Research Projects and Grants

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Projects and Grants

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member

Memberships

Active: 07/01/11 - 06/30/15

Sponsored by: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Acquiring a Competitive Advantage through the Innovative Management of Indirect Construction Costs (PI transfer to NCSU)

Remainder of the project transferred from ISU. PI will elaborate

Active: 09/15/11 - 08/31/12

Sponsored by: Construction Industry Institute

Principal Investigators:
Edward J Jaselskis

Modified Power Auger for Hygienic Latrine Emptying

In this project, we will develop and test a method for emptying septic tanks, cesspits and latrines in developing countries using a gasoline powered auger that has been modified to operate as a progressive cavity pump. The modified auger/pump will be used to pump a mixture of solids and water into 55 gallon drums that can be carried to a small vehicle for transport to a treatment and disposal facility.

Active: 11/01/11 - 04/30/13

Sponsored by: Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin

The purpose of this ongoing project (1989 to present) is to monitor and evaluate the response of a six mile stretch of shoreline just south of the terminal groin constructed to protect the bridge at the north end of Pea Island. The purpose of phase one was to establish the 'historical erosion rates' for the study area since the change in dredging operations in the inlet in 1984 and before the March 1989 storm. The continuing phases of the project consist of determining position of the shoreline from air photography every two months and evaluating the response of the shoreline in the context of the historical erosion rates …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Margery F. Overton

Acousto-Optic Detection using Fiber-Bragg Gratings for the Purpose of Structural Health Monitoring:Nehemiah Mabry

The study of structural health monitoring (SHM) has become a major interest throughout the engineering community. From large civil structures to aircraft, practical applications for which to determine the residual strength or endurance of materials and components are of great interest. Non-destructive evaluation (NDE) techniques are ideal in damage modeling but existing technology has been very limited in its in-service detection capabilities. This research project will investigate optical sensors, a promising new NDE technique, which is mature enough for use in fiber reinforced polymer smart materials. …more

Active: 08/27/11 - 08/26/12

Sponsored by: National Aeronautics & Space Administration (NASA)

Principal Investigators:
Rudolf Seracino, Kara Jo Peters

Evaluation of Energy Use and Emissions of Rebuilt Passenger Railroad Locomotives

This project will include the following tasks: (1) railyard measurement of fuel use and emission rates on the rebuilt or replaced engines on each locomotive, using ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel; (2) measurement of real-world in-use ?over-the-rails? activity, fuel use, and emissions for service between Raleigh and Charlotte; and (3) evaluation of whether the rebuilt prime mover engines are compliant with applicable standards. The results of this project will enable the Rail Division to accurately assess the fuel use and emissions benefits of the engine rebuilds and replacements. These data can be used to identify priorities for further emission reductions measures, if needed, and to claim credit for the energy and environmental benefits of rail transportation. These data and information will be useful to the Rail Division as the basis for prioritizing future activity pertaining to asset management and community relations. …more

Active: 10/16/11 - 10/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey

Development of Methods to Measure Anaerobic Biodegradability Under Simulated Landfill Conditions

The objective of this research is to define and execute a modeling program that will result in a basis for projecting landfill biodegradation rates based on laboratory data, with the objective of applying for a standard specification (ASTM or otherwise) that will satisfy regulatory, legislative end commercial requirements for assurance of biodegradability.

Active: 08/01/11 - 02/28/13

Sponsored by: Plastics Environmental Council

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Utilizing Municipal Solid Waste as a Biofuel Feedstock

Although crop and timber-based biomass have traditionally been viewed as primary choices for biofuel production, recent research suggests that municipal solid waste (MSW) may overcome a number of limitations, such as limited availability and accessibility, as compared to first-generation feedstocks . North Carolinians generate more than 9.9 million tons of MSW per year according to the N.C. Dept. of Environment and Natural Resources. Roughly 60% of this mass consists of paper, plastic, and food scraps that can be converted into biofuels via gasification technologies. If all of the MSW generated in N.C. were directed towards biofuels production, this feedstock would generate 297 million gallons of biofuels (assuming a conservative conversion rate of 50 gal biofuel per ton MSW), which is roughly 5% of the State?s total fuel consumption annually . This quantity would meet half of the state?s 2017 goal to have 10% of liquid fuels come from N.C. produced biofuels. However, the concept of converting MSW into liquid biofuels is relatively new. As a result, the mechanisms and infrastructure needed to make this technology a viable industry are poorly understood. Thus, the primary objectives of this proposal are to: 1. Compare conversion of MSW into biofuels with current methods used to generate electricity/heat from MSW (e.g. landfill gas to energy, waste-to-energy). 2. Summarize MSW management and operational infrastructure and evaluate how it can be used to support needed infrastructure for the biofuels industry. 3. Develop a report that can be used to educate the public and policymakers about the biofuel production feasibility/capability using MSW as a feedstock. To achieve these objectives, the Environmental Research and Education Foundation (EREF) and its partners (NC State University, Maverick Biofuels, Waste Industries) will conduct a meta-analysis to acquire data related to: process conversion efficiencies, processing capacity, environmental metrics, energy production, waste quantity and composition, and geospatial factors (Obj. #1). This data will then be used to examine MSW management infrastructure (Obj. #2) and develop information that can serve as a basis for a plan for integrating the use of MSW as a biofuel feedstock (Obj. #3). Issues such as waste reduction initiatives, shifts in waste composition, and their effect on the suitability of MSW as a biofuel feedstock will be considered. The primary deliverable from this $93,119 project will be a report describing the study findings. The project will be completed in 16 months. The EREF?s stakeholder base represents the majority of the solid waste industry. Thus, the EREF has the ability to leverage these results to support MSW to biofuel conversion technologies in NC and beyond. …more

Active: 07/01/11 - 09/30/12

Sponsored by: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Tarek Aziz, Morton A. Barlaz, Joseph F DeCarolis

Effluent/Emissions Control Technology Studies, Source Characterizations, and Emissions Inventory Modeling and Homeland Security Research

The objective of this research is to develop a life-cycle model for the disposal of municipal solid waste in a landfill.

Active: 05/01/11 - 04/30/12

Sponsored by: Eastern Research Group, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Performance of Cracking Mitigation Strategies on Cracked Flexible Pavements

Problems with reflective cracking in asphalt concrete (AC) overlays on cracked flexible pavements have been observed for many years in North Carolina. Left untreated, such cracks can severely degrade the service life of asphalt pavements. Intrusion of water into the subgrade and/or base material quickens the deterioration process, leading to early and costly failure of the whole pavement structure. Therefore, it is in the economic interest of the state of North Carolina to investigate methods that reduce or, at the very least, retard reflective cracking in AC overlays. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/14

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Mohammed A. Gabr

MEPDG Inputs for Warm Mix Asphalts

The objectives of the proposed research project are: (1) to determine the dynamic moduli, fatigue characteristics, and rutting characteristics of WMA mixtures that are currently used in North Carolina as a function of moisture conditioning and aging levels; (2) to compare the material properties of WMA mixtures with their HMA counterparts; and (3) to develop recommendations for MEPDG input parameters for the various WMA mixtures. These objectives will be accomplished by performing dynamic modulus tests for stiffness characterization, direct tension cyclic tests for fatigue performance characterization, and triaxial repeated load permanent deformation (TRLPD) tests for rutting characterization. These tests will be performed on various WMA and HMA mixtures subjected to varying moisture conditioning and aging levels in order to address these two major sources for the different behaviors between the HMA and WMA mixtures. All the test methods and analyses will be the same as those performed under previous NCDOT projects (HWY-2003-09 Typical Dynamic Moduli for North Carolina Asphalt Concrete Mixes and HWY-2007-07 Local Calibration of the MEPDG for Flexible Pavement Design) for HMA characterization so that consistency can be ensured between the existing HMA database and the WMA database to be developed from this study. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/13

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Benjamin Underwood

Nanoindentation Investigation of Asphalt Concrete Adhesion and Viscoelasticity

Approximately 90% of paved roads in the U.S. are topped with asphalt concrete. These surfaces continue to see increased traffic, while the price of the petroleum-based bitumen binders in asphalts continues to rise. In addition, consumption of asphalt concrete has implications for environmental impact and future sustainability. Recycled asphalt concrete and warm mix technologies are two emerging technologies that may help mitigate these issues, but modeling tools are required to predict the behavior and service life of new technology in asphalt concrete. Current analytical material models for asphalt concrete are limited by a lack of experimental data characterizing its various components and composite materials. The work to be performed under the proposed FRPD grant will prove the feasibility of using nanoindentation methods to obtain this data, enabling future research to use these methods to study emerging technologies and improve modeling and prediction of asphalt concrete behavior. …more

Active: 07/01/11 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: NCSU Faculty Research & Professional Development Fund

Principal Investigators:
Christopher P Bobko

I/UCRC Supplement (membership): Center For the Integration of Composites Into Infrastructure (CICI)

Efficient infrastructure systems such as highways, bridges, buildings, pipelines, flood control systems and utilities are all necessary for a healthy economy and comfortable standard of living. The proposed Center will focus on new research concerning: ) development of constituent material combinations for optimum end products, 2) cost-effective ways to manufacture products, 3) green production, including the use of bio-fiber and resins and industrial byproducts, 4) further development and application of standard test procedures, guide-specifications, design methods and rapid, modular construction techniques in addition to continuing research started by RB2C concerning the development of innovative and sustainable structural materials and systems for infrastructure applications, renewal of existing infrastructure , load testing and assessment of constructed facilities, and structural health monitoring and prognostics. …more

Active: 04/01/11 - 03/31/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Research Study on a Potentially Cost Saving Wastewater Treatment Additive

In many rural and small communities in North Carolina, an aging and/or minimal wastewater treatment infrastructure is expected to achieve environmental standards while minimizing operational costs. Thus, any significant improvements in wastewater treatment performance that promise savings should be explored. This research aims to study the fundamental effects of a locally available product, kenaf, on the performance and microbiology of activated sludge wastewater treatment plants. Kenaf is an annual agricultural crop that is a member of the hibiscus family (Hibiscus cannabinus L.), and is related to cotton, hemp, and okra. It was introduced to North Carolina from Asia and Africa more than ten years ago, and can be processed to a powdered fiber that, when added to activated sludge mixed liquor, has been reported to: (1) improve nitrogen removal, (2) lower air requirements, (3) improve sludge settling, and (4) produce less biosolids for disposal. If substantiated, these claims could potentially lower wastewater treatment costs while supporting a local (NC)-grown crop. The proposed research will independently test the claims in laboratory-scale reactors using a combination of engineering methods, microscopic analysis, kinetics measurements, and molecular (DNA- and RNA-based) approaches. The combined methodology represents a more fundamental approach in determining the potential of kenaf, and elucidating the mechanisms by which kenaf addition works. If verified, kenaf addition to activated sludge treatment plants will provide a cost savings to small towns and may stimulate the demand for this crop. …more

Active: 02/23/11 - 02/23/12

Sponsored by: NC Rural Economic Development Center

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

Strain Limits for Concrete Filled Steel Tubes in AASHTO Seismic Provisions

The use of concrete filled steel tubes in bridge construction is common in the state of Alaska, as well as in other states and regions of the country. One reason for their use is that construction is simplified because the steel tubes serve the dual function of the foundation, i.e., piles below the ground surface, and the above-ground columns for the cap beam. The majority of past research has dealt with concrete filled steel tubes at very small scale and without internal reinforcement. In Alaska, the preferred system utilizes longitudinal reinforcement in addition to the steel tube itself. While available research has shown that the performance of concrete filled steel tubes is satisfactory, a number of important questions remain unanswered for the particular application commonly used in Alaska. The problems that will be addressed in this research project include the impact of reinforcing steel on the behavior of the pile-column, the accuracy of analysis methods for prediction of force-deformation response of the pile-column system, the impact of the ratio of tube diameter to tube thickness (D/t ratio) on the performance of the pile-column at multiple limit states, and the plastic hinge length for the below-ground hinge developed in the pile-column. These problem areas will be examined through a series of 10 large-scale tests on concrete filled pile-columns, and from the development of a finite element model capable of capturing all of the anticipated modes of failure, including local buckling of the steel tube. Two of these tests will be conducted in the environmental chamber at NC State, in an attempt to capture the effects of low temperatures (-40C) on structural behavior and performance. The research will result in design expressions relating D/t to strains at various limit states, design expressions for plastic hinge lengths for concrete filled pipes with internal reinforcing steel, and modifications to moment-curvature analysis tools, if required, to predict the force-deformation response to cyclic loading. The research findings will be summarized in a concise design manual appropriate for AKDOT use. …more

Active: 07/01/11 - 12/31/12

Sponsored by: University of Alaska Fairbanks

Principal Investigators:
Mervyn J. Kowalsky, James M. Nau

FRP for Insulated Concrete Sandwich Panels, CICI Core Project 4

The proposed research program investigates the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP), produced in Korea, to achieve the composite action of precast and possibly prestressed concrete sandwich panels. The panels could be used as load bearing and/or non-load bearing architectural panels. The panels typically consist of two outer concrete wythes and an interior foam core. The research program will focus on the shear flow capacity of the insulating materials in combined action with the Korean FRP grid proposed to achieve the composite action. The study will include several parameters believed to affect the behavior, the structural efficiency, and the thermal efficiency of the panels as described briefly in this summary of the research program. Testing of the full scale panels to study the effectiveness of the proposed system will be conducted at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology located in Goyang, Gyeonggi. The research at North Carolina State University (NCSU) will consist mainly of testing small scale panels to examine and evaluate the behavior of the proposed system as affected by several parameters believed to affect the behavior and the shear capacity. The tests are intended to follow the requirements of the criteria recently approved by the International Code Council (ICC) AC422-1010-R3 ?Acceptance Criteria for Semi-Continuous Fiber Reinforced Grid Connectors Used in Combination with Rigid Insulation in Concrete Sandwich Panel Construction.? …more

Active: 02/01/11 - 03/31/12

Sponsored by: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Assessment of Alternative Herbicides for Roots Intrusion Treatment

The objective of this study is to determine the efficacy of a proposed herbicide and how it compares to the current RootX formula.

Active: 01/01/11 - 08/31/11

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with Special Services Privileges

Membership.

