Transportation Engineering Commons^™

Stress Measurements On The I 65 Bridge Over The Ohio River At Louisville, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Christopher M. Oberst

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky Transportation Center personnel conducted measurements of live stresses on structural members of the I 65 (John F. Kennedy Memorial) Bridge over the Ohio River. That work was performed in conjunction with an extensive flaw evaluation of the bridge by Hazelet & Erdal Consulting Engineers.

The measurements were performed by placing strain gages on the upper chord (an H-beam) and a vertical post and transverse strut that were framed into the upper chord at PP63 on the West truss. Measurements were performed using battery-powered data logging instruments that were capable of unattended strain measurement. The units were used to monitor …

Evaluating The Design And Effectiveness Of Subsurface Drainage Layers, Bobby W. Meade, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In recent years, the subject of open-graded drainage layers, often referred to as "drainage blankets", has been utilized increasingly for pavement drainage. This study addresses the use of drainage blankets in Kentucky. Study efforts have focused on construction, performance, materials, and design considerations of drainage blankets.

Study findings are that the Number 57 gradation provides the optimum drainage and structural stability of the standard gradations evaluated. Asphalt treated aggregate provides greater stability and a better working platform than untreated aggregate. Maintenance of collector system outlets is very poor. Daylighting of drainage blankets appears to be feasible. Drainage blankets can be …

Evaluation Of Kentucky’S Policy On Tourist Information Signs, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As a result of recommendations made by the Governor's Task Force on Signage and Tourism, the Transportation Cabinet requested that an evaluation be made of Kentucky's policy on tourist information signs. Among the tasks undertaken were a review of the formula tor Parks, Historic, and Recreation Area signs, a survey of interstates and parkways to determine the extent of the constraints imposed by the limitation of one supplemental sign tor each interchange approach, and an investigation of the potential for application of Tourist Oriented Directional signs (TODS).

The opportunity tor increased tourism through improvements in signing and accessibility was evaluated. …

Summary Of Stress Evaluations Of Welded Steel Bridges On Coal-Haul Routes, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Keith J. Hogan, Christopher M. Oberst

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Stress analyses were performed on continuous girder welded steel bridges on extended weights coal-haul routes. The tests were intended to determine whether extended weight coal trucks pose fatigue problems to those bridges. Measurements were performed by strain gaging selected bridges subject to high coal transport tonnages. Stress measurements were conducted on fatigue-prone weld details or test sites where high tensile stresses were anticipated. Test sites on the bridges were instrumented with strain gages. Strains induced by routine traffic including coal trucks were monitored for periods of one to two weeks. Unattended monitoring of the variable amplitude strain data was performed …

Cost Estimating And Forecasting For Highway Work In Kentucky, James D. Stevens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There is a need for a better cost estimating and forecasting for highway work in the Commonwealth of Kentucky. KRS45.245 grants the Interim Joint Committee on Transportation oversight of the biennial highway plan, including a review of all authorized highway project phases that exceed their estimates by 15%. In recent years, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet has suffered the loss of many resources necessary to produce good cost estimated.

Estimates developed using current methods are not sufficiently accurate to preclude cost overruns in excess of 15%. During the biennium 134 overruns, totaling over $69 million, have been submitted to the Committee. …

Follow-Up Inspection Of Premature Cracking On The National Turnpike, Jefferson County, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report discusses the investigation of the premature cracking that has been occurring on the National Turnpike, Jefferson County since 1989. A report was issued in 1990, KTC-90-5. This report documents performance to date. A detailed distress survey was performed evaluating each slab throughout the project site.

The distress survey indicates that substantial pavement cracking has occurred since the last visual inspection in 1990.

An intense maintenance program is recommended.

Barge Impact Loads For The Maysville Bridge, Michael W. Whitney, Issam E. Harik, James J. Griffin, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report provides the barge equivalent static load distribution data needed to apply method II of vessel impact design for the Maysville, Kentucky bridge over the Ohio River. The information provided in this report is in accordance with the AASHTO Guide Specification and Commentary for Vessel Collision Design of Highway Bridges.

A computer program was written to process the database and calculate the probability based length, width., and capacity for each barge category. Additionally, a second computer program was written to calculate the probability based number of barges in a flotilla column and row, and subsequently categorize that flotilla based …

Construction And Interim Performance Of A Shrinkage Compensating (Class S) Bridge Deck Concrete, Michael D. Stone, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Shrinkage Compensating Concrete (Class S) is made with an expansive cement in which the expansion, if restrained, induces compressive stresses that approximately offset tensile stresses induced during drying shrinkage, thereby eliminating or significantly reducing the occurrence of shrinkage cracking in concrete. The objectives of this study were to evaluate the construction and performance of the Shrinkage Compensating Concrete (Class S) and to compare these characteristics to previous Class S concrete data and to conventional Class AA bridge deck concrete. This report summarizes the construction activities and interim performance of experimental decks and barrier walls constructed of shrinkage compensating concrete.

