Construction
Engineering and Management
Research Project Abstracts: 2006 - 2007
Life Cycle Inventory and Impact Analysis Framework for Nonroad Construction
Vehicles and Equipment Based Upon In-Use Measurements
H.C. Frey and W.J. Rasdorf
National Science Foundation
08/03 to 08/07
This project represents the initial step toward development of a probabilistic
life cycle inventory and impact analysis framework for nonroad construction
vehicles and equipment. The objectives are to (1) characterize second-by-second
in-use emissions and energy use of nonroad construction vehicles and equipment,
including emissions of NOx, CO, hydrocarbons (HC), CO2, and particulate matter
(PM), including real time sensing and monitoring where needed to fill data
gaps; (2) develop a life cycle inventory of conventional nonroad construction
vehicles and equipment; and (3) identify and recommend methods for reducing
energy use, emissions, and impacts.
Real World Duty Cycles and Utilization for Construction Equipment in NC
H.C. Frey and W.J. Rasdorf
NC Department of Transportation
07/05 to 06/07
Construction vehicles contribute substantially to statewide emissions. Thirty-two
NC counties are partially or fully designated as non attainment under new
air quality standards for ozone. Therefore there is a need to more accurately
quantify the emissions from construction vehicles and seek opportunities to
manage or reduce emissions. The goal of this study is to assess construction
equipment types and uses, plan a field study, measure emissions and collect
data, analyze the data and develop typical cycles, and demonstrate methods
for estimating emissions for construction equipment.
Pavement Marking Performance Analysis
J.E. Hummer and W. Rasdorf
NC Department of Transportation
7/07 to 06/09
With an investment of $1 million after five years of data collection, the
NCDOT requested that NCSU develop a pavement markings research plan in order
to analyze relationships between pavement marking retroreflectivity values
and variables such as marking color, marking age, pavement surface, and AADT.
Understanding retroreflectivity performance over time is important to establishing
a pavement marking strategy that maximizes the material's service life and
minimizes the replacement of pavement markings that still have sufficient
retroreflectivity. Furthermore, this understanding will enable the NCDOT to
implement management strategies that achieve the Federal standards for minimum
pavement marking retroreflectivity.
Sign Deterioration Analysis Layout Plan
J.E. Hummer and W. Rasdorf
NC Department of Transportation
08/01/06 to 08/15/06
There is a need to better understand how the retroreflectivity of sign sheeting
degrades over time in the field so that the NCDOT can better manage their
sign assets. One way of obtaining this understanding is to establish a sign
farm. While field measurement of in-place signs affords valuable data, there
are uncontrollable factors that are faced when using only in-place signs (vandalism,
natural damage, etc.). This project established a methodology and design for
a sign farm in which a wide range of factors of interest can be fully controlled
and measured. These include sign color, type, orientation, height, etc.
Instrumentation for Measuring Concrete Lateral Pressures in Formwork
D.W. Johnston
Institute of Construction
07/05 to 06/06
Develop dual instrumentation systems for measurement of fresh concrete lateral
pressures in formwork. Evaluate performance of the systems by collection of
data of interest on construction sites.
Development of Traffic Data Input Resources for the Mechanistic-Empirical
Pavement Design Process
North Carolina Department of Transportation
Y.R. Kim, G. List, J. Stone, and W. Rasdorf
07/07 to 06/09
The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for New and Rehabilitated
Pavement Structures uses nationally based data traffic inputs and recommends
that state DOTs develop their own site-specific and regional values. NCDOT
recently completed an implementation plan for adopting the MEPDG, and two
of the critical implementation recommendations addressed new data collection
requirements for site-specific truck classification counts, truck axle load
spectra, regional average seasonal adjustment factors, and forecasting methods
for axle loads, as well as truck class volumes. This research project addresses
these NCDOT traffic data and forecasting needs for implementing the MEPDG.
Sedimentation of Pervious Concrete
M. Leming
Portland Cement Association
2006 to 2007
A one year to support Luis Mata in the study of potential problems with performance
of pervious concrete pavement systems due to sedimentation, that is, blocking
or filling voids, which can reduce storage capacity and permeability, associated
with suspended solids and "bed load" of runoff from adjacent areas.
Testing of Glulam to Steel Connection for RDU Terminal C Renovation and
Expansion
R. Nunez, D. Johnston, and E. Sumner
Western-Archer Construction
Fall 2006
Test and evaluate the performance of glue-laminated girder to steel girder
connections for the new terminal building at the Raleigh-Durham International
Airport.
