieving ‘Net Zero Energy’ Performance Through Retrofitting Of Residential Buildings In Ireland., M. Alan Costello

Theses

A Net Zero Energy Building (nZEB) is a residential or commercial building that consumes net zero energy over a set period of time, usually taken as one year. In short, for every unit of energy the building consumes over a year, it must generate a unit of energy to maintain an overall net balance. This is achieved by reducing the operational energy usage to a very low level through energy efficient design, and then providing renewable generation technologies on site to cater for the remaining energy demand.

Energy use in all sectors of society is under scrutiny at present, largely …

Evaluation Of Long Term Effects Of Erosion Due To Groin Placement In The Northern Yucatan Peninsula, Andrew V. Mahfood

College of Graduate Studies: Theses & Dissertations

This thesis documents the results of a study conducted to evaluate the long term effects of groin placement on beach re-nourishment and beach restoration in the Yucatan peninsula. The study includes the evaluation of six control points located on Chelem beach in Yucatan, Mexico, very close to the Progreso pier. The control points were set up in an active groin field to record data on the re-nourishment project covering the Chelem beach area. These erosion control groins were constructed as part of an experimental project to see how the adopted U.S. Army Corps of Engineers guidelines, for installing groins, affected …

Responses Of Underground Structures Subjected To Blast Loading, Soufiane Nezilli

Dissertations and Theses

Terrorism against American citizens and assets is real and growing. The number and intensity of domestic and international terrorist events, along with the September 11, 2001, attacks, change the way Americans think and live. According to the Blue Ribbon Panel (BRP) on Bridge and Tunnel Security assigned by AASHTO, the US transportation system consists of 337 highway tunnels and 211 transit tunnels in 2003. The number is expected to grow in the near future. These tunnels are subjected to the threats of internal explosion, either accidental or maliciously intentional. Explosions inside transportation tunnels would result in direct casualties; and the …

Stability Analysis Of The Slope Along Us-2 Between Epoufette Bay And The Cut River Bridge, Stephanie Watts-Garcia

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Recently, water was observed flowing from a section of steep slope along US-2 near St. Ignace, Michigan in addition to soil sloughing in the area where the water is flowing from the slope. An inspection of the area also showed the presence of sinkholes. The original construction drawing for US-2 also indicated that sinkholes were present in this area prior to road construction in 1948. An investigation was conducted to determine the overall stability of the slope. The slope consists primarily of aeolian sand deposits. Laboratory testing determined the shear strength of the slope material to have a friction angle …

Model Updating And Structural Health Monitoring Of Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines Via Advanced Spinning Finite Elements And Stochastic Subspace Identification Methods, Antonio Velazquez Hernandez

Dissertations, Master's Theses and Master's Reports - Open

Wind energy has been one of the most growing sectors of the nation’s renewable energy portfolio for the past decade, and the same tendency is being projected for the upcoming years given the aggressive governmental policies for the reduction of fossil fuel dependency. Great technological expectation and outstanding commercial penetration has shown the so called Horizontal Axis Wind Turbines (HAWT) technologies. Given its great acceptance, size evolution of wind turbines over time has increased exponentially. However, safety and economical concerns have emerged as a result of the newly design tendencies for massive scale wind turbine structures presenting high slenderness ratios …

Bridge Deck Condition Assessment Using Destructive And Nondestructive Methods, Brandon Tyler Goodwin

Masters Theses

"This study investigates two bridge decks in the state of Missouri using both nondestructive and destructive testing methods. The Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) is responsible for the monitoring and maintenance of over 10,000 bridges. Currently monitoring of these bridges includes a comprehensive visual inspection. In this study, ground-coupled ground penetrating radar (GPR) is used to estimate deterioration, along with other traditional methods, including visual inspection, and core evaluation. Extracted core samples were carefully examined, and the volume of permeable pore space was determined for each core. After the initial investigation, the two bridges underwent rehabilitation using hydrodemolition as a …

Comparison Of Costs Of Personal Protective Equipment For All Workers To Avoid Costs Of Fall Accidents, Sultan Noori Al-Karawi

Masters Theses

"The construction industry is one of the most important industries in the United States. It is the biggest contributor in the growth of the U.S. economy. Despite the great achievements and prominent role for this sector in the U.S. economy, the construction industry is suffering from neglect and dereliction by related government institutions and private companies. This neglect led to formation of a negative image about the construction industry that has caused a deep impact in productivity and economic growth. One of the reasons is a high percentage of accidents that occur within the construction industry which leads to injuries …