Development And Evaluation Of A Nfweav Simulation Model For Weaving Areas Under Non-Freeway Condition, Wen-Min Pan

Theses

The development of a microscopic digital computer simulation model representing vehicle interaction at a weaving area under non-freeway condition is presented. Weaving areas are classified into two categories: 1. Weaving caused by merging and diverging of a ramp with an arterial, 2. On/off ramps connecting an arterial with a highway. The principal characteristics of the simulation model are the following: 1) a car following and lane changing model were used to represent vehicle movements; 2) an anti-collision check algorithm was developed for all vehicle movements; 3) driver merging urgency and follower courtesy model were developed for weaving vehicles. The simulation …

Concrete Beam Design Optimization With Genetic Algorithms, Siripong Malasri, D. A. Halijan, M. L. Keough

Journal of the Arkansas Academy of Science

This paper demonstrates an application of the natural selection process to the design of structural members. Reinforced concrete beam design is used as the example to show how various chromosomes representing a design solution can be formulated. Fitter chromosomes (or better solutions) have a better chance of being selected for cross over; this in turn creates better generations. Random mutation is used to enhance the diversity of the population. The evolution progresses through several generations, and the best solution is then used in the design. The method gives reasonable results, but sometimes a local (as opposed to the global) optimized …

Kentucky Traffic Accident Facts 1994 Report, Kentucky Transportation Center, Kentucky State Police

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

KENTUCKY'S TRAFFIC ACCIDENT FACTS report for 1994 is based on accident reports submitted to the Accident Unit housed in the Kentucky State Police Information Services Branch, Records Section. As required by Kentucky Revised statutes 189.635, "every law enforcement agency whose officers investigate a vehicle accident of which a report must be made ... shall file a report of the accident...within ten days after investigation of the accident upon forms supplied by the bureau." The stated purpose of this requirement is to utilize date on traffic accidents" for such purposes as will improve the traffic safety program in the Commonwealth." Data …

Modification Of Highway Soil Subgrades, Tommy C. Hopkins, Tony L. Beckham, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Major study objectives were to develop highway pavement subgrade stabilization guidelines, examine long-term benefits of chemical stabilizers, such as cement, hydrated lime, and two byproducts from industrial processes, and to establish a subgrade stabilization program in Kentucky. In developing a program, a number of design and construction issues had to be resolved. Factors affecting subgrade behavior are examined. Changes in moisture content and CBR strengths of untreated and chemically treated subgrades at three experimental highway routes were monitored over a 7- year period. CBR strengths of the untreated subgrades decreased dramatically while moisture contents increased. CBR strengths of subgrade sections …

Alleviation Of Fuel Tax Evasion In Kentucky (Interim Report), Marjorie S. Irby, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Motor fuel tax evasion is a problem of major significance nationwide. In Kentucky, evasion of motor fuel taxes could mean an annual loss of approximately $25 million. This study was initiated to provide Kentucky officials involved with fuel tax collection with the best available information on the problem of fuel tax evasion and the best uses of all resources to alleviate the problem.

This interim report concludes the first phase of the study and provides a qualitative look at motor fuel tax evasion in Kentucky. It discusses the fuel tax process in the Commonwealth, how evasion occurs, efforts to alleviate …

Allocation Of Highway Costs And Revenues, John A. Deacon, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In recent years, costs of highway facilities have generally been considered to be the responsibility of highway users. Although the private sector has recently been called upon to assume more cost responsibility, highways are primarily financed from tax revenues and user tolls. A continuing task related to assessment of highway user fees is determination of the appropriate level of taxation for each class of highway user. Cost allocation in various forms has traditionally been a tool to achieve an equitable assignment of user responsibility. This highway cost allocation study is the sixth in a recent series begun in the early …

By-Product And Discarded Material Utilization In Highway Construction And Maintenance -- A Literature Review, David Q. Hunsucker, J. Michael Tilley

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes the findings of an extensive literature search and review conducted to determine current attitudes relative to the use of recyclable and recoverable materials in highway construction and maintenance activities. Specifically, the literature search focused upon the engineering, economic, and performance aspects of using recyclable and recoverable materials in highway construction and maintenance projects. The literature review focused on asphalt and cement concrete pavement recycling, discarded tire recycling, reuse of paint removal wastes, fly ash, glass, alternative fuels, and other miscellaneous recycled and recovered materials as related to construction and maintenance of highways. Additionally, regulatory and policy matters …

Breakaway Timber Utility Pole Installations In Kentucky, Ronald D. Hughes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the installation of ten breakaway timber utility poles in Lexington, Kentucky. Installations were made by Kentucky Utilities Company personnel and monitoring has been performed by Kentucky Transportation Center investigators. Retrofit hardware is described and locations of modified poles are detailed.

Modified poles have not been struck by vehicles during the monitoring period.

Proposal For Development Of A Resource And Commodity Highway System, John A. Deacon, David L. Allen, Joseph D. Crabtree, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman, R. Clark Graves

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In 1986, the Kentucky General Assembly established the Extended Weight Coal and Coal By-Products Haul Road System. This system includes approximately 3,200 miles of the most significant coal-haul roads in the state and permits coal trucks to carry much larger payloads than trucks with other commodities. In many ways, the extended-weight system has been very successful. Coal-transportation productivity has been substantially increased, and Kentucky coal continues to remain competitive in the marketplace. At the same time, infrastructure costs have risen substantially--to considerably greater levels than the increase in revenue produced by the requisite coal decal fees--and the extended-weight system has …

Introduction Of An Information Feedback Loop To Enhance The Urban Transportation Modeling System, Kyle B. Winslow

Theses

The Urban Transportation Modeling System (UTMS) is a methodology used to estimate urban travel demand. This demand is measured as the volume of traffic that flows through a system of streets and highways. Through the use of traffic assignment software, parts of UTMS have become automated. One of the newest automated processes is the extraction of a subarea from a larger model. This extraction process is important to the local planner because it maintains a linkage from the regional model to the local model and it allows the user to extract an already distributed trip table rather than building one …