Active: 07/01/11 - 06/30/13

Evaluation of Vela Systems to Increase Worker Productivity and Field Efficiency

Construction management operations have historically been paper intense processes with a low rate of productivity. These operations can also be time consuming for the operations level employees. They spend a substantial amount of time duplicating the field generated notes/information back in the office or job trailer. Transfer of information between the general contractor and their subcontractors is often confusing because directions are coming from multiple sources and often through various mediums as well. Vela Systems is a construction field management based software designed to address these issues in order to increase the effectiveness of its users. The objectives of this research project is to 1) determine what are the benefits and costs associated with using Vela software (Classic initially and then VFM) as a: mobile electronic plan library in the field (On a tablet for Skanska, an iPad for subs, and the mobile electronic plan table for subs); 2) to perform a Cost-Benefit evaluation between manual material tracking of pieces of curtainwall and door frames with the material tracking module in Vela; and 3) to determine it Vela increases project performance (whether this is through time saved/money saved for O/GC/Sub/ or increased quality. …more

Active: 06/01/11 - 12/31/11

Probabilistic Safety Assessment of Structures Using Bayesian Methods

This project focuses on probabilistic safety assessment of nuclear power plant structures using Bayesian approach. The project tasks are focused on providing mathematical formulations for the structural fragility assessment using Bayesian methods. An attempt will be made to propose an appropriate method for choosing sampling points in complex models when using Bayesian methods and on the possibility of developing an index which shows the importance of statistical evidence. The methodology will be illustrated by application to simple examples. Finally, we will provide a discussion on the merits and challenges of this approach with respect to its applicability in structural fragility assessments. …more

Active: 01/01/11 - 08/15/11

Comparison of Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicle Energy Use and Emissions for a Fuel Additive

The goal of this project is to compare the energy use and emissions of the vehicles when operated on fuel with additive compared to baseline fuel (i.e. B20). Baseline measurements will be conducted in order to ensure comparability of engine conditions without and with fuel with additive. The approach is to conduct one baseline test on each of three vehicles, including Vehicle 1, 2, and 3, each with baseline fuel (i.e. B20). Each of the three vehicles will be measured during one day of field measurements for operation on baseline fuel (i.e. B20). After a suitable break-in period for each vehicle, the same three vehicles will each be measured for one day of field measurements for baseline fuel (i.e. B20) with fuel additive. The Baseline fuel (i.e. B20) typically used OT is soy-based B20 Biodiesel. The results from the comparison tests with the fuel additive to the baseline tests will be used to assess the change in energy use and emissions attributable to the use of the additive. These changes will be estimated for selected operating modes of each vehicle and for typical duty cycles. …more

Active: 01/01/11 - 09/30/11

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with special services privileges

The proposed research program investigates the use of fiber reinforced polymer (FRP) materials, produced in Korea, to achieve the composite action of an innovative precast and possibly prestressed concrete sandwich panels. The panels could be used as load bearing panels or non-load bearing architectural panels. The panels typically consist of two outer concrete wythes and an interior foam core. The research program will focus at North Carolina State University (NCSU) on the shear flow capacity of the use of an FRP grid , produced in Korea , in combined action of the insulating materials, to achieve the composite action. The study will include several parameters believed to affect the behavior, the structural efficiency, and the thermal efficiency of the panels as described briefly in this summary of the research program. Testing of the full scale panels , to study the effectiveness of the proposed system will be conducted at the Korea Institute of Construction Technology located in Goyang, Gyeonggi. The research at NCSU will consist mainly of testing small scale panels to examine and evaluate the behavior of the proposed system as affected by several parameters believed to affect the behavior and the shear capacity. The tests are intended to follow the requirements of the criteria recently approved by the International Code Council (ICC) AC422-1010-R3 ?Acceptance Criteria for Semi-Continuous Fiber Reinforced Grid Connectors Used in Combination with Rigid Insulation in Concrete Sandwich Panel Construction.? The proposed research consists of an experimental program including small-panel tests and an analytical approach to quantify test results into practical and simple design guidelines to determine the shear flow as affected by the various parameters considered. …more

Active: 02/01/11 - 06/30/13

Sponsored by: Korea Institute of Construction Technology

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Development and Field Evaluation of Colloidal Mg(OH)2 Buffer

Increasing the pH of groundwater and aquifer material is a major challenge due to the high buffering capacity of these materials. In this project, we will develop and evaluate colloidal Mg(OH)2 buffers for increasing aquifer pH. This will include laboratory studies to evaluate transport and geochemical properties followed by field testing to evaluate performance.

Active: 06/20/11 - 06/19/14

Sponsored by: Savannah River Nuclear Solutions, LLC (formerly Washington Savannah River Company)

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Pedestrian and Bicycle Accommodations on Superstreets

A research project just completed for NCDOT by the proposers showed that the superstreets that NCDOT has installed recently across the state have served motorists wonderfully. They were shown to produce lower travel times for motorists under a variety of traffic volume conditions. They were also shown to produce great collision savings?almost 50 percent?at rural unsignalized installations compared to the conventional intersections they replaced. Because they will reduce the need for expensive widening, bypass, and interchange projects, superstreets will save the NCDOT huge amounts of money in the future. However, public reaction to superstreet proposals is lukewarm at best. Two groups that seem firmly opposed to superstreet proposals are pedestrians and bicyclists. In theory, pedestrians and bicyclists should both benefit from superstreet projects compared to conventional intersections. Crossing pedestrians should benefit because they cannot be hit unless a vehicle runs a red signal, for example. However, pedestrians typically object to a two-stage crossing of the main street, a zig-zag crossing path, the perception that main street traffic is traveling faster than normal, and a perception that the median is wider than normal. Bicyclists, who should benefit from the perfect signal progression on the main street, typically object to the greater travel distances required to make a minor street left turn or crossing maneuver. It would be a shame if the objections of pedestrians and bicyclists to superstreets?some well-grounded and some spurious?slowed installation of a device that is otherwise delivering great benefits to the motoring public. The purpose of the proposed project is to find ways to overcome the objections raised by pedestrians and bicyclists to superstreets. The project will have two specific objectives. First, the researchers will recommend changes in superstreet design and operation practices to overcome the objections. It is likely that some small, subtle, and inexpensive tweaks to current practices could help overcome most objections. Second, the researchers will develop materials that NCDOT can use to reach out to pedestrians and bicyclists during the planning and design stages for a superstreet project and show them that the project will be beneficial for them too. These materials could include presentations, videos, animations, brochures, web pages, and other forms. The researchers will use several methods to achieve objectives. The researchers will make video and other observations of existing superstreets with some pedestrian and bicycle activity, in North Carolina or elsewhere. The researchers will employ simulation to calculate the benefits from various treatment possibilities. Most importantly, the researchers will gather the opinions of pedestrians and bicyclists early and often throughout the project. This will likely include surveys and focus groups, perhaps with a panel of pedestrians and bicyclists that is consulted at many points throughout the project. The project will result in ways to address the objections of pedestrians and bicyclists to superstreets, either through better designs and operations or through better public outreach. In the end, this research effort along with previous work conducted by the team will allow all users of North Carolina roadways to enjoy additional superstreet installations that are safer, cause less delay, and save money compared to conventional roadways. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/13

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph E. Hummer, Robert S. Foyle, Christopher Michael Cunningham, Sarah O'Brien

Determining Recycled Asphalt Binder Limits Contributed by Waste Materials

As materials and construction costs continue to increase, there is a strong interest by both Agencies and Industry to develop ways to include more recyclable materials in asphalt pavements. With both cost savings and sustainability in mind, the NCDOT has increased allowances for recycled materials in hot mix asphalt (HMA) in the past few years. The two recyclable materials that receive the most use in North Carolina are recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled asphalt shingles (RAS). With respect to recycled shingles, the NCDOT has also begun allowing waste shingles from the re-roofing of buildings in HMA. In this project, NCDOT?s current specification for designing recycled HMA mixes will be compared to other agencies? specifications and/or research practices. The specific objectives of this research project will be to investigate various sources of recycled binder including Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) and Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS) to determine limits for the amount of allowable recycled material based on Performance Grade (PG) binder testing. Using the allowable amount of recyclable materials, the effects on HMA mixes will be determined through material performance. As a result, a draft specification will be developed utilizing the limits for recycled materials based on recycled binder percentages in the mix. The objectives of this research will be met by recovering the binder from the recycled materials and performing Performance Grade (PG) testing on the binders. Once this is complete, the limits for the allowable amounts of RAP, RAS and PRAS will be determined due to the binder rheology. Once the limits have been determined, Dynamic Modulus, Flow Number and Superpave Simple Shear Tests will be performed. A draft specification will be developed at the end utilizing the limits for the recycled materials based on the recycled binder percentage in the mix. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/13

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

Development of Near Real Time Performance Measurements for Closed-Loop Signal Systems (CLS) Using Historical Traffic Data from Existing Loop Detectors

The NCDOT Central Office System Timing (COST) Section is charged with developing, evaluating, and maintaining closed-loop signal system timing plans across the state. Currently, signal plan evaluation is a manpower intensive task that involves field observation and travel time runs. This approach to plan evaluation is costly and inefficient. Even when extensive field study is undertaken, the data represent a relatively small observational sample of traffic control and traffic flow conditions. Therefore there is clear motivation for developing performance evaluation methods that are cost effective and comprehensive. One promising avenue of investigation is exploitation of the signal system detector and signal timing data for generation of performance metrics. Although these signal systems include extensive vehicle detection for use in dynamic system control logic, the data have been used exclusively as inputs to dynamic control logic. A new thread of research activity has begun to explore used of signal control detection and control outputs for estimating system performance. The SMART-SIGNAL system prototype developed by researchers at the University of Minnesota for the Minnesota Department of Transportation is one such effort. As a first step in the proposed project, the project team will thoroughly investigate the research, practice, and technical report archives in the U.S. and internationally to develop a detailed picture of the current state of practice and research. Beginning with the foundation of relevant results and methodologies from previous research and development activities, the project team will devise a data collection plan to support the rigorous development of closed-loop system performance models. The accuracy and precision of these models will be assessed relative to field observed performance measurements. Recommendations will be developed for the implementation of the best performing models. When implemented, the products of the proposed research will significantly enhance the efficiency and effectiveness of COST section timing plan evaluation activities. Furthermore, the project team will provide a comparative evaluation of system travel time estimates from the proposed models with respect to INRIX arterial surveillance data. Along these lines, it is anticipated that the performance models developed will also support ongoing NCDOT efforts to deploy a comprehensive statewide mobility and reliability monitoring system and to provide timely, accurate, and useful traveler information. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/13

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Billy M. Williams, Nagui M. Rouphail

Crack Free Mass Concrete Footings on Bridges in Coastal Environments

The proposed research project will assess the problem of cracking in mass concrete in coastal structures and make recommendations about new or revised measures to prevent cracking. In particular, the research team will: - Assess the success or failure of current mitigation practices using examples from recent coastal bridge projects in North Carolina. - Develop a computer model to predict the evolution of temperature in hydrating concrete structures as a function of size, concrete mix design, and boundary conditions. The potential for cracking will be calculated by relating temperature gradients to thermal stresses, and comparing thermal stresses to the evolving strength of curing concrete. - Assess what conditions combine to result in mass concrete (susceptible to cracking) given current NCDOT standards and practices. - Evaluate modified mitigation practices (mix design, construction techniques, stay-in-place form designs). The model will be validated against field data from recent NCDOT projects or a lab test. - Develop new or modified guidelines for concrete mix designs, construction techniques, or design principles using the stay-in-place form concept that will mitigate early age cracking in mass concrete elements of NCDOT structures. With improved quality control specifications, NCDOT will have more crack-free mass concrete elements during the initial construction process. These elements will be significantly more durable than cracked concrete elements, leading to reduced maintenance costs and longer service life of new bridges in coastal environments. …more

Active: 08/16/11 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Christopher P Bobko, Rudolf Seracino

Analysis of Truck Load Weight Distribution in North Carolina

NCDOT Research Problem Statement 2403 addresses the need for basic data and analysis on the relationship between estimated axle load distributions provided by truck operators, actual axle load distributions, and the impacts of overweight ?super heavy? commercial vehicles on North Carolina bridges and highways. Trucks such as Goldhofer vehicles carry one million pound loads and may be 10 or 20 feet wide and 91 or more feet long. They may have as many as 16 lines of axles with each line having 8 to 16 tires to distribute the heavy loads to stay within NC axle load limits; otherwise overweight permits will not be issued. The State Bridge Management Unit in collaboration with the Oversize/Overweight Permit Unit and the NC Highway Patrol seek axle load verification data to substantiate the estimates provided by commercial operators. …more

Active: 07/01/11 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone, Ronald G Hughes, Mervyn J. Kowalsky

Graduate Industrial Traineeship for Shahrzad Azizzadeh

NCSU through the GIT student will provide research and analysis to SAS as set forth in this Agreement. Such research and analysis shall include, but is not limited to, research, generation, testing, and documentation of operations research software. GIT Student will provide such services for SAS' offices in Cary, North Carolina, at such times as have been mutally agreed upon by the parties.