Evaluation of Bond Characteristics of MMFX Steel
S. Rizkalla
MMFX Technologies Corporation
07/05 to 06/07
The high-strength steel commercially known as Micro-composite Multi-structural
formable (MMFX) steel could lead to potential savings through the use of lower
reinforcement ratios due to its higher strength. However, a critical evaluation
of the bond characteristics of MMFX steel with concrete is of paramount importance,
especially if high strength is to be utilized. The proposed research will
deeply investigate the bond behavior of MMFX steel to concrete. The first
phase of the proposed research program will include the parameters believed
to significantly affect the bond strength: concrete compressive strength,
bar size, concrete clear cover, and confinement level.
Structural Behavior of Grancrete Material
S. Rizkalla
Grancrete
01/07 to 06/08
The proposed research program is designed to examine a new type of concrete
as material for construction of buildings, bridges and special infrastructural
applications. The initial phase of the evaluation includes tests to determine
the basic material characteristics of Grancrete including compressive strength,
elastic modulus, tensile strength, creep, shrinkage, and toughness of materials.
The second phase will include examining the behavior of Grancrete mixed with
small aggregate to enhance the overall behavior as construction materials.
Based on the findings, the research will be extended to include the behavior
of Grancrete reinforced with steel reinforcements and fiber reinforced polymer
materials.
Shear Behavior of MMFX Stirrups
S. Rizkalla
MMFX Technologies Corporation
07/06 to 06/07
The objective of this test program is to determine the feasibility of using
MMFX reinforcing bars as shear reinforcement for reinforced concrete structures.
To achieve this objective, comparative tests will be conducted for shear critical
reinforced concrete beams using both conventional steel and MMFX steel reinforcements.
The experimental program consists of nine reinforced concrete beams of each
series are further divided into 3 groups of 3 beams each. Within each group,
the variable would be the amount of shear reinforcement - the minimum, the
intermediate, and the maximum amounts.
I/UCRC Center, Repair of Buildings and Bridges with Composites (RB2C)
S. Rizkalla
National Science Foundation
07/02 to 06/07
The NSF Industry/University Cooperative Research Center entitled "Repair
of Buildings and Bridges with Composites" (RB2C), is located at the Constructed
Facilities Laboratory, North Carolina State University (NCSU). The Center
is working in collaboration with the Center located at the University of Missouri-Rolla
(UMR). The Center at NCSU focuses on the needs of the construction industry
in development of new and innovative structural components as well as strengthening/repair
methods for existing structures using advanced composite materials.
Evaluation of New Generation of Adhesives for Marine Structures
S. Rizkalla
IPS Corporation
07/02 to 06/07
The project investigates the behavior and material characteristics of two
proposed adhesives designed for marine structures. The project is mainly an
experimental study at this stage. The experimental program initially consists
of lap shear test to determine the bond characteristics of two adhesives between
two surfaces; each consists of Carbon Fiber Reinforced Polymer (CFRP) and
steel surface. A specially designed insulated room has been constructed at
the Constructed Facilities Laboratory to house the instrumentations, which
were built to subject the specimens to the specified environment.
An Innovative Bridge Deck System
S. Rizkalla
Martin Marietta Composites
07/02 to 06/07
The research includes development of an innovative system for highway bridge
decks. The system is also suitable for manufacturing trailer walls using small
thicknesses. The innovative concept consists of two layers of 2-D fiber pultruded
sheets and styrofoam layers in between to provide the required thickness.
At a later stage, bundled fibers are inserted in the third direction to increase
the strength through-thickness properties of the panels. The system is a modified
process for the Z-technology used for the aerospace industry. The test program
consists of different tests to examine the material characteristics as well
as the behavior of the panel.
Construction Extension Development and Training
E.C. Weaver and R.A. Nuñez
Construction Extension Program and Institute of Construction
07/05 to 6/06
Develop and implement construction extension activities related to training
and applied research on a wide variety of topics of interest to the construction
industry. During 2005-06, workshops and seminars were attended by 2,500 participants.
Programs developed and delivered included Concrete Testing Technician Certification,
Fall Protection Safety, Confined Spaces Safety, Home Inspection, Stormwater
Design, Wood Design, Wind Design, Construction Management, Financial Management,
Construction Contracts, Estimating and Bidding, and Planning, Scheduling and
Control, among others.
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