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- Title
- Engineering Properties of Florida Concrete Mixes for Implementing the Aashto Recommended Mechanistic Empirical Rigid Pavement Design Guide.
- Creator
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Kampmann, Raphael, Ping, Wei-Chou V., Rambo-Roddenberry, Michelle, Abichou, Tarek, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is a fundamental property of Portland cement concrete (PCC). The magnitude of temperature-related pavement deformations is directly proportional to the CTE during the pavement design life. Because of its critical effect on PCC performance, it is proposed to be considered for distress and smoothness prediction by the newly developed Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG). To account for M-E PDG implementation in Florida, three typical...
Show moreThe coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) is a fundamental property of Portland cement concrete (PCC). The magnitude of temperature-related pavement deformations is directly proportional to the CTE during the pavement design life. Because of its critical effect on PCC performance, it is proposed to be considered for distress and smoothness prediction by the newly developed Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG). To account for M-E PDG implementation in Florida, three typical Florida concrete mixtures were experimentally measured for compressive strength, flexural strength, splitting tensile strength, Young's modulus, Poisson's ratio, and CTE according to AASHTO TP-60. The test results revealed that PCC's CTE rapidly increases within the first week but stabilizes after 28 days. However, to accurately analyze the mix designs using the new mechanistic-empirical concept considering all three hierarchy levels, nine different JPCP models were generated. Their PCC layer thicknesses were iteratively determined before the resultant pavement structures were evaluated based on the predicted distresses (faulting and cracking) and smoothness (IRI). It was found, that cracking is the most critical pavement performance criterion for Florida JPCP. Moreover, top-down fatigue damage was isolated to be the controlling failure mechanism because of insignificant faulting and minor smoothness reduction. Based on the thickness idealized JPCP models, a CTE sensitivity matrix was developed for adequate comparison of predicted pavement performance under interchanging CTE values. Despite wide ranging properties, clear patterns were exposed and distinctive performance envelopes arose for certain criteria. It was established that the new M-E PDG, is minimally CTE sensitive to faulting, CTE sensitive to bottom-up damage (for thin PCC layers), and extremely CTE sensitive to top-down damage, cracking, and smoothness.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2008
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-3358
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Methane Emission and Oxidation Through Landfill Covers.
- Creator
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Yuan, Lei, Abichou, Tarek, Chanton, Jeffrey, Tawfiq, Kamal, Ping, Wei-Chou V., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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This dissertation presents the work of investigating methane emission and oxidation through landfill covers. Methane as a major source of greenhouse and is being emitted from solid waste landfill at a tremendous rates. These emissions could be mitigated by methanotrophic bacteria in enriched and non-enriched soil covers. Compost biofilters were constructed to study the methane oxidation capacity of compost. The aged chipped yard waste compost was obtained from Leon County landfill (Florida,...
Show moreThis dissertation presents the work of investigating methane emission and oxidation through landfill covers. Methane as a major source of greenhouse and is being emitted from solid waste landfill at a tremendous rates. These emissions could be mitigated by methanotrophic bacteria in enriched and non-enriched soil covers. Compost biofilters were constructed to study the methane oxidation capacity of compost. The aged chipped yard waste compost was obtained from Leon County landfill (Florida, USA). A one-dimensional dynamical numerical model was developed to simulate the methane transport and oxidation through the biofilter. This model was designed to incorporate dynamic parameters and use flux bottom boundary, which is measured by a flow meter. General agreements of methane outflux and oxidations were obtained between model simulation and experimental data. Field scale control cells and biocells were evaluated in the same landfill for methane emission and oxidation. Methane oxidation in biocells was significantly higher than in control cells. When outliers were removed, methane emission from biocells was significant less than from control cells. A numerical model was developed to separate blockage of the thicker biocells cover and the biological oxidation. Results showed that the low emission from biocells is caused by blockage of soil cover underneath the compost cover as well the high oxidation capacity of this compost cover. An additional modeling investigation was conducted to evaluate how landfill final earthen cover's construction and climate conditions affect methane emission and oxidation under different boundary condition and different soil oxidation capacities. This numerical model combined a water and heat flow model (HYDRUS1D) and a gas transport and oxidation model. Simulations showed that soil covers in subhumid areas can prevent high methane emission with blockage and decent oxidation capacity. In semi-arid sites, higher emission was obtained due to the higher air filled void space of the soil. Oxidation capacities in semi-arid sites are higher than those in subhumid sites since influxes of methane are higher in semiarid sites. High pressure underneath the cover caused higher emission in all sites. Even with active gas collection system (vacuum pressure), emissions were significant in semiarid climates.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-0919
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Simulation Analysis of Truck Restricted and HOV Lanes.