Bond Performance Of Recycled Aggregate Concrete, Amanda Renee Steele

Masters Theses

"In recent decades, engineers have sought a more sustainable method to dispose of concrete construction and demolition waste. One solution is to crush this waste concrete into a usable gradation for new concrete mixes. This not only reduces the amount of waste entering landfills but also alleviates the burden on existing sources of quality natural concrete aggregates. The objective of this study was to determine to effect of replacing coarse natural aggregates for recycled concrete aggregates (RCA) on the bond strength between deformed mild reinforcing steel and surrounding concrete. Two different RCA replacement levels were considered, 50% and 100%, and …

Shear Behavior Of High Strength Self-Consolidating Concrete In Nu Bridge Girders, Alexander Michael Griffin

Masters Theses

"As the nation's infrastructure continues to age, advanced concrete technologies have been developed to both reduce a structure's costs and increase its life expectancy. Since the early 1990's, self-consolidating concrete (SCC) has been one of these technologies. Many, however, have been reluctant to implement SCC in highway girders due to the mixture constituents. One of these concerns is the reduced content and size of the coarse aggregate. These differences in the concrete potentially hinder SCC's mechanical properties and shear resistance. Additionally, for high strength concretes (HSC) with weaker aggregates, shear cracks tend to propagate through the coarse aggregate, reducing the …

Polyurethane Foam Infill For Fiber Reinforced Polymer (Frp) Bridge Deck Panels: An Evaluation Of Core Alternatives Using Small Scale Experimental Testing, Matthew Scott Hopkins

Masters Theses

"Fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) decking is a concept that has been explored in recent decades as one solution to the performance issues of conventional concrete bridge decking. Many sandwich panel designs made of glass reinforced polyester or vinyl ester resin have been well developed, and manufactured using filament winding, hand lay-up, and extrusion methods. The major benefits of these panels was their light weight, corrosion resistance, fatigue performance, and potential for rapid field assembly. However, high initial costs coupled with small state budgets have kept them from main stream adoption. A viable alternative, is a foam/reinforced foam core sandwich panel …

Measurements And Transient Multistep Outflow Simulation Of Soil-Water Characteristic Curve For Soils Modified With Biopolymers, Xiaoyi Zhao

Masters Theses

"In recent decades, biopolymers have shown promising applications in soil modification due to its environmental friendly nature. Most of the studies, however, focused on mechanical properties at saturated or unsaturated conditions. The study on unsaturated soil behaviors under controlled pore air and pore water pressures were limited. Soil-water characteristic curve (SWCC), relating water content with matric suction is a key property to evaluate unsaturated soils. With SWCC, other soil properties, such as hydraulic conductivity and shear strength can be estimated. In this study, SWCC of sands modified with different biopolymers were measured with both Tempe cell and Fredlund SWCC device. …

Implementing Green Roofs On Movie Theaters And Shopping Centers: Business Cases In Profitable Sustainability, Ryan J. Miller

Pomona Senior Theses

This thesis presents the business case for installing green roofs on movie theaters and shopping centers. These businesses can then derive increased profits from the environmental benefits of reduced energy use and increased stormwater retention. After presenting the basic design and benefits of a green roof, the thesis develops stand-alone business plans for a movie theater and shopping center. The author finds that green roofs are a profitable sustainability solution for the commercial enterprise.

Development Of Traffic Safety Zones And Integrating Macroscopic And Microscopic Safety Data Analytics For Novel Hot Zone Identification, Jaeyoung Lee

Electronic Theses and Dissertations

Traffic safety has been considered one of the most important issues in the transportation field. With consistent efforts of transportation engineers, Federal, State and local government officials, both fatalities and fatality rates from road traffic crashes in the United States have steadily declined from 2006 to 2011.Nevertheless, fatalities from traffic crashes slightly increased in 2012 (NHTSA, 2013). We lost 33,561 lives from road traffic crashes in the year 2012, and the road traffic crashes are still one of the leading causes of deaths, according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). In recent years, efforts to incorporate traffic …

Graphical Performance Measures For Practitioners To Triage Split Failure Trouble Calls, Richard S. Freije, Alexander M. Hainen, Amanda L. Stevens, Howell Li, W Benjamin Smith, Hayley Summers, Christopher M. Day, James R. Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Improving Intersection Behavior Through Delay-Based Left Turn Phase Initiation, Steven M. Lavrenz, Alexander M. Hainen, Amanda L. Stevens, Christopher M. Day, Howell Li, Richard Freije, W Benjamin Smith, Hayley Summers, James R. Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.

Assessing Longitudinal Arterial Performance And Traffic Signal Retiming Outcomes, Steven M. Lavrenz, Christopher M. Day, W Benjamin Smith, James R. Sturdevant, Darcy M. Bullock

Lyles School of Civil Engineering Faculty Publications

No abstract provided.