Active: 01/10/11 - 12/23/11

Performance-Related Specifications for Asphaltic Binders Used in Preservation Surface Treatments

Abstract Pavement preservation treatments (PPTs) are effective means of improving surface quality and extending service life of pavements. They become increasingly more important tools for highway agencies as the national road network ages and deteriorates. One of the most commonly used PPTs is surface treatments of various types. The NCHRP 09-50 Request for Proposal (RFP) defines preservation surface treatments (PSTs) as: treatments that are applied to a large surface area of an existing roadway to slow future deterioration and maintain or improve its functional condition (without increasing structural capacity), such as chip seals, microsurfacing, and slurry seals. The properties of asphaltic binders used in PSTs are very important to the performance of the treatment in which they are used. However, asphaltic binders used in such treatments are often selected based on availability and other factors that are not necessarily related to the performance of the final product. Performance-related specifications (PRS) that specify quality in terms related to long-term performance will help in the selection of the proper binder for a specific application. Although such PRS have been developed for the constituents of hot-mix asphalt mixture used in pavements, PRS are not readily available for binders used in PSTs. Therefore, the NCHRP 09-50 RFP sets out the following two objectives: (1) evaluate existing binder tests and, if necessary, identify new tests that related to performance and (2) develop PRS for PSTs that provide a direct relationship between key quality characteristics of asphaltic binders and performance. The proposal describes the joint research effort among NC State University, University of Wisconsin-Madison, and Asphalt Institute to accomplish the project objectives. …more

Active: 08/01/11 - 02/01/14

Sponsored by: National Academy of Sciences

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Benjamin Underwood

Global Perspectives on Project, Program and Portfolio Management in Government

The application and performance of project, program, and portfolio management in government is historically poor as reported by United States Government Accountability Office, United Kingdom?s National Audit Office, Australian National Audit Office, and others. The goal of this research is to propose a strategic roadmap for successful implementation of project, program, and portfolio management in government. This research will analyze the performance of past and on-going government projects by identifying factors of success/failure of government projects and programs. The key lessons learned of managing government projects will be captured and classified into a comprehensive database of worldwide government projects and programs that can be used for both practitioners and academics. The primary data will be collected and analyzed using publically available government data and published audit reports. This research will identify common reasons for poor project performance in government, analyze relationships between the performance of government projects and programs and their characteristics (e.g. budget size, duration, scope, and team composition), and report key lessons learned and provide recommendations to improve the project management performance in government. The researchers are particularly interested in mega projects as many of the government initiated or government funded projects are large and complex. Three major sectors in the government have been identified to evaluate and analyze project management practices and performance: Transportation/infrastructure; defense/space; and information systems development and deployment. From the practitioners? perspectives, this research and the proposed strategic roadmap will help government officials, project planners, and project managers make better decisions by proactively planning, managing and controlling government projects. From the academics? perspectives, this research will contribute to the body of knowledge of better understanding the challenges and opportunities of applying and implementing project, program, and portfolio management in government. …more

Active: 01/01/11 - 06/30/13

Sponsored by: Project Management Institute

Principal Investigators:
Min Liu

Evaluation of Available Scale-up Approaches for the Design of Granular Activated Carbon Contactors

This is cost sharing for project 552413, 2009-2318, Original PINS Record 34982

Active: 05/01/10 - 05/01/13

Sponsored by: Suffolk County Water Authority

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Quantifying the Impact of Change from Project Authorization to Start-Up

Change is a serious and expensive problem for the Construction Industry, as demonstrated by the number of previous CII studies and the number of papers published on this subject. We believe it is important and timely to conduct more research to quantify change?s comprehensive impact at project?s different phases from authorization to start-up, and on factors other than labor productivity. Combining CII?s existing benchmark database with that of Professor Ibbs would give us a large number of projects and a broader view of projects by which to test, verify, discover, etc. other aspects of project change and its impact on project success. And then incorporating those statistical findings would allow us to both those findings in an ?industry-friendly and ?usable? report. …more

Active: 09/01/10 - 08/31/12

Sponsored by: University of Texas - Austin

Principal Investigators:
Min Liu

Evaluation of the Cost Benefit Trade off for Vela Implementation

The objectives of this innovation grant project are multi-faceted. In general, we intend to utilize Vela for Field BIM applications, utilizing NCSU students to document the efficiency gains and perform a cost-benefit analysis to be used as the basis for recommenations on future applications throughout Skanska.

Active: 08/16/10 - 05/31/11

An Adaptive Leak Detection And Risk Analysis Framework For Urban Water Distribution Systems

Urban water distribution systems (WDS) are prone to leaks, deterioration, and contaminant intrusion. The risks associated with these conditions can be spatially diverse due to flow conditions, network characteristics, and external factors. The key to long term sustainability of these systems is to identify high risk regions and develop sound operational procedures and preventive maintenance plans. This project will develop an adaptive leak detection and contaminant intrusion framework that utilizes real time pressure, flow, and water quality data driven by a high performance simulation optimization engine. The research will also develop a risk analysis capability that could be used to analyze economic and public health risks associated with gradual leaks and contaminant intrusion occurring in day to day operations. In a recently completed project funded by NSF, the research team has developed an adaptive high performance simulation-optimization engine and associated optimization methodologies for contaminant source identification and sampling design in water distribution systems. While the proposed work will build on this work to an extent, a number of new developments are planned including: (a) a new simulation-based leak detection and contaminant intrusion detection methodology that uses routinely measured pressure, flow and water quality measurements (e.g., from a SCADA system), (b) a methodology for incorporating spatially varying macro indicators (e.g., pipe attributes) to improve the search process, (c) a methodology for incorporating demand uncertainty in leak detection, and (d) a risk assessment methodology that targets economic losses from leaks and public health risks from contaminant intrusion. The developed framework could be used by decision makers to make operational decisions and to develop long term maintenance and expansion plans. The system can also be used by decision makers to evaluate the risk reduction potential of different response and maintenance actions. In collaboration with a local utility, the leak detection and risk assessment framework developed through this research will be applied and validated using data from a mid-sized urban area. The major objectives are to: (a) develop a parallel simulation-optimization leak detection and contaminant intrusion methodology that uses routinely measured pressure and water quality data; (b) develop a Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) methodology to incorporate prior information and demand uncertainty into the leak and contaminant intrusion detection framework; (c) develop a methodology for evaluating economic and public health risks associated with leaks and contaminant intrusion; (d) test and evaluate the computational framework and the associated components for a mid- sized urban area; and (e) integrate and disseminate the research results in classroom teaching for college students, as well as continuing education and short courses for practitioners. Intellectual Merit. While complementing other related NSF funded efforts, the proposed research hinges on a number of paradigm shifting and transformational developments, including the conjunctive use of routine operational measurements and external factors for generating leak and contaminant intrusion maps in real time, incorporating uncertainties in a probabilistic framework, and the use of high performance computing technologies to enable real time computation. Broader Impact. Besides addressing one of the nation?s critical infrastructure security priorities in a real setting, the project contributes in general to the development of adaptive simulation methods and optimization algorithms that can harness high end computing resources. The computational framework developed through this proposal will set the stage for using emerging automated data collection systems for real time characterization. …more

Active: 08/15/11 - 07/31/14

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan, Earl D. Brill

Microbial Risk Assessment of Graywater Reuse using Quantitative Molecular Approaches

Graywater (GW) constitutes 50-80% of the total household wastewater, and therefore GW reuse has tremendous impact in decreasing clean water consumption. Reuse options for the treated graywater include toilet flushing, irrigation, vehicle washing, fire protection, and cooling water supply, among others. Despite the potential of GW reuse in contributing to water resource sustainability, there are knowledge gaps with respect to GW characteristics, effectiveness of treatment systems, and public health risks. We propose to use molecular approaches to: (1) determine microbial communities in graywater (raw, collected, and stored); (2) quantify key pathogens using quantitative PCR; (3) determine the effects of various factors, such as source, storage time, household size and composition, soil composition, temperature, and hydrologic pulses, on the incidence and survival of pathogens in collected graywater and in irrigated soil; and (4) provide initial quantitative assessment of microbial risk associated with use of graywater for irrigation and toilet flushing. We expect this research to inform the water reuse community (municipalities, engineers, the general public) of the public health implications of water reuse. …more

Active: 03/01/11 - 02/29/12

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II, Henry C. Frey

Collaborative Research: Fluorochemical Signatures in Municipal Waste and Landfill Leachate

Our first hypothesis is that fluorochemicals are released from municipal refuse by a fast physical process (e.g., leaching) and more slowly due to refuse biodegradation under methanogenic conditions. Our second hypothesis is that carpet, textile, and paper are the primary sources of fluorochemicals in refuse and the resulting leachate will have fluorochemical ?signatures?. To test hypotheses 1 and 2, we will measure fluorochemical release to leachate in several sets of laboratory-scale landfill simulation reactors. Reactors containing mixed refuse (collected on a quarterly basis) will be operated under methanogenic and abiotic conditions. Mixed refuse will also be sorted to test separately the paper/ textiles/carpet components. Additional reactors will be operated with fresh paper, refuse textiles, and refuse carpet. Fluorochemical data will make it possible to identify the principal classes of refuse that act as sources of fluorochemicals and to rationalize the observed fluorochemicals with known production and uses. Our third hypothesis is that landfills are long-term sources of fluorochemicals and that the mass of fluorochemicals released to engineered wastewater treatment plants and natural environments (e.g., groundwater) will prove important on a national scale. To test our third hypothesis, we will characterize fluorochemical concentrations in leachate in a representative survey of U.S. landfills with a focus on selecting sites so that the effects of climate (arid vs. wet), landfill operations, and refuse age on fluorochemical composition and concentration can be determined. These data, coupled with an inventory of U.S. landfills (lined and unlined), will be used to develop and parameterize a model to estimate on a national scale the mass of fluorochemicals released to wastewater treatment plants and to groundwater. …more

Active: 04/01/11 - 03/31/14

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Modeling of Cellulose, Hemicellulose and Lignin-Carbohydrate Complex Formation and Regulation to Understand Plant Cell Wall Structure

Plant cell walls are the essential components of feedstocks for biomass based liquid fuel alternatives to petroleum. The secondary cell walls of woody plants contribute greatly to biomass and are targets for improving potential feedstocks. In the application of systems biology to development of new biofuels, as in any complex biological process, predictive modeling is the central goal. We propose to use a systems approach with genome based information and mathematical modeling to advance the understanding of the biosynthesis of the plant secondary cell wall. To do this, we will use multiple transgenic perturbations and measure effects on plants using advanced quantitative methods of genomics, proteomics, and structural chemistry. The combination of quantitative analysis, transgenesis, statistical inference and systems modeling provide a novel and comprehensive strategy to investigate the regulation, biosynthesis and properties of the secondary cell wall. …more

Active: 09/01/11 - 08/31/14

Uncertainty in Surface Water Availability over North Carolina due to Climate and Land use Changes

Although water resources in North Carolina (NC) are abundant6, conflicting demands by growing urban areas, industrial use (including thermoelectric power) and agricultural use have forced the local/regional water supply systems to update their water supply plans once in five years. Accurate development of these water supply plans requires assessment of both water availability and demand over the planning horizon. But, assessment of water availability and demand are not two independent tasks, since increased demand resulting from development could change the land use, which in turn could reduce baseflow with increased overland runoff. This together with regional impacts resulting from global climate change could create considerable uncertainty in the developed water supply plans. In this study, we propose to quantify surface water availability and its uncertainty in the next 10-30 years under potential climate and land cover change scenarios over NC. …more

Active: 03/01/11 - 02/29/12

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam, Tushar Sinha

Performance Evaluation of Polymer Modified Asphalt Surface Treatments

Asphalt surface treatments (ASTs) are among the most efficient and cost-effective methods utilized by state highway agencies to preserve and rejuvenate existing pavements. Specific benefits of using surface treatments include sealing pavements against water and air, restoring weathered and raveled surfaces, and providing skid-resistant surfaces, to name a few. As a result of the continued commitment by state highway agencies (SHAs) to pavement preservation, the use of surface treatments has steadily increased. This increase in the use of surface treatments has led state agencies to invest in reviewing their design procedures, to modify their existing specifications, and to develop new mix design systems. Such systems would address material selection, mixture characteristics, performance evaluation, and other influencing factors such as traffic, climate, and existing pavement conditions. Limited qualitative data and literature suggest that surface treatments constructed with polymer-modified emulsions provide improved initial and long-term performance in general; however, there is no reliable performance data available for polymer-modified ASTs. Moreover, quantitative evaluation of the effects of various types and concentrations of polymer in the emulsion on the performance of AST does not exist. For polymer modified emulsion designers and manufacturers, this type of data is extremely important in fine-tuning their products to maximize the beneficial effects of polymers in the emulsion. Although the field experiments with various polymer-modified emulsions would yield the most realistic evaluation of their beneficial effects, they are not only too expensive and time consuming, but also the multiple factors and their variations in the field experiments often make it difficult to use the results in an effective manner. …more

Active: 10/15/10 - 12/31/11

Evaluation Plant-Produced High-Percentage RAP Mixtures in the Northeast

The primary objective of the proposed research is to develop fatigue failure criteria for RAP and non?]RAP mixtures that can be used in the Simplified Viscoelastic Continuum Damage (S?]VECD) model. Previous research at North Carolina State University (NCSU) funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has established a preliminary form of the failure criteria. This previous research indicates poor fatigue cracking performance with RAP mixtures compared to the performance of corresponding non?]RAP mixtures. The proposed study will attempt to refine the failure criteria and develop relationships between the failure criteria and mixture characteristics using the mixtures to be collected in the New England RAP Pooled Fund study (hereinafter called NE RAP study). …more

Active: 08/11/10 - 12/31/13

Sponsored by: University of New Hampshire

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Benjamin Underwood

Effluent/Emissions Control Technology Studies, Source Characterizations, and Emissions Inventory Modeling and Homeland Security Research

Quantifying life-cycle environmental emissions from the landfill disposal of municipal waste is an important component of conducting an overall evaluation of management of materials and waste discards. Under this task, NCSU will work to update an existing methodology used to quantify landfill emissions that takes into account recent advances in research and understanding related to decay rates, landfill gas collection efficiencies, methane oxidation rates, and carbon storage. …more

Active: 07/09/10 - 04/30/11

Sponsored by: Eastern Research Group, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Generation of Biodegradation - Sorption Barriers for Munitions Constituents 11 EB-ER1-079 (formerly ER1-038)

The overall objective of this proposal is to further develop and demonstrate a process to enhance the sorption and/or degradation of TNT, RDX, HMX and perchlorate in soils by spray application of an amendment solution containing waste glycerol and a soluble humic material to the soil surface, followed by irrigation to carry the amendments deeper into the soil profile. The readily biodegradable glycerol will stimulate anaerobic biodegradation of the target contaminants and will reduce naturally occurring Fe(III) oxides and hydroxides to Fe(II). This Fe(II) will provide a reservoir of reducing power to maintain anoxic conditions in the soil and will enhance abiotic degradation of RDX and other contaminants. The humic materials will also maintain reducing conditions by consuming oxygen, enhance hydrophobic sorption, enhance covalent binding of TNT, and may potentially serve as electron shuttles, enhancing abiotic degradation by Fe(II). The humic material is also expected to enhance sorption of any heavy metals that may be present. Irrigation and transport of the amendments at least 0.25 m into the soil profile will be important to reduce fire hazards, generate more strongly reducing conditions, and increase treatment longevity. Our process builds heavily on prior work supported by SERDP (CU-1229) and ESTCP (ER-0434) which showed that a combined peat ? soybean oil treatment could be effective in reducing contaminant flux through the vadose zone. The major focus of this project will be to develop a practical, easy to deploy technology that does not generate a fire hazard and does not interfere with training activities. In this demonstration, an established and operational burn ground will be treated to reduce concentrations of perchlorate and other energetic compounds in the vadose zone. We propose to follow a phased approach consisting of: (1) laboratory column studies to identify mixtures of glycerol and/or humic materials that are effective in treating contaminated soils in situ and preventing leaching of contaminants deposited in the future; (2) medium scale field-pilot tests to evaluate treatment performance under representative field conditions; and (3) a large scale field demonstration of the technology on a heavily impacted burn area. At the end of each phase, there is a GO/NO GO Decision. Glycerol / humics treatment of soils should be applicable to a wide variety of DoD facilities including mortar and grenade ranges, tank targets, OB/OD areas, etc. This technology is not expected to replace lime treatment of training ranges. Rather, our approach will complement the lime treatment technology and should be applicable to many sites where lime treatment is difficult to implement (soils with high acidity, UXO, vegetated areas, etc.). Cost and performance of the proposed technology are expected to be comparable to lime treatment of surface soils. …more

Active: 03/30/11 - 03/30/15

Sponsored by: US Army - Corps of Engineers

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden, Detlef R. Knappe

CAREER: Modeling for Insights with an Open Source Energy Economy Optimization Model

The goal of this proposal is to develop new EEO methods to enable a system-wide assessment of energy technology and public policy aimed at delivering deep cuts in greenhouse gas and air pollutant emissions. This goal motivates the following research objectives: (1) develop open source datasets at both the U.S. national and multi-region global level to address questions related to the environmental and economic impacts of proposed energy and environmental policy, (2) utilize multi-core and compute cluster environments to enable rigorous uncertainty analysis, and (3) develop a joint cognitive process to allow the efficient interaction of decision makers and computer models to produce new policy-relevant insight. These research objectives will be tightly integrated with an educational plan that uses EEO models as a tool to teach students to think critically about energy technology assessment as well as energy and environmental policy from a systems perspective. …more

Active: 01/15/11 - 12/31/15

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph F DeCarolis

Field Verification of Undercut Criteria and Alternatives for Subgrade Stabilization

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is progressing toward developing quantitative and systematic criteria that address the implementation of undercutting as a subgrade stabilization measure. As a part of this effort, a laboratory study and numerical analyses were performed over the past two years with the results providing proposed criteria for undercutting and alternative stabilization measures under various roadway site conditions. These criteria provide provisions for discerning possible rutting and pumping of the subgrade under construction loading, and provide response and subgrade stiffness under repeated loading of 10,000 cycles. The objective of work proposed herein is to perform testing in the field on instrumented roadway sections to collect data for the validation of the guidelines developed from the laboratory and modeling study. The proposed plan encompasses field instrumentation of four test pads; one with the implementation of undercutting and replacement with quality fill and stabilization fabric, a second includes undercutting in conjunction with the use of geotextile, a third stabilized with geogrids, and a fourth includes chemical stabilization. …more

Active: 08/16/10 - 03/31/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Mohammed A. Gabr, Roy H. Borden

Modernizing Models and Data on Methane Production from Landfills

The objective of the proposed research is to develop an improved data set and model to predict methane production from U.S. landfills.

Active: 08/02/10 - 07/31/12

Sponsored by: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Joseph F DeCarolis

Seven Portals Study

This ?Seven Portals? study is an investigation into the feasibility of developing business hubs in the seven commerce economic development regions across North Carolina based around a 7,000 ft (or longer) runway having Class III instrumentation for all-weather landings and departures. This concept was initially presented in the ?Statewide Logistics Plan for North Carolina? and further refined by the Governor?s Logistics Task Force. These hubs would be located in each of the seven commerce economic development regions. The concept is similar to creating a business hub like the Global TransPark and the efforts underway through the Piedmont Triad Partnership. Part of the study will be to determine how many hubs could fit the criteria established for future success. …more

Active: 07/01/10 - 12/31/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
George F. List, Robert S. Foyle, Alixandra Demers, Daniel Findley

Development of a Scalable Parallel I/O Module for Environmental Management Applications

As part of the ASCEM project (http://ascemdoe.org), PNNL is participating in a consortium of national laboratories to develop a next-generation code that employs high-performance computing to simulate multiphase flow and reactive transport in the subsurface. From July 27, 2010 to Feb 28, 2011, PNNL contracted NCSU to develop scalable parallel I/O algorithms to support the larger ASCEM effort. As part of this work, NCSU developed a two-phase I/O library to perform extremely efficient parallel I/O on large core counts (up to 144K cores) on the Cray XT/5. In this supplement, NCSU will continue development of the ASCEM-IO library to support a wider range of I/O patterns and data formats as well as providing assistance to the AMANZI core HPC team in integrating the ASCEM-IO library into the AMANZI code base. In addition, the NCSU team will assist the core HPC team in performing detailed performance analyses of the AMANZI simulator on leadership class platforms. …more

Active: 07/27/10 - 02/29/12

Sponsored by: Battelle Memorial Institute (Battelle)

Principal Investigators:
Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar

Field Evaluation of Double Crossover Diamond Interchanges

Many freeway-to-surface street (i.e., service) interchanges in the US have serious operational and safety problems. Simple diamond interchange forms provide many examples of this type of failure across the US. Unconventional design solutions provide a menu of options that agencies can explore to overcome the pitfalls associated with failing diamond interchanges. The most prominent unconventional service interchange design with no loops and no weaving at the moment is the double crossover diamond (DCD) interchange. The DCD has enormous potential to help agencies faced with a failing simple diamond interchange. The DCD is new and there are still few installations. The first three DCD interchanges were apparently installed near Paris, France. The first DCD in the US opened at I-44 and MO-13 in Springfield, Missouri in June 2009. At least five more DCD interchanges are expected to open in the US within the next few years. Unfortunately, the existing research has barely scratched the surface of knowledge of the DCD. The objectives of this project are to: (1) evaluate the operational and safety impacts of converting an existing diamond interchange into a DCD through before and after study, and (2) investigate how accurately the field observed traffic conditions at the DCD sites can be replicated in microscopic simulation in VISSIM. Satisfaction of these objectives, through detailed study of the six DCD interchanges expected to be in place soon in the US, will go a long way to filling the gaps noted above in the existing DCD knowledge base. This will build confidence in highway agencies across the US to be able to use the DCD design in the places where it can do the most good for American motorists. …more

Active: 09/20/10 - 11/19/14

Sponsored by: Federal Highway Administration (FHWA)

Principal Investigators:
Joseph E. Hummer, David B. Kaber, Nagui M. Rouphail

Southeast Climate Science Center

The Department of the Interior (DOI) is establishing a network of geographically dispersed DOI Regional Climate Science Centers (Regional Centers). Regional Centers will be based at host organizations that have suitable facilities, partnerships, and science capabilities, and will involve multiple active collaborators. Regional Centers will house up to twelve (12) USGS and DOI employees and will work in close partnership with the host institution with the goal to understand high priority science needs and to develop science information and tools that can help land, water, fish and wildlife, and cultural heritage resource managers develop strategies for responding to climate change. Objectives are to 1) Provide land, water, fish and wildlife, ocean, coastal, and cultural heritage resource managers with the tools and information to develop and execute strategies for successfully adapting to and mitigating the impacts of climate change. 2) Provide modeling and forecasting information and tools, integrate physical climate models with ecological models, assess climate change vulnerabilities, forecast changes, and develop standardized approaches. 3) Provide funding for researchers through cooperative agreements that involve climate change science as a major component. …more

Active: 09/23/10 - 08/31/15

Sponsored by: US Geological Survey (USGS)

Principal Investigators:
Damian Shea, Scott M. Fitzpatrick, Ryan Boyles, Robert R. Dunn, David B. Eggleston, Nicholas M. Haddad, James F. Gilliam, Suzanne Kennedy-Stoskop, Christopher E. Moorman, Margery F. Overton, Daniel Robison, Fredrick H. Semazzi, Michael K. Stoskopf

Innovative Materials for Civil Engineering Infrastructures, CICI Core Project 2

The project investigates the effectiveness of using Grancrete paste as an alternative to epoxy resins for the adhesion of fiber strengthening to reinforced concrete structures. The study includes also evaluation of the fundamental bond characteristics and permeability of the Grancrete material.

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Rapid FRP Repair System for Damaged Reinforced Concrete Columns, CICI Core Project 1

Develop a rapid repair technique for damaged reinforced concrete columns with buckled and/or ruptured longitudinal steel reinforcement.

Active: 07/01/10 - 12/31/11

Sponsored by: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Rudolf Seracino

CICI Administrative Account

Supplement for CICI Admin. Acct. funded by Center Membership pool

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Locomotive Biofuel Study

For the biofuel study, the Federal Railroad Administration wishes to consider (1) the energy intensity of various biofuel blends compared to diesel fuel; (2) environmental and energy effects of using various biofuel blends compared to diesel fuel, including emission effects; (3) the cost of purchasing biofuel blends; (4) whether sufficient biofuel is readily available; (5) any public benefits derived from the use of such fuels; and (6) the effect of biofuel use on locomotive and other vehicle performance and warranty specifications. Locomotive engine performance and emissions shall be determined through locomotive testing, using various biofuel blends and diesel fuel. This research shall be done so that recommendations can be made for premium locomotive biofuel blends. …more

Active: 01/03/11 - 03/31/13

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Alexander O. Hobbs

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI Membership, Full Member with special services privileges

CICI intends to usher applications and cost-effective solutions using composite material systems and technologies in the fields of civil and military structures

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI)Membership, Full Member with special service privileges

CICI intends to usher applications and cost-effective solutions using composite material systems and technologies in the fields of civil and military structures.

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: Martin Marietta Composites

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructures (CICI), Full Member with special service privileges

Membership

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/13

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with special service privileges

CICI intends to usher applications and cost-effective solutions using composite material systems and technologies in the fields of civil and military structures.

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: Nippon Steel Materials Co., Ltd.

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site, Membership Pool Agreement

No abstract provided.

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/15

Sponsored by: Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure (CICI) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Development of Soluble Soy-based Products for Anaerobic Bioremediation

In this project, we will develop and evaluate low cost, soluble substrates for enhanced anaerobic bioremediation of chlorinated solvents and related contaminants.

Active: 05/16/10 - 08/31/11

Sponsored by: Smith, Bucklin & Associates, LLC

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Mobility and Reliability Performance Measurement

Mobility is one of the key performance focus areas of NCDOT?s strategic transformation effort. The Transformation Management Team (TMT) established a TMT Mobility Workstream Team in 2007. This team began working on a mobility implementation plan in early 2008, completed the report in May 2008, and presented final recommendations to the Strategic Management Committee (SMC) in November 2008. The team recommended that NCDOT measures mobility of highway and other modes, naming the enabling tasks as 1) defining the performance measures, 2) assessing baseline performance, and 3) setting performance targets. Transportation mobility assessment, including the key mobility component of system reliability, is timely and critically important. However, mobility performance measurement is still a relatively new concept and there is a significant multipronged ongoing research effort under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) 2 Capacity and Reliability programs. In order to achieve the TMT Mobility Workstream team goals, NCDOT must implement monitoring and measurement techniques for mobility and reliability that are still in the research and development stage. The use and understanding of traffic statistics generated from various monitoring systems in the state such as Traffi.com, Inrix and SpeedInfo is a critical activity in defining and assessing mobility targets The Mobility Workstream team has plans in place to quickly implement a beta suite of link-based performance measures. The proposed research project assumes this initial implementation will be in place prior to the start of the project tasks. The project tasks are designed to address a series of research questions that must be answered to enable delivery of performance measures that are rigorous, responsive, and comprehensive. …more

Active: 08/16/10 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Billy M. Williams, Nagui M. Rouphail

Evaluation of Moisture Susceptibility in a Warm Mix Asphalt Pavement: US 157, Hurdle Mills, NC

The primary objective of this proposed research is to compare the moisture susceptibility of field cores taken from the WMA pavement in question against that of cores obtained from a corresponding non-WMA pavement. The moisture susceptibility of the field cores will be determined by comparing the dynamic modulus and fatigue performance of moisture-conditioned and unconditioned roadway cores using the indirect tensile (IDT) test.

Active: 05/15/10 - 10/15/10

Sponsored by: Trimat Materials Testing, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with special services privileges

CICI intends to usher applications and cost-effective solutions using composite material systems and technologies in the fields of civil and military structures.

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/11

Driving Simulation of Nine-Panel Logo Signs

Logo signs are defined as guide signs that provide road users with business identification and directional information for services and for eligible attractions. Eligible service categories include gas, food, lodging, camping, and attractions. The number of businesses providing motorist services has grown at many interchanges on North Carolina freeways. At some interchanges, the number of qualifying businesses providing a certain service exceeds the maximum six panels per sign. In 2005, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) began experimenting with nine-panel signs at some of those locations. The NCDOT also uses mixed-use overflow signs at some of these locations. The recently published 2009 version of Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) includes a significant logo sign policy change. The policy now allows for the use of overflow mixed-use logo signs. Section 2J.02.04 specifies that ?no service type shall appear on more than two signs?, which implies that two logo signs can contain the same type of service. It further specifies that ?where a service type is displayed on two signs, the signs for that service should follow one another in succession.? The 2003 version of MUTCD specified that ?no service type shall appear on more than one sign.? However, the new MUTCD maintains that ?no more than six logo sign panels shall be displayed on a single specific service sign.? Therefore, the new MUTCD still does not allow the use of nine-panel signs. No explanation or justification of the maximum use of six panels is given in the new MUTCD. A concern some express with more signs or signs with more information is added driver distraction. Driver distraction is defined as a diversion of attention away from activities critical for safe driving toward a competing activity (Lee et al., 2008). Multiple resource theory (MRT) describes this diversion in terms of competition for attention resources defined by four dimensions: processing stage, processing code, perceptual modalities, and visual channel (Horrey and Wickens, 2004). When the multiple demands compete for the same resource, performance of one or more of these tasks degrades. Cell phones, personal digital assistants (PDAs), and navigation devices are typical in-vehicle driver distractions. Traffic signs and billboards are typical on-road distractions. Driving functions such as glancing at the speedometer or back mirror are normally considered as a part of the driving task, not as driver distractions. …more

Active: 06/01/10 - 02/28/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph E. Hummer, William J. Rasdorf, David B. Kaber

Center for Integration of Composites into Infrastructure Membership (CICI), Full Member with special services privileges

Membership

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/12

Extending the Use of Chip Seals to High Volume Roads by Using Polymer-Modified Emulsions and Optimized Construction Procedures

As the general performance of roadways in the United States has deteriorated over time, an increased interest in preventive maintenance and rehabilitation has come to the fore. Chip seals are among the most efficient and cost-effective methods utilized by state highway agencies to preserve and rejuvenate existing pavements. Thus, it has become imperative for these agencies to optimize the use of chip seals in terms of prolonged service life, decreased life cycle costs, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced safety. A series of research projects funded by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has shown various ways to improve chip seal performance. These improvements include the use of: (1) lightweight aggregate with uniform gradation, (2) polymer-modified emulsions (PMEs), and (3) optimized rolling protocols. With the increased levels of effectiveness that are inherent of PMEs as compared to their unmodified counterparts, the use of chip seals on high volume roads is now feasible and may provide some of the same benefits they have been shown to provide for low volume roads. The objectives of the proposed research project are: (1) to optimize construction procedures for polymer-modified chip seals and (2) to develop guidelines as to the amount of heavy traffic the modified chip seals can support. Thus, the proposed research describes a field and laboratory experimental program to develop guidelines regarding the maximum amount of traffic that the modified chip seals can support using improved construction procedures. This research would result in guidelines for optimized construction procedures for polymer-modified chip seals and recommendations for the maximum traffic volumes that the polymer-modified chip seals can accommodate. The Divisions would then be able to implement these optimized construction procedures to improve the performance of polymer-modified chip seals. Thus, the products of this research are to improve the performance of polymer-modified chip seals in North Carolina and provide guidelines for maximizing the benefits of polymer modification. It is expected that these benefits will result in the use of polymer-modified chip seals for roads that have a higher traffic volume than those roads for which chip seals are currently used. …more

Active: 08/16/10 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin

Active: 08/16/10 - 08/15/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Margery F. Overton

An Evaluation of Warm Mix Asphalt Technologies for NCDOT Mixes

After success in Europe, Warm-Mixed asphalt (WMA) technology started to spark interest in the United States. The major advantages of implementing WMA technology are its ability to reduce emissions, lower energy consumption and increase workability. Several state DOTs have invested in research in WMA including Virginia, Tennessee, California and Texas. There are several additives being used for the production of Warm-Mixed asphalt. Those proposed to be used in this research are Zeolite and either Evotherm 3G or Sasobit®. In addition to the use of WMA additives, ?The Foamer? device that produces WMA will also be used. Use of these products has shown that there is a consistent reduction in production temperatures of up to 50oF. This temperature reduction has the potential to reduce production costs and emissions from the production plants. Implementation of WMA technology may pose some important engineering challenge. As most of the technologies use water to increase workability, the mixtures may be susceptible to moisture sensitivity. In addition, although, reduction in mix production temperature will subject the mix to less oxidative hardening, the reduced hardening may increase the mix susceptibility to permanent deformation. The objectives of this research project are to evaluate the moisture susceptibility of North Carolina mixes using three different WMA technologies. Volumetric and material performance characteristics will be evaluated using WMA in comparison to HMA. This comparison will enable NCDOT to select the best WMA technology and determine if such technology will result in adequate mix performance with respect to moisture susceptibility, fatigue, and permanent deformation. If the WMA mixes are adequate, it may result in more economical pavements in the present increasing fuel cost environment. …more

Active: 08/16/10 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla, Akhtarhusein A. Tayebali

Removal of Perfluorinated Compounds by Powdered Activated Carbon Blends, Superfine Powdered Activated Carbon, and Magnetic Anion Exchange Resins

The principal objective of the proposed research is to assess the effectiveness of innovative powdered activated carbon (PAC) adsorption and magnetic anion exchange processes for the removal of perfluorinated compounds (PFCs) from drinking water sources. Specific objectives include (1) determining whether blending of microporous and mesoporous PACs is advantageous for the removal of PFCs that cover a broad range of molecular weights, (2) evaluating the effectiveness of superfine PAC (S-PAC) for PFC removal, and (3) evaluating the effectiveness of a magnetic anion exchange resin for PFC removal. An important goal of the third objective is to identify effective resin regeneration strategies. …more

Active: 01/01/11 - 04/01/14

Sponsored by: Water Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Comparison of Data Collection Vehicles to Human Collection Methods

Additional funding and time to complete quatlity control of data collection, additional supervision, analysis and report writing. Two additinal vendors will be engaged to collect asset data per the instruction of NCDOT.

Active: 08/16/10 - 06/30/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Christopher Michael Cunningham, Joseph E. Hummer, Daniel Findley, Bastian Schroeder, Thomas H. Brown

Building Design Process Innovation for Enhancing Energy and Environmental Sustainability

While global interest in sustainable buildings has driven engineering innovations in building-related technology, considerably less attention has been paid to the effectiveness of the prevailing building design process. Computer simulations of building performance to assess the impact of design choices on energy, water, and material consumption as well as emissions are only loosely coupled to the architectural design process. Further, building simulation models only provide point estimates of performance, relying on users to make manual changes to inputs and rerun the model. The result is a design process driven by informed trial-and-error rather than quantitative building-specific performance data, which makes design for sustainability difficult. We hypothesize that the availability of targeted building performance data through the full breadth of the architectural design process will lead to innovative designs that improve the use of energy, water, and materials during both building construction and operation. The goal of this research is to evaluate a human-computer joint cognitive design process, allowing architects to couple building information models (BIM) with building performance analysis to create a progressive decision-making framework for building design. To meet this goal, we will test an approach to find good configurations of building options to meet performance objectives specified at any stage of the design process. This search will explore an array of alternatives that underscore the multiplicity of design possibilities available to match the design objectives. …more

Active: 07/01/10 - 06/30/11

Sponsored by: NCSU Strategic Research Initiative

Principal Investigators:
Joseph F DeCarolis, David Hill, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

Effect of Load History on Performance Limit States of Bridge Columns

This research project investigates the impact of seismic loading history on the design of reinforced concrete bridge columns typical of those used in the State of Alaska. Currently, structural engineers use concrete and steel strain limit states in seismic design which have minimal experimental or theoretical basis. While the strain limits that are typically used attempt to account for cyclic loading which earthquakes impose, there is insufficient basis for their selection. Furthermore, these strain limits are often converted, through monotonic section analysis, to displacement limits for design purposes. But again, the cyclic nature of earthquake loading can significantly alter the relationship between strain and displacement. An understanding of this relationship between strain and displacement, as a function of loading history, is essential for reliable seismic design. The overall objective of this project is to propose strain limit states that account for regional seismic loading histories in Alaska, and to relate these proposed strain limits to displacement limits. The goals of this project will be met through a combination of analytical and experimental studies. A key requirement of the experimental work is the ability to measure large strains (up to 12%). NCSU has an optical measurement system previously purchased for this purpose which has been shown to be reliable for such measurement of strains in reinforcing steel. The seismic loading histories to which the test specimens will be subjected will be determined from a dataset developed by researchers at the University of Alaska-Anchorage. Results from both frame-type and fiber-based analyses using the ground motions from the dataset will guide the initial selection of specimen design variables. A total of nine tests on essentially full scale circular bridge columns will be performed. The details of the specimens will be determined based the results obtained from the current project, from the analytical results, and from each of the previous tests in this proposed phase two project. Given the limited number of tests, it is important to learn as much as possible from each test before designing and conducting additional tests. This approach has worked successfully in current and previous projects sponsored by the Alaska DOT. These nine test units will be subjected to load histories with varying characteristics, but typical of those experienced in Alaska. The results of this research project will be presented as proposed tensile and compressive strain limits and corresponding displacement limits. The primary benefit of this project will be a better understanding of how seismic load history influences the performance of reinforced concrete bridges in Alaska. Alaska DOT engineers will be provided with tools to refine bridge designs optimized for regional seismicity, ensuring that bridges in Alaska remain safe in major earthquakes and serviceable in smaller earthquakes. …more

Active: 07/12/10 - 08/15/12

Ductility of Welded Steel Column to Cap - Part Two

The research program described in this proposal is a follow up to a previously conducted project in which a structural system in common use in Alaska was evaluated. Of primary interest in the prior project, and in this proposed phase two project, is the welded connection between the circular pipe piles and the double HP cap beam, a system commonly used as the supporting bents for Alaska bridges and marine structures. Phase one was essentially an investigation into the assessment of current design practice, and a proof of concept to identify improved connection design approaches. The results of phase one indicated that the current practice of fillet welding the cap beam to the pile is inadequate. Additional tests on alternative weld details proved that welding alone is not likely to produce the necessary ductility and energy absorbing capacities required for satisfactory designs in Alaska. The final test in phase one, in which a plastic hinge-relocating concept was investigated, proved successful. In this concept, a round steel column capital was utilized, in which the top portion welded to the cap beam is thicker than the bottom thinner portion welded to the pile. This turned down column capital was successful in reducing the inelastic demands of the cap beam weld, and forced the inelastic action to occur in the pile itself. The research proposed in phase two includes the optimization of the column capital design to improve displacement capacity and ductility and an investigation of additional connection designs proposed by AKDOT engineers (kerf, pocket, and truss-type connections). A set of nine full scale tests will be conducted, in conjunction with both finite element and frame analyses. The research team will work closely with AKDOT engineers, as they have in current and past projects, to design the tests to achieve the most meaningful results. Since the number of full scale tests is limited, it is important to learn as much as possible from each. The design of subsequent tests takes into consideration all results from previous tests. The research will result in a series of design recommendations consistent with the various levels of seismicity found within the State of Alaska. The primary benefit of this project will be the improved design and performance of steel bridges and marine structures containing similar connections.Alaska DOT engineers will be provided with guidelines to ensure that Alaska?s bridges and marine structures remain safe in major earthquakes. …more

Active: 07/15/10 - 08/15/12

Numerical Modeling of Post-Remediation Impacts of Anaerobic Bioremediation on Groundwater Quality

Electron donor addition can be very effective in stimulating enhanced reductive dechlorination (ERD) of chlorinated solvents and anaerobic biodegradation/immobilization of other groundwater contaminants. However, electron donor addition can result in the release of a groundwater ?plume? with reduced levels of O2, NO3-, SO42-, and elevated levels of dissolved Mn2+, Fe2+, CH4, organic carbon, salts, and naturally occurring hazardous compounds (As, etc.). There is growing concern about these ?secondary impacts? of anaerobic bioremediation processes. Objective: The overall objective of this research is to develop an improved understanding of the near- and long-term impacts to groundwater quality after implementation of in situ anaerobic bioremediation processes. This will include development and application of a general modeling approach for describing the natural attenuation of important secondary water quality impacts associated with electron donor addition. Specific objectives to be achieved during the three year duration of this project include. A. Formulate a general modeling approach appropriate for simulating the natural attenuation of electron donors and associated secondary impacts for a wide range of sites. The model approach and validation will be based on data from three intensively studied field sites -- Bemidji Crude Oil Spill, Cape Cod Wastewater Plume, and NAWC - West Trenton Chlorinated Solvent Spill. B. Assemble a database of secondary water quality impacts at ERD sites. Analyze the secondary plumes to determine a range of characteristics and natural attenuation mechanisms. Identify a set of representative Case Studies illustrating important aspects of secondary plume behavior. C. Use the validated model approach to simulate a series of synthetic plumes corresponding to end-member cases important to SWQI assessment. Use the simulation results to assess the potential for significant SWQIs at ERD sites based on site characteristics and remediation system design. D. Use the advanced model simulations and ERD parameter database to develop a draft protocol for estimating the likely extent and duration of secondary impacts at typical ERD sites. The protocol would address extent and duration of impacts, sampling needs, and modeling approaches. …more

Active: 03/22/11 - 03/21/14

Sponsored by: Strategic Environmental Research and Development Program (SERDP)

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

The Environmental Sustainability of Integrated Solid Waste Management in a Carbon Constrained World

The goal of the proposed research is to investigate the cost and environmental implications of emerging greenhouse gas (GHG) reduction policies on the solid waste management (SWM) sector, and to outline alternative ways in which municipal solid waste (MSW) managers may optimally respond through changes to material flows and choice of process-technologies in SWM systems. This will be accomplished through the following research objectives: 1. Evaluate the changes over time in technology choices for individual MSW processes (e.g., collection, landfills, and composting facilities) that would most cost-effectively respond to climate change mitigation policies. For example, there are multiple technologies available for aerobic composting and landfill gas collection with varying levels of GHG emissions, and their cost-effectiveness will vary in response to climate change mitigation policies. 2. Evaluate the changes in integrated SWM strategies (i.e., waste flows and process choices) that would most effectively respond to different climate change mitigation policies. For example, as the price of energy and GHG emissions increases, the cost-effectiveness of each MSW process may change by varying degrees, affecting cost-effective combinations of integrated SWM programs designed to meet climate change mitigation goals. 3. Evaluate and determine the effects of climate change policies on other environmental emissions and impacts associated with integrated SWM strategies responding to climate mitigation policies. For example, a SWM program that responds to GHG emissions reduction policies may adversely impact other environmental considerations such as acidification potential, water consumption, and ozone depletion. 4. Evaluate and determine the interdependent effects of specific policies designed to influence SWM in a carbon regulated environment. For example, waste combustion is banned in some jurisdictions yet this encourages an inferior technology (landfills) with respect to GHG emissions. …more

Active: 08/15/10 - 07/31/13

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph F DeCarolis, Morton A. Barlaz, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

Monitoring Microstructural Evolution Of Alloy 617 With Nonlinear Acoustics For Remaining Useful Life Prediction: Multiaxial Creep-fatigue And Creep-ratcheting

The proposed research will build upon a current investigation to develop a unified constitutive model intended for design-by-analysis of the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) for a very high temperature reactor (VHTR) design of next generation nuclear plants (NGNPs). Model development requires a set of failure data from complex mechanical experiments to characterize the material behavior. Therefore uniaxial and multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting are being conducted on the nickel-base Alloy 617 at temperatures of 850 and 950 °C. The time dependence of material behavior, and the interaction of time dependent behavior (e.g., creep) with ratcheting, which is an increase in the cyclic mean strain under load control cycling, are major concerns for NGNP design. The proposed research is aimed at characterizing the microstructure mechanisms activated in Alloy 617 by mechanical loading and dwell times at elevated temperature. The acoustic harmonic generation method will be researched for microstructural characterization. It is a nonlinear acoustics method with excellent potential for nondestructive evaluation, and even online continuous monitoring once high temperature sensors become available. It is unique because it has the ability to quantitatively characterize microstructural features well before macroscale defects (e.g., cracks) form. The nonlinear acoustics beta parameter will be correlated to microstructural evolution using a systematic approach to handle the complexity of multiaxial creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting deformation. Limited mechanical testing is proposed to supplement the current investigation and provide a full spectrum of data for: thermal aging, tensile creep, uniaxial fatigue, uniaxial creep-fatigue, uniaxial creep-ratcheting, multiaxial creep-fatigue, and multiaxial creep-ratcheting. Thorough microscopy, including High Resolution Transmission Electron Microscopy (HR-TEM), Scanning Transmission Electron Microscopy (STEM), Energy Dispersive Spectroscopy (EDS), and Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM), is required and will be conducted to correlate the beta parameter with individual microstructure mechanisms. The acoustic harmonic generation method is well developed for longitudinal waves in large specimens. Higher harmonic generation in thin plates is becoming better understood and some success has been achieved. We propose to research applying the method to tubular mechanical test specimens, and eventually pipes for nondestructive evaluation. Tubular specimens, samples sectioned from these specimens, and pipes will all act as waveguides, thus we will apply the acoustic harmonic generation method to guided waves in shells. Coupling ultrasonic transducers to the shell sample will be achieved to generate a pure mode and receive low amplitude harmonics. The diverse project team, which includes a minority institution, enables the results of the microstructural evolution characterization to be employed for remaining useful life prediction. The unified constitutive model currently being developed for design purposes will be adapted for life prediction by correlating the beta parameter evolution obtained from nondestructive evaluation (or eventually online monitoring) to the model?s internal state variables. Such a microstructure based constitutive model will enable improving the ASME-NH code for Alloy 617. …more

Active: 08/04/10 - 08/31/13

Sponsored by: Pennsylvania State University

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan

Integrated Solid Waste Management and Its Environmental Sustainability in a Carbon Constrained Environment

The goal of the proposed research is to develop a life-cycle assessment (LCA) model capable of analyzing solid waste management (SWM) performance ? at both the individual process and integrated system levels ? taking into account implications of greenhouse gas (GHG) mitigation policies and competing SWM objectives (e.g., costs, emissions, and diversion targets). An integrated life-cycle optimization model will be developed to estimate the costs, energy use, emissions, and environmental impacts associated with the processes (e.g., collection, separation, waste-to-energy [WTE], composting, anaerobic digestion, landfilling) that constitute the SWM system. The model will be used to meet the following objectives: 1. Quantify the increased costs associated with various SWM processes due to different GHG mitigation policies including anticipated energy price changes induced by these policies. 2. Evaluate changes in integrated SWM strategies (i.e., waste flows and process choices) that most effectively respond to different GHG mitigation policies. 3. Quantify the effects of GHG mitigation policies and related energy price changes on other SWM-related environmental impacts (e.g., smog formation and acidification). …more

Active: 01/01/10 - 12/31/12

Sponsored by: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan, Joseph F DeCarolis

Economic Contribution of the North Carolina Ports

The purpose of this project is to examine the contribution of the North Carolina State Ports on North Carolina's economy at the regional, statewide, and county levels. The primary goal of this project is to conduct an economic contribution assessment of the existing North Carolina Ports. The secondary goal is to help communicate what the economic contributions mean overall to North Carolina. The Ports Authority would use these communication tools to educate key audiences and stakeholders on the economic contributions and value of the NC Ports. These groups could include the NC General Assembly, the North Carolina Department of Commerce, the North Carolina Department of Transportation's Board of Transportation, industries located in North Carolina, and industries that could potentially locate to North Carolina. Research efforts will also include a critical review of existing port related documents and a summary of opinions and outlook from port related fields through a focus group session. Findings from these efforts will supplement the expertise of the project team, allowing the team to develop potential scenarios and strategic initiatives the ports should consider exploring. A thorough examination of the economic contribution values and characteristics will likely be utilized to guide future initiatives at the ports. …more

Active: 02/01/10 - 01/31/11

North Carolina Statewide Travel Demand Model - PB

The State of North Carolina has the second longest highway system in the U.S. To support decision-making for highway insfrastructure improvement the NCDOT has hired PB Americas to develop a statewide travel demand model that will estimate future truck and automobile traffic on roads in North Carolina. Researchers at NC State will help that modeling effort.

Active: 03/01/10 - 09/09/10

Sponsored by: PB Americas, Inc. (formerly Parsons Brinckerhoff)

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone, Bing Mei, Joseph Huegy

Development of a Constitutive Model for Simulation of Stress-Strain Responses of HA230 under Thermo-Mechanical Cyclic Loading

Honeywell Aerospace is seeking the development of time independent and time dependent plasticity models for analyzing the constitutive response of metallic alloys which are employed in gas turbine engines. The alloys range from low strength materials such as HA-230 and Hast-X to intermediate strength alloys such as Ti-6-4 and Ti-6-2-4-2 to high strength alloys such as U720LI, DP718. This study will develop constitutive model for simulating thermo-mechanical responses of HA-230. The temperatures range will vary from room temperature to as high as 1800F. At elevated temperatures, time dependence of deformation is expected to play a significant part. The phenomena that have to be included in an all encompassing constitutive model are (i) the hysteresis and Bauschinger effect, and strain hardening and softening and (ii) stress relaxation and time dependent creep at peak stresses. Development of advanced constitutive models helps in improving accuracy and fidelity in prediction of stress and strain redistribution in engine components during service. The redistributed stresses and strains are parameters that are used to assess the useful life of a component. Models for predicting component lives are developed from specimen coupon tests, the results of which embody stress redistribution according to at least one of the phenomena mentioned above. …more

Active: 01/01/10 - 12/12/12

Sponsored by: Honeywell International, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan

Dynamometer Testing of Railroad Locomotive Engines 2010-33

The primary objectives of the proposed study are to: (1) Demonstrate a methodology for using a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) in combination with an engine dynamometer used for performance testing in order to obtain useful data regarding engine emissions; (2) Measure exhaust gas concentrations of CO2, CO, HC, NO, and PM during a sequence of parametric tests in order to provide a comparative basis for assessing the effect of fuels, injectors, and engine parameter settings with respect to emissions; and (3) Develop baseline emission factors for the tested EMD 710 engines in units of g/sec, g/gallon, and g/bhp-hr that may be used as a basis for comparisons in future work or with other engine emissions data. …more

Active: 01/20/10 - 03/31/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey

Arbitrarily Wide Angle Wave Equations: New Constructs for Subsurface Imaging, Unbounded Domain Analysis and Multiscale Modeling of Solids

OVERVIEW: One-way wave equations are mathematical constructs that allow propagation of waves traveling in a range of angles as opposed to the range allowed by full wave equations. This ability of One-way wave equations to allow propagation of waves in a specified direction, while suppressing their propagation in the opposite direction has been exploited in various applications including wave-based imaging algorithms (used in seismic imaging and nondestructive testing), modeling of long-range propagation (in ocean acoustics), wave propagation modeling in unbounded domains, and multiscale modeling of solids (phonon-absorbing boundary conditions for coupling molecular dynamics with continuum models). While the existing one-way wave equations are already well developed for acoustic media, they are not as robust or as efficient for more complicated, elastic media. However, a new series of one-way wave equations called the Arbitrarily Wide-angle Wave Equations (AWWEs) (recently developed by the PI and his coworkers) have been shown to be highly efficient and easily applicable to complicated elastic media. The main goal of this proposal is to further develop AWWEs and make them applicable to a wide range of important problems. INTELLECTUAL MERIT: Unlike the existing one-way wave equations, which are derived only for acoustics and special cases of elasticity, AWWEs can be derived for more complicated media where the full wave equation has second-order derivatives in space (this includes wave propagation in general anisotropic, viscous and porous elastic media). AWWEs are highly efficient and have the flexibility to represent various types of propagating and evanescent waves. Furthermore, AWWEs have a simple form and are amenable to easy implementation. However, a straightforward implementation of AWWE leads to instabilities for elastic media (this is true of many existing elastic one-way wave equations). Stability of AWWEs is application-dependent and the proposed effort is aimed at devising stable AWWEs that can be used for various applications including, (a) imaging in heterogeneous and anisotropic elastic media, (b) analysis of wave propagation in unbounded elastic domains that are heterogeneous and/or anisotropic, and (c) phonon-absorbing boundary conditions for molecular dynamics. The study will build on existing stability analyses from the fields of ocean acoustics and absorbing boundary conditions, with the goal of linking them and devising a unified approach that would be useful for a wide range of applications. The resulting stabilized AWWEs would be implemented and tested in the above-discussed settings to ensure their robustness. BROADER IMPACTS: Successful completion of the proposed project would facilitate the solution of several problems in important areas of engineering and physics. They are (a) seismic inversion: accurately locating hidden oil reservoirs; (b) seismology: accurate modeling of wave scattering and focusing in complex geological basins; (c) soil-structure interaction: simulation of complex response of structures embedded in unbounded soil during earthquakes; (d) nondestructive evaluation: characterizing hidden cracks with the help of laser-ultrasonics; (e) military applications: accurate detection and characterization of buried mines. Furthermore, the proposed work has applications in other diverse areas such as modeling optical circuits, synthetic aperture sonar and medical imaging. Finally, the project includes a graduate education component (thus contributing to the human resources development for computational mathematics), and the development of instructional modules for wave propagation and multiscale modeling (thus contributing to broader education in mechanics). IN CLOSING, it is envisioned that the proposed effort would lead to new computational methods that would have long-term impact on a wide range of important problems in engineering and physics. …more

Active: 09/15/10 - 08/31/13

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Murthy N. Guddati

Collection and Synthesis of Existing Data into a Model to Assess Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Biodegradable Materials Discarded to Landfills

To enable innovation of new renewable materials and manage greenhouse gas (GHG) issues associated with existing biodegradable materials discarded to landfills, it is important to have the ability to accurately determine a material?s actual contribution to GHG production and release to the environment. Such knowledge will ultimately drive better decisions regarding the development of specific materials that truly reduce the carbon footprint of Procter and Gamble?s (PG?s) products and packaging materials. Reliable information on the carbon footprint of materials that are produced by P&G will also enable P&G to make appropriate claims with respect to environmental performance. The objective of this proposal is to develop a spreadsheet model that will enable assessment of the environmental footprint of both new and existing biodegradable materials associated with their end of life disposal in a landfill. …more

Active: 02/08/10 - 03/31/11

CAREER: Climate Informed Uncertainty Analyzes for Integrated Water Resources Sustainability

Inability to maintain proper water quality in natural systems could result not just from excessive point and non-point source loadings, but also from ill-conceived water allocation policies. Given that seasonal to interannual climatic variability modulates both precipitation and temperature, streamflow and river water quality and ecology may respond dramatically to the extremes of climate. We argue that by utilizing climate information, an adaptive approach to integrated water quantity and quality management could be developed which on continual application over long-term could result in improved water resources sustainability. The proposed CAREER-Development Plan (CDP) addresses two key research issues discussed by the National Research Council (NRC, 2001; 2002a): (a) to quantify the impacts of climate variability on water management (b) to explicitly quantify climatic uncertainties on streamflow and water quality and to incorporate them probabilistically into water management models. The proposed plan builds upon previous research by the PI on climate, streamflow forecasting and water management. …more

Active: 06/01/10 - 05/31/15

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam

Development of SMART Pavement Design Methodology

The primary objectives of this research are: (1) to develop low-noise, low-splash, warm-mix asphalt (WMA) mixtures to be used in SMART Highway in Korea using the viscoelastoplastic continuum damage (VEPCD) model and (2) to develop a SMART pavement design methodology and its associated manuals.

Active: 06/24/09 - 06/10/12

Sponsored by: Korea Expressway Corp. (fka. Korea Highway Corp.)

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Benjamin Underwood

An Investigation of the Effect of Ndesign Values on Performance of Superpave Mixtures

The main tool in the volumetric mix design is the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC). A satisfactory mix design is one that meets rigorous volumetric requirements at initial and design levels of gyrations (Ninitial and Ndesign, respectively). These levels are, in turn, determined by the total traffic, expressed in single equivalent single axle loads (ESALs), expressed on the pavement over its projected service life. Based on this criteria, it is expected that the SGC densification curves correlate with the pavement performance and, in particular, with permanent deformation. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

Predicting Camber, Deflection & Prestess Losses of Prestressed Concrete Members

This proposed extension is in response to the request of the steering committee at the project progress meeting of April 5, 2010. During the meeting, it was requested that the research team perform camber measurements and make observations on the various parameters affecting the camber of prestressed beams for at least four precast projects. The primary objectives of the extension are to monitor the effects of temperature at casting, curing method, detensioning, beam handling, storage conditions, and transport on the camber of box beams and cored slabs. The data gathered is expected to provide insight into the observed phenomena of variations in camber within the same casting bed and unexpected changes in camber during handling and transport. METHOD It is expected that each of the four precast projects selected for the study by NCDOT (per an e-mail from Mr. Galehouse on April 30, 2010) will require a minimum of two site visits?one at casting and one at shipment. Each site visit will be carried out by a team of two researchers consisting of either the PI or the Key Researcher and the graduate or the undergraduate student. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 03/31/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla, Paul Z. Zia

Measurement and Evaluation of Alternative Fuels and Technologies for a Passenger Rail Diesel Locomotive Prime Mover Engine

The NCDOT Rail Division operates passenger train service between Raleigh and Charlotte. NCDOT plans to have the prime mover engines of all three of its locomotives, NC 1755 and NC 1797 (F59s) and NC 1792 (GP40), rebuilt. At this time, American Motive Power (AMP) is completing a rebuild of the EMD 645 3,000 hp prime mover engine for the GP40. AMP has a 6,000 hp engine dynamometer facility that is capable of assessing the performance of the rebuilt engine. NCSU will deploy a Portable Emissions Measurement System (PEMS) at AMP?s shop in Dansville, NY to collect emissions data concurrent with the performance evaluation of the engine using the engine dynamometerAMP would like to compare the engine performance and emissions taking into account the following factors: (a) fuel; (b) fuel injector technology; (c) fuel injection timing; (d) air box pressure; (e) rack position; (f) after-cooler water; and (g) throttle notch position. AMP seeks assistance in measuring and characterizing relative changes in emissions during a parametric sequence of engine dynamometer tests. …more

Active: 05/22/09 - 08/15/09

Sponsored by: American Motive Power, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey

Behavior Of Hollow Steel Pipe Piles In Coastal Regions

This supplement is follow-up to an existing project funded by the Army Corps to study the behavior of spirally welded hollow steel pipe piles in coastal regtions. The work includes testing and analysis of full scale piles under the effects of reversed cyclic load conditions. The piles are intended for use in flood walls to be built in New Orleans by the Army Corps.