- Creator
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Siuhi, Saidi, Mussa, Renatus N., Sobanjo, John O., Ping, Wei-Chou V., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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Numerous studies have reported the efficacy of high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lane restriction and truck lane restriction implemented independently but the simultaneous use of both restrictions on an urban freeway corridor raises interesting questions related to the operational and safety implications of various confluence factors. This research study analyzed the operational and safety experience of an 83-mile corridor of Interstate 95 in South Florida that has both HOV and truck lane...
Show moreNumerous studies have reported the efficacy of high occupancy vehicles (HOV) lane restriction and truck lane restriction implemented independently but the simultaneous use of both restrictions on an urban freeway corridor raises interesting questions related to the operational and safety implications of various confluence factors. This research study analyzed the operational and safety experience of an 83-mile corridor of Interstate 95 in South Florida that has both HOV and truck lane restrictions implemented individually and in combination. The results of a field-validated VISSIM simulation model emulating the current policy of restricting trucks from using the leftmost lane(s) in this corridor showed that high occupancy vehicles and automobiles gained significantly more travel time savings and speeds on the restricted lanes than on the general lanes. Also, vehicle queue lengths around critical merging and diverging areas increased significantly as the percentage of trucks increased imposing severe disruption on freeway traffic flow and vehicle backups spilling into the major intersecting arterial streets. The results indicated that during peak traffic conditions right lanes had high lane occupancy than left lanes whereas during off peak traffic conditions center lanes carried more vehicles per lane than the outermost lanes suggesting that congestion forces automobiles to use the left lanes. Furthermore, the results showed that the majority of lane changes occurred during peak traffic flow conditions—about twice that of off-peak—and appreciable speed differences existed between restricted and non-restricted lanes. The simulation results for off-peak traffic conditions did not show appreciable changes in traffic operating characteristics resulting from lane restriction strategies. Furthermore, simulation results showed that restricting trucks from using either center lane or the rightmost lane in lieu of the current policy of restricting trucks from using the leftmost lane(s) aggravate operational efficiency and safety. Based on these results, it can fairly be concluded that significant operational and safety benefits of combined implementation of HOV and truck lane restrictions on urban freeways accrue during congested traffic conditions rather than uncongested conditions when trucks are restricted from the leftmost lane(s).
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-1693
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Evaluation of Engineering Properties of Hot Mix Asphalt Concrete for the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design.
- Creator
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Xiao, Yuan, Ping, Wei-Chou V., Niu, Xufeng, Abichou, Tarek, Sobanjo, John, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a viscoelastic material and has been broadly used in pavement structures. It is important to understand the mechanism of complex behaviors of HMA mixtures in field for improving pavement mechanical performance. Aggregate gradation and asphalt binder are two key factors that influence the engineering properties of HMA. The asphalt binder plays a significant role in elastic properties of HMA and it is the essential component that determines HMA's viscous behavior. Many...
Show moreHot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is a viscoelastic material and has been broadly used in pavement structures. It is important to understand the mechanism of complex behaviors of HMA mixtures in field for improving pavement mechanical performance. Aggregate gradation and asphalt binder are two key factors that influence the engineering properties of HMA. The asphalt binder plays a significant role in elastic properties of HMA and it is the essential component that determines HMA's viscous behavior. Many research works suggest that Styrene-Butadiene-Styrene (SBS) polymer is a promising modifier to improve the asphalt binder, and hence to benefit the HMA viscoelastic properties. The specific beneficial characteristics and appropriate polymer concentration need to be identified. In addition, aggregate gradation requirements have been defined in Superpave mix design criteria. However, a potentially sound coarse mixture with the gradation curve passing below the coarse size limit may be disqualified from being used. There is a need to evaluate the Superpave gradation requirements by studying mixtures purposely designed exceeding the control limits. Moreover, the mechanical parameters adopted by AASHTO to characterize HMA properties are shifting from indirect diametral tensile (IDT) test to dynamic modulus test (DMT), because the DMT has the ability to simulate real traffic conditions and to record more viscoelastic information of HMA. Thus, the DMT and the IDT test for implementing the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide (M-E PDG) are needed to be discussed. The primary objective of this research study was to evaluate the fracture mechanics properties of HMA concrete and to study the correlation between the DMT and the IDT test for Superpave mixtures. An experimental program was performed on asphalt mixtures with various types of materials. The laboratory testing program was developed by applying a viscoelastic fracture mechanics-based framework that appeared to be capable of describing the whole mechanical properties of HMA according to past research studies. The goals for these experiments are to evaluate the effect of aggregate type, the effect of gradation adjustment to control mix designs, and the effect of SBS polymer on fracture mechanics properties of HMA mixtures. Two standard coarse mixes were selected as control levels for fracture mechanics tests: one granite mixture and one limestone mixture. Each control mix design was modified to two different gradation levels with the control asphalt binder (PG 67-22) and three SBS polymer content levels (3.0%, 4.5%, and 6.0%) with the original aggregate gradation. The experimental program for dynamic complex modulus test involved 20 Superpave asphalt concrete mixtures commonly used in Florida with a range of aggregates and mix designs. Data evaluation of the test results indicated the increase of nominal maximum size aggregate amount by 5% to 15% to the standard coarse mix designs had negligible effect on HMA fracture mechanics properties. The SBS polymer-modified asphalt binder improved the fracture mechanics behavior of asphalt mixtures comprehensively. The limestone materials hold advantages over granite materials in improving the performance of thermal cracking at low service temperatures and the rutting resistance at high service temperatures. The master curve construction and linear regression analysis indicated that the total resilient modulus increased with an increase in dynamic modulus at a specific loading frequency. The resilient modulus values were comparable with the dynamic modulus values at the loading frequency of 4 Hz. A correlation relationship was developed for predicting the dynamic modulus from existing resilient modulus values of the asphalt concrete mixture in implementing the mechanistic-empirical pavement design.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2009
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-0411
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Assessing the Financial Feasibility of Implementing Wireless Technologies for Construction Management.
- Creator
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Singletary, Matthew Ryan, AbdelRazig, Yassir, Ping, Wei-Chou V., Sobanjo, John, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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The construction industry has been one of the slowest to assimilate new technologies into its business processes. There are several barriers to technology adoption within the construction industry that have created a general low tolerance for risk and conservative attitude towards change. Wireless technologies, web-based collaboration, and mobile computing devices have agreeably high potential benefits for the construction industry; however, there is a lack of research and well-documented...
Show moreThe construction industry has been one of the slowest to assimilate new technologies into its business processes. There are several barriers to technology adoption within the construction industry that have created a general low tolerance for risk and conservative attitude towards change. Wireless technologies, web-based collaboration, and mobile computing devices have agreeably high potential benefits for the construction industry; however, there is a lack of research and well-documented projects that stand as proof of their value. An extensive review of wireless technology applications for the construction industry is presented in this thesis, along with a review of Earned Value Management (EVM) and Life Cycle Cost (LCC) analysis. A methodology is developed for applying and assessing wireless technologies for construction project control with EVM incorporated as a project control technique. Data from the Jefferson County High School construction project located in Monticello, Florida, is used to apply the methodology that was developed. The results of this application indicate that the implementation of a wireless IT investment could have reduced the total project cost.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2006
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-0337
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Correlation Between Falling Head and Double Ring Testing for a Full-Scale Infiltration Study.
- Creator
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Hayden, Audra H., Tawfiq, Kamal, Rambo-Roddenberry, Michelle, Ping, Wei-Chou V., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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Stormwater management facility design is a branch of engineering that demands a full understanding of soil and permeability and how water infiltrates into the ground. With new residential and commercial developments, holding facilities for rainwater are required. Due to the cost associated with purchasing land for holding water, the idea is to make the pond dimensions as small as possible. With this idea, the engineer will need a precise way to determine the rate at which water will...
Show moreStormwater management facility design is a branch of engineering that demands a full understanding of soil and permeability and how water infiltrates into the ground. With new residential and commercial developments, holding facilities for rainwater are required. Due to the cost associated with purchasing land for holding water, the idea is to make the pond dimensions as small as possible. With this idea, the engineer will need a precise way to determine the rate at which water will infiltrate into the soil. This research centers on determining how permeability most accurately predicts a stormwater pond's actual infiltration rate. Several estimations for permeability have been evaluated: grain-size correlations, falling head permeameters, double ring infiltrometer tests and single ring infiltrometer tests. For this research, an existing stormwater facility was chosen. At this location, the field tests were conducted and subsurface samples were taken for laboratory analysis. In addition, to measure the actual field infiltration rate, a staff gage was installed and monitored after a precipitation event. The program MODRET was utilized to determine which of the various estimations of permeability yield an infiltration that most closely resembles that of monitored existing conditions.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2010
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-4193
- Format
- Thesis
- Title
- Real-Time Construction Project Progress Tracking: A Hybrid Model for Wireless Technologies Selection, Assessment, and Implementation.
- Creator
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Ghanem, Amine, AbdelRazig, Yassir A., Brown, Jeffrey R., Sobanjo, John O., Ping, Wei-Chou V., Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University
- Abstract/Description
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A construction project is considered as a process that involves many activities and a large amount of information of various types that are related to each other. Successful project management requires controlling all aspects of a construction project: quality and quantity of work, costs, and schedules to guarantee the success of the project. So the construction project control aims to effectively obtain real-time information of activities taking place on the site. Meanwhile, paper-based...
Show moreA construction project is considered as a process that involves many activities and a large amount of information of various types that are related to each other. Successful project management requires controlling all aspects of a construction project: quality and quantity of work, costs, and schedules to guarantee the success of the project. So the construction project control aims to effectively obtain real-time information of activities taking place on the site. Meanwhile, paper-based documents of project management used are becoming ineffective and can't get quick responses to the office and project control center. Integrating promising information technologies such as radio frequency identification (RFID), mobile computing devices, and wireless technology can be extremely useful for improving the effectiveness and convenience of information flow in construction projects. The probable benefits are potentially enormous, but the barriers associated with technology adoption within the construction industry, currently outweigh this potential. This research develops a control system for construction projects. The main objectives of this research include (1) developing a framework for real time construction project tracking; (2) applying such a system that integrates RFID technology with mobile computing and wireless technology to increase the efficiency of jobsite communication and data collection; (3) designing a database system for construction activities and updates, providing real-time information and wireless communication between offices and sites, subcontractors and suppliers; (4) developing a hybrid model for wireless technologies selection, assessment and implementation; (5) applying the model on pre-engineered steel construction projects and performing life cycle cost and cost benefit analysis. This model will greatly increase productivity and efficiency, will reduce labor hours and time required for tracking.
Show less - Date Issued
- 2007
- Identifier
- FSU_migr_etd-4339
- Format
- Thesis