Active: 06/01/09 - 12/31/10

Sponsored by: US Army - Corps of Engineers

Principal Investigators:
Mervyn J. Kowalsky, James M. Nau, Tasnim Hassan

Monitoring the Behavior of Biogenic Organic Carbon in Bioreactor Landfills

The objective of this letter is to present a proposal entitled ?Monitoring the Behavior of Biogenic Organic Carbon in Bioreactor Landfills.? The objectives of this proposal are to: 1. demonstrate a method for the documentation of carbon sequestration at landfills. 2. implement a new analytical method for lignin. The reason that a new method is needed is because materials such as plastics, synthetic textiles and rubber all interfere with the current method, leading to artificially high lignin contents in refuse samples. This is problematic because the ratio of cellulose plus hemicellulose to lignin is used extensively to monitor solids biodegradation in landfills. …more

Active: 05/15/09 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Evaluation of Available Scale-up Approaches for the Design of Granular Activated Carbon Contactors

This project will evaluate scale-up approaches for granular activated carbon (GAC) columns for a suite of organic contaminants at low influent concentrations, The project will assess the efficacy of the rapid small-scale column test (RSSCT) approach and will also evaluate existing and develop new predictive mathematical models to predict the performance of full-scale and pilot-scale GAC columns. These results will allow utilities to choose the most appropriate RSSCT design for contaminants of interest. A further objective of the project is to recommend RSSCT design approaches that may become components of the current American Water Works Association GAC standard. …more

Active: 05/01/10 - 05/01/13

Sponsored by: University of Colorado - Boulder

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Framework for Mobile Source Emission Inventories

We will use field measurements, analyses of existing data, and novel approaches based on linking traffic simulation models to micro-scale emissions models for onroad vehicles to improve emissions inventories. This research will include a combination of measurement, modeling, and analysis techniques. We will develop and demonstrate new analysis techniques that can be generalized to state, regional, or national emission inventories. We will use field measurements to determine whether emission inventories represent real-world conditions. We will conduct multi-pollutant field studies to elucidate interactions between co-emitted pollutants that must be considered in emission inventories. We will use field data to characterize spatial and temporal variability of emissions from onroad vehicles at scales that support project-level assessments as well as area-wide inventories. …more

Active: 05/16/10 - 05/15/13

Sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Nagui M. Rouphail

Vulnerability of NC Coastal Watersheds to Climate Change and Variability

Two major factors affecting the health of watershed are basin-level land use changes due to civil infrastructure development, and anticipated changes in precipitation and temperature due to global climate change. Both influence changes in stormwater runoff that impacts hydrologic flows. As growth and development continue with inevitable climate change effects, we face a major challenge in regards to taking proactive measures for planning and managing watershed development while ensuring environmental sustainability by matching pre-impact and post-impact conditions. The vision of the proposed research is to develop a quantitative framework for evaluating environmentally sustainable runoff management strategies to effectively respond to impending impacts expected from locally induced land use changes and globally changing climate patterns. …more

Active: 07/01/09 - 09/30/11

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam

Streamflow Forecasting for the Lewis River basin, WA

This proposal outlines the scope and methodologies to be considered for developing streamflow forecasts for the Lewis River basin, WA. The main intent of the proposal will be towards: (a) Developing 7-day (168 hours) ahead streamflow forecasts into three major reservoirs on the Lewis River and updating the 7 days ahead streamflow forecasts daily to quantify the change in streamflow potential. (b) Developing 15-month ahead streamflow forecasts for Merwin reservoir and updating them monthly to quantify the change in streamflow potential. The study will explore both statistical and physical modeling for developing streamflow forecasts and will also investigate the utility in combining these two forecasts to develop a multimodel streamflow forecasts for the three reservoir sites (Swift, Yale and Merwin). …more

Active: 11/01/09 - 11/30/11

Effectiveness of Sub-Micrometer Sized Powdered Activated Carbon for the Combined Removal of Disinfection By-Product Precursors and Trace Organic Pollutants

The principal objective of the proposed research is to assess the effectiveness of sub-micrometer sized powdered activated carbon (PAC) for the combined removal of disinfection by-product (DBP) precursors and trace organic pollutants. Specific objectives include (1) evaluate the effects of PAC particle size on DBP precursor and micropollutant removal (as-received PACs versus sub-micrometer PACs derived from the as-received PACs), (2) identify physical and chemical PAC characteristics that are important for effective DBP precursor and micropollutant removal, and (3) evaluate the effectiveness of different process trains for DBP precursor, micropollutant, and PAC removal (conventional treatment, microsand-enhanced flocculation, ceramic microfiltration (MF) membranes preceded by coagulant addition). The proposed research will offer conventional surface water treatment plants with a potentially cost-effective treatment tool for meeting DBP standards that will require minimal capital investment. An expected side-benefit of sub-micrometer PAC treatment will be the effective removal of many trace organic contaminants such as taste and odor compounds, pesticides, and emerging organic contaminants. …more

Active: 10/01/09 - 05/01/13

Sponsored by: Water Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

NEESR CR, An Innovative Seismic Performance Enhancement Technique For Steel Building Beam-Column Connections

An innovative technique for improving seismic performance of steel beam-column connection with the advantages of the reduced beam section (RBS) connection, but with improved energy dissipation. Through a pilot study the concept is validated numerically at NC State University. This proposed research will conduct a systematic set of beam-column connection experiments for evaluating the novel seismic performance enhancement concept. The novel concept involves heat treating sections of beam flanges by exposing these sections to very high temperatures for certain amount of time before slow air cooling. Such heat treatment reduces the strength of steel in the heat treated areas of the flange. Consequently, under seismic loading plastic hinge develops at the heat treated beam section (HBS). Among the three moment resisting connections prequalified for special and intermediate moment frames by the 2005 AISC 358 standards, the reduced beam section (RBS) is the most popular because of its seismic performance and cost effectiveness. In the RBS connections, ?weakening? of the beam flanges induces plastic hinge away from the welds. In case of the HBS connections, plastic hinge develops at the heat treated beam section where steel strength is reduced by the heat treatment. As the beam flange dimensions, and the elastic and plastic moduli of steel are not altered in the HBS connection, the lateral and torsional buckling resistance of the HBS connection is higher than the RBS connection. Consequently, the HBS connections will dissipate a larger amount of energy with a minimum loss of strength or stiffness than the RBS connections. The proposed research will experimentally validate this novel seismic performance enhancement concept, and develop the design methodology for implementing the concept. The proposed research will conduct seven seismic experiments on the HBS beam-column connections to evaluate their seismic performance. The novel seismic performance enhancement technique will be validated on the welded unreinforced flange-bolted web (WUF-B) connection and hence an additional experiment on WUF-B connection (without heat treatment) will be conducted for reference. Strains, displacements and rotations at various locations will be recorded for investigating both the local and global failure mechanisms of the HBS connections. In the first step, a set of monotonic and cyclic material experiments on heat treated coupons will be conducted. The material coupons will be heat treated by exposing to various peak temperatures in the range of 800-1150oC and two hold times at peak temperatures. This set of material data will be analyzed to quantify the influence of heat treatment on material responses and used to determine the constitutive model parameters of the Chaboche model in ANSYS. A series of finite element analyses of the HBS connection using the Chaboche nonlinear kinematic hardening model will be performed to determine the optimum heat treatment parameters: i) maximum temperature and hold time, and ii) length of the heat treated flange section and, and iii) offset of the heat treated section from the column flange. The seismic performance of the HBS connection with i) both the top and bottom flanges are heat treated (new construction), and ii) only the bottom flange is heat treated (existing building) will be evaluated experimentally. Finally, based on the experimental and finite element analysis data a design methodology for the novel HBS connection will be developed. …more

Active: 01/01/10 - 12/31/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan

Comparison of Heavy Duty Diesel Vehicle Energy Use and Emissions For a Nanotechnology Fuel Additive

The goal of this project is to conduct field measurements on three trucks with nFuel that will be supplied by Nanostar Advanced Technologies. A vehicle owner, the North Carolina Department of Transportation, will apply the nFuel to the truck fuel in accordance with instructions from Nanostar Advanced Technologies, including the required breakin period needed before conducting field measurements. The fuel for use in this study is soy-based B20 biodiesel that NCDOT obtains from a reliable supplier subject to certification that the blend stock used in the fuel conforms to the applicable ASTM standard. testing. One of the three trucks tested nearly two years ago is no longer in regular service. The results from the comparison tests with nFuel to the baseline tests without nFuel will be used to assess the change in energy use and emissions attributable to the presence of nFuel. These changes will be estimated for selected operating modes of each truck and for typical duty cycles. The general technical approach for this project involves five major steps: (1) preparation for field data collection; (2) field data collection; (3) quality assurance and quality control; (4) data analysis; and (5) reporting. …more

Active: 05/16/09 - 08/15/09

Sponsored by: Nanostar Advanced Technologies

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey

DDDAS-TMRP (Collaborative Research): An adaptive cyberinfrastructure for threat management in urban water distribution systems (PI Transfer to NCSU)

Active: 06/15/08 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: University of South Carolina

Principal Investigators:
Kenneth Watson Harrison

Collaborative Research Thru NSF I/UCRC Full Grant: Center For the Integration of Composites Into Infrastructure (CICI)

Efficient infrastructure systems such as highways, bridges, buildings, pipelines, flood control systems and utilities are all necessary for a healthy economy and comfortable standard of living. Concrete and steel are the backbones of physical infrastructure. It is envisioned that the proposed Center will focus on new research concerning: 1) development of constituent material combinations for optimum end products, 2) cost-effective ways to manufacture products, 3) ?green? production, including the use of bio-fiber and resins and industrial byproducts, 4) further development and application of standard test procedures, guide-specifications, design methods and rapid, modular construction techniques in addition to continuing research started by RB2C concerning the development of innovative and sustainable structural materials and systems for infrastructure applications, renewal of existing infrastructure , load testing and assessment of constructed facilities, and structural health monitoring and prognostics. The center activities will enhance the international competitiveness of the American industry in the area of composites including modular construction and rapid deployment techniques using natural and bio-materials; thus reducing carbon emissions into the atmosphere. For example, the advanced composite systems to be developed by the center for emergency conditions such as natural disasters could be implemented in other parts of the world. The Nation as a whole would benefit as composite use would, in general, lead to structures of higher safety, shorter construction times and longer life spans at a reduced overall cost, and the creation of new job opportunities and industrial sectors. Member companies and end users will also benefit from the interaction with others in their field as they become familiar with technologies used outside their own domains of practice. All companies in the composites and construction communities will benefit from the highly trained undergraduate and graduate students. In addition to the publishing of journal articles and conference presentations to promote the scientific research and knowledge dissemination, a tenet of the proposed center will be to educate practicing engineers and end users who are not familiar with composites, but could make great use of their unique properties in conjunction with traditional materials, by learning techniques on design, manufacturing, construction and repair. …more

Active: 07/15/09 - 06/30/14

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

DHS Homeland Security HS-STEM Career Development Grants (CDG)

The purpose of this proposal is to establish a graduate research fellowship program to train students to be future leaders in the area of engineering of resilient civil infrastructure systems for coastal regions considering natural hazards. This program will be conducted in coordination with the ongoing DHS Center of Excellence on Natural Disasters, Coastal Infrastructure and Emergency Management.

Active: 09/30/09 - 09/29/12

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Homeland Security (DHS)

Principal Investigators:
Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan, Earl D. Brill, Mohammed A. Gabr, Margery F. Overton, Rudolf Seracino, John W. Baugh, George F. List, Alixandra Demers

Alternative Water & Waste Management Processes for Local Governments Study

The ultimate goal of this study is to identify cost-effective wastewater treatment and disposal technologies available to small municipalities in NC with populations ranging in size from 500 to 5,000. The immediate objective is to conduct an assessment of the various swine technologies previously studied at NCSU, as well as various new and emerging treatment and disposal technologies and decentralized strategies, with a goal of identifying and ranking those systems with the highest potential of success for treating domestic wastewater from small rural communities. Since different communities have different treatment goals and different permit requirements, efforts will be made to identify systems that meet these different objectives. …more

Active: 12/10/08 - 09/30/09

Sponsored by: NC Rural Economic Development Center

Principal Investigators:
Charles M. Williams, Sarah K. Liehr, Kelly D. Zering, Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

Development of a Seismic Fragility Methodology for Nuclear Power Plant Structures

The purpose of this study is to develop and implement a generally applicable seismic fragility methodology for structural components and systems. The study will develop an approach that provides a closer integration of the characterization of earthquake ground motions and the performance of critical facilities. As the recent experience at the Kashiwazaki-Kariwa nuclear power plant during last July?s earthquake demonstrated, there is considerable margin in the design of well-built nuclear power facilities. Our job as researchers is to develop methods that provide a ?best?, neither conservative nor unconservative, assessment of the expected performance of these facilities. This research will develop an approach that takes advantage of Kajima structural analysis capabilities and integrates an improved characterization of earthquake ground motions with a detailed reliability analysis of structure performance. …more

Active: 12/01/08 - 09/30/10

Sponsored by: Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE)

Principal Investigators:
Abhinav Gupta

Evaluation of Continuous Flow Ultraviolet Light Emitting Diode Reactors

The proposed research plan seeks to integrate bench-scale and pilot-scale experimental and numerical techniques for comprehensive characterization of an ultraviolet light emitting diode (UV LED) continuous flow reactor. Data from bench and pilot scale experiments will provide the necessary information to develop and validate a computational fluid dynamics (CFD) model of a UV LED disinfection system. The validated CFD model will be combined with a heuristic optimization routine to develop an efficient continuous flow UV LED system based on a desired optimality criteria (i.e., minimize the total power input while achieving the required effluent log inactivation or maximize the effluent log inactivation given a target total power input). Overall, this research will allow engineers to determine whether UV LED based continuous flow UV reactor systems can achieve high disinfection system efficiencies and offer an alternative technology that replaces mercury vapor UV lamps. The acceptance of UV as an effective disinfection process for treating drinking water sources and its potential use in water reuse applications have led to considerable growth over the last 10 years. Such growth has ignited researchers to look at not only improving the effectiveness of UV reactor designs but also performing research to discover novel ways to increase the power output of low pressure lamps, improve the efficiency of low and medium pressure lamps, increase the lamp operating life, and develop new UV emission sources. However, a majority of the UV lamp technology contain mercury, which is considered hazardous waste and poses environmental and public health threats if not properly disposed or if lamps are broken. Lamp breakage may occur during the transportation or installation of the lamps within the treatment process as well as by a foreign object strike while the UV system is in operation. Other UV light technologies that have emerged (i.e., pulsed and excimer lamps and UV LEDs), which do not contain mercury. However, little research has been performed with UV LEDs to assess their capabilities as an effective UV emission light source within continuous flow UV systems. This research program proposes to examine the UV disinfection efficiency of UV LED based continuous flow reactors by 1) performing collimated beam experimental tests that determine the UV response of target non-pathogenic microorganisms and fluorescence microspheres at multiple UV LED wavelengths, 2) developing a numerical model that describes the UV LED light distribution, UV dose distribution, and microbial log inactivation of continuous flow UV LED reactors, 3) performing pilot scale experiments on a UV LED reactor over a range of flows and UV transmittance to validate numerical models, and 4) developing an optimal UV LED reactor based on the output from a combined optimization routine and CFD model. Intellectual Merit: The proposed research represents one of the first comprehensive and direct efforts to quantify the disinfection performance of a distributed point light source within a continuous flow UV reactor that may lead to improved disinfection efficiencies without geometric constraints due to incorporation of a cylindrical light source. Previous studies have only investigated UV LEDs with bench scale tests to assess either log inactivation of a strain of E-coli or the degradation of phenol under advance oxidation conditions with peroxide. The proposed study is a necessary first step to evaluating this alternative UV light source as a benign replacement to the current mercury vapor UV lamps. Broader Impacts: This project will contribute to the education of one Ph.D. and one MS student in Environmental Engineering. These students will be selected from the pool of applicants to the Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering (CCEE) Department, with special consideration for applicants from under-represented groups. The graduate students will be extensively involved in all areas of research: 1) experimental design, setup, and execution, 2) development an …more

Active: 09/01/09 - 08/31/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Joel J. Ducoste

US-Tunisia Cooperation For Next Generation Material Model Development

The main objective of this proposed visit is to discuss and finalize research cooperation between Profs. Hassan and Sai?s group on developing material models for simulating a broad set of low-cycle fatigue (LCF) failure responses of stainless steel (SS) 304. Using the proposed travel grant, Hassan from North Carolina State University will visit Sai at Ecole Nationale d?Ingénieurs de Sfax, Tunisia (National Engineering School of Sfax, Tunisia). Their past two years of research cooperation over email communications have evaluated two advanced constitutive models against a set of LCF failure responses of stainless steel (SS) 304. One of the constitutive models is the nonlinear kinematic hardening rule (macroscopic) model, developed by Hassan?s group over the last eight years that demonstrated a reasonable success in simulating the SS304 responses. The limitation identified for this model was that it can only simulate the class of material responses which were used in the parameter determination. The other constitutive model evaluated was the multiscale model developed by Sai?s group for simulating the same set of fatigue responses. This model was deficient in simulating the fatigue responses. Further improvement of these models is warranted to meet the need of a robust material model for designing economical and sustainable power generation and chemical plants, offshore structures, buildings and bridges. Towards that direction, Hassan and Sai?s forty years of material modeling experience will be combined and their modeling ideas will be exchanged for developing the next generation material models. Hassan?s group will provide the material responses for model development and validation. …more

Active: 09/15/09 - 08/31/10

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan

Particle-Scale Studies of Soil-Structure Interaction

The work will be focused on particle-scale modeling of soil-structure interaction. This is relevant to NASA interests in the areas of planetary colonization and exploration. It is not currently possible to perform laboratory or field-scale tests on granular materials from rock-based extraterrestrial bodies. However, it may be possible to acquire small samples that could be characterized at the particle scale. Results from these particle-level tests could be used for numerical modeling in support of rover, lander, and structure designs. This modeling will be the focus of my work. …more

Active: 03/15/09 - 05/15/10

Sponsored by: NCSU NC Space Grant Consortium

Principal Investigators:
Timothy Matthew Evans

Guidelines on the Use of Auxiliary Through Lanes at Signalized Intersections

Auxiliary through lanes (ATLs) are applied at signalized intersections to increase intersection and corridor capacity. For the purpose of this project, ATLs are defined as limited length lanes additional to through lanes upstream and downstream of an intersection (per the Request for Proposals for this project), as illustrated in the FHWA's Signalized Intersections: Informational Guide. This project will produce operational and safety analysis methods and design guidelines to assist transportation professionals in the evaluation and design of ATLs. …more

Active: 02/26/09 - 06/30/11

Sponsored by: Kittelson & Associates, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Nagui M. Rouphail, Joseph E. Hummer

Regulation and Modeling of Lignin Biosynthesis

Lignin is a unique and complex phenylpropanoid polymer, important in plant development and response to environment. We propose to advance our knowledge of lignin biosynthesis by developing a comprehensive pathway model of regulatory and metabolic flux control mechanisms. Our primary tool will be systematic gene specific perturbation in transgenic Populus trichocarpa. We will perturb all 34 known lignin pathway and regulatory network genes in P. trichocarpa using artificial microRNA (amiRNA) and RNAi suppression. From each independent transgenic perturbation, we will obtain quantitative information on transcript and protein abundance, enzyme kinetics, metabolite concentrations, and lignin structural chemistry. Using statistical correlation and path analysis, we will integrate this information to develop a mechanistic-based signaling graph and metabolic flux model for the pathway and its regulation leading to specific lignin structures. This model will reveal regulatory constraints on steady-state flux distributions and show how genes and other process components affect flux activity of lignin precursors, composition, and linkages. In this way, we will provide a systems biology approach to this fundamental pathway. There are few opportunities in higher plants to integrate genomics, biochemistry, chemistry and modeling to develop a comprehensive understanding of biosynthesis and structure of a major component of morphology and adaptation. …more

Active: 09/15/09 - 08/31/13

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Vincent Chiang, Ronald R. Sederoff, Joel J. Ducoste, Fikret Isik, David C. Muddiman, Cranos Williams, Christopher P. Smith, Reza A Ghiladi

Multiaxial Creep-fatigue and Creep-ratcheting Failures of Grade 91 Steel for Addressing Design Issues of Next Generation Reactor Pressure Vessel NEUP

The proposed research will develop systematic sets of uniaxial and multiaxial data at high temperature (850-950oC), including creep-fatigue and creep-ratcheting, for Alloy 617, a primary candidate material for the intermediate heat exchanger (IHX) in next generation nuclear plants (NGNP). This set of experimental results will provide data for updating the ASME-NH Code Case for Alloy 617. A unified constitutive model (UCM) will be developed and validated based on these experimental results. Validation of the UCM for both the uniaxial and multiaxial fatigue failures will ensures robustness for design-by-analysis methodology according to subsection NH. The earlier ASME Code Case draft of Alloy 617 was developed based on tensile and creep data, and limited creep-fatigue data. Hence, developing additional high temperature failure data and a UCM is given very high priority by the NGNP project. A DOE, ORNL, INL and ASME collaborative effort initiated ten tasks for addressing ASME Code issues for Gen IV reactors. The tasks on addressing creep-fatigue, ratcheting, and the inelastic design-by-analysis method using a UCM are ranked very high priority. Similar to creep, at high temperature, it is important to design components against ratcheting failure. Hence, this proposed research plans sets of uniaxial and multiaxial experiments that involve creep-fatigue-ratcheting interactions. The experimental responses of Alloy 617 will be scrutinized in order to quantify the influence of creep on fatigue and ratcheting failures. The loading histories prescribed in the multiaxial experiments mimic the loading histories at critical structural locations. Thus, the UCM developed and validated from multiaxial responses will simulate structural responses more accurately. Design-by-analysis methodology based on such a UCM will reduce conservatism in the design. However, developing such a UCM will require incorporation of various modeling features, such as: strain-range dependence, erasure of memory or subsequent cyclic softening, multiaxial ratcheting parameter, and loading nonproportionality. These model features are not available in the finite element software, ANSYS and ABAQUS, which severely limits modeling capabilities and the ability to design the IHX. Integrating multiple modeling features in a UCM model is a difficult task, however accomplishing such a UCM will allow safe, economical, and sustainable design of NGNPs. Hence, this proposed project will develop a robust UCM based on the nonlinear kinematic hardening model of Chaboche. Such a model will have a large number of interdependent parameters, which are difficult to determine manually. Hence, a genetic algorithm based parameter optimization scheme will be developed to facilitate the use of the UCM by designers and regulators. Finally, the UCM to be developed will be implemented into ANSYS and ABAQUS for high temperature nuclear design applications. Three graduate students and one junior researcher will experience NGNP design development through this research, which will prepare them to lead the profession into the future. …more

Active: 10/01/09 - 09/30/14

Sponsored by: Battelle Energy Alliance, LLC

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan

GRIDc II:Green Research for Incorporating Data in the Classroom Phase 2

Supplemental funds are requested to cover the travel expenses of the two day NSF sponsored Educational Technology Showcase held at the Foundation and on Capitol Hill, November 3-4, 2009. This NSF funded Grid-C II project was one of the projects invited to highlight the work on technology in STEM education. Project funds were approved and used for this unexpected invitational event. A supplement is requested to defray these unexpected travel costs to the project. …more

Active: 09/15/09 - 08/31/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
V. William DeLuca, Aaron Clark, Joseph F DeCarolis, Pam Page Carpenter, Leonard Annetta

RB2C Core Project 4 - Validation of Shear and Bond Behavior of Engineered Light-Weight Concrete

Validation of Shear and Bond Behavior of Engineered Light-Weight Concrete - RB2C Core Project 4

Active: 11/01/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin

Revised per sponsor to reflect reduction in period of performance with reduction in costs.

Active: 10/16/09 - 08/15/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Margery F. Overton

Preliminary Engineering Cost Trends for Highway Projects

This research will study how to accurately estimate Preliminary Engineering (PE) costs for NCDOT highway projects. The goals of this research are to have a comprehensive study of the factors affecting NCDOT PE costs, to build a data query tool containing 10 years of NCDOT highway project characteristics and PE cost information, and to build tools to help NCDOT estimate PE costs accurately and efficiently. Due to funding source limitations, achieving these goals is critical for the NCDOT because PE costs are a large portion of overall project costs. For example, 2007 NCDOT bridge project data show that PE cost percentage of total project expenses (including ROW, construction, and PE) can vary over 15 percentage points from an average of about 20%. The lack of predictability in PE costs in the early stage of project development means that budgets are often insufficient, which compromises the ability of the NCDOT to deliver its entire planned transportation program and erodes public confidence in the agency. The team will begin the research by developing a comprehensive list of factors affecting PE cost based on a literature review and NCDOT project data. Secondly, the team will conduct a statistical analysis of past NCDOT highway projects to identify the factors that have significant impacts on PE costs in the Planning and the Design Preconstruction areas. Data will be grouped by numerous factors including project type, project complexity, year, whether the PE was conducted in-house or by a consultant, etc. The average and range of variation for each group will be calculated. Thirdly, the team will build a data query tool containing 10 years of NCDOT highway project information to provide average and range on PE cost percentage of previous similar. Fourthly, the team will build a fuzzy neural network tool for PE cost ratio estimation. The inputs into the tool will be descriptions of project characteristics and the outputs of the tool will be estimated ratio of PE cost to total project cost. Finally, guidelines for NCDOT highway project PE cost estimation will be developed. The guidelines will include a checklist of important factors to be considered in PE cost estimation, a convenient estimation tool, a sensitivity analysis of those factors, and estimated ranges of variations of PE costs on previous similar NCDOT projects. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 12/31/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Min Liu, Joseph E. Hummer, William J. Rasdorf

Fog Seal Effectiveness For Bituminous Surface Treatments

At this time, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) does not use fog seals in conjunction with its chip seal operation. Recognizing the significant proportion of chip seal pavements in the NC highway network and that the main problem with chip seals is loose stone, it is deemed important to investigate the potential of fog seals as a cost-effective method of improving the performance of chip seals. This proposal presents a research plan based on the laboratory and field testing of chip seals with and without fog seals to develop an optimal plan for using fog seals in North Carolina chip seal operations. Various test methods that have been developed at North Carolina State University (NCSU) for its chip seal research will provide effective means of evaluating the performance of fog seals under various testing conditions. The findings from these performance tests will be used to develop a fog seal manual that can be used by Division Bituminous Supervisors. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 12/31/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Measurement and Evaluation of Fuels and Technologies for Passenger Rail Service in North Carolina

This project will include the following tasks: (1) railyard measurement of fuel use and emission rates on the rebuilt or replaced engines on each locomotive, using ultra low sulfur diesel (ULSD) fuel and B20; (2) measurement real-world in-use ?over-the-rails? activity, fuel use, and emissions for service between Raleigh and Charlotte; (3) assessment of the avoided fuel use and emissions from substitution of rail service for highway vehicle trips; and (4) evaluation of the energy use and emissions implications of B20 versus ULSD using a life cycle inventory approach. The results of this project will enable the Rail Division to accurately assess the fuel use and emissions benefits of the engine rebuilds and replacements, the use of alternative fuel, and of passenger rail service compared to the avoided highway vehicle usage. These data can be used to identify priorities for further emission reductions measures, if needed, and to claim credit for the energy and environmental benefits of rail transportation. These data and information will be useful to the Rail Division as the basis for determining the energy and emissions benefits of B20 and of rail versus highway transportation and, thus, as an input to prioritizing future activity pertaining to asset management and community relations. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 08/15/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Alexander O. Hobbs

Causes of Fatigue Cracking in North Carolina

This project will examine issues related to the volumetric design, specifications, quality assurance and lay-down operations that most significantly affect the fatigue cracking potential of asphalt concrete pavements in North Carolina. Specific designs and procedures that produce fatigue prone mixtures will be identified, and recommendations to remedy these conditions will be suggested. Although particular attention will be paid to the processes that produce systematically dry asphalt concrete mixtures, other factors, including structural design, aggregate structure and the interaction of aggregate and asphalt, will also be explored. …more

Active: 08/16/09 - 08/15/12

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Fate of Fats, Oils, and Grease (FOG) Deposit Forming Precursors in Sewer Systems

Despite the central role that FOG deposits play in sanitary sewer overflows, very little is known about the mechanisms of FOG deposit formation in sanitary sewers. Ongoing research in our laboratory, funded by WRRI and the Urban Water Consortium, is currently assessing the effects of kitchen wastestream water characteristics on the rate of FOG deposit formation. As part of this research, we have built a pilot-scale system combined with direct closed-circuit imaging to determine the rate of FOG deposit formation. We then conducted batch tests to determine the unique set of wastewater characteristics that will lead to the greatest potential of forming FOG deposits in the pipe loop system. This ongoing project promises to lead to results that will help in quantification of the rate of FOG deposit formation, and evaluate the impact of oil type and food grinder solids. …more

Active: 03/01/09 - 02/28/11

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II, Joel J. Ducoste

Protecting Receiving Waters: Removal of Biochemically Active Compounds from Wastewater by Ozonation and Activated Carbon Adsorption Processes

The goal of the proposed research is to develop two advanced wastewater treatment strategies (ozonation and activated carbon adsorption) that, when applied individually, are expected to provide (cost-) effective barriers against the release of BACs into North Carolina surface waters. Benefits of the proposed research include not only improved habitat for aquatic life, but also improved water quality for drinking water treatment plants that rely on surface water sources impacted by upstream WWTP discharges. The objectives of this research are (1) to measure BAC oxidation kinetics during ozonation of NC wastewater matrices and determine ozone doses required to achieve a one order of magnitude transformation of model BACs and (2) to identify suitable powdered activated carbon (PAC) types and effective PAC addition points in wastewater treatment plants and determine PAC doses that yield a one order of magnitude removal of model BACs. …more

Active: 03/01/09 - 12/31/10

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe, Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

Seasonal Streamflow Forecasts for the Hydrologic Unit Code (HUC-8) Basins in North Carolina utilizing Multimodel Climate Forecasts

The proposed research intends to capitalize on the recent efforts in developing seasonal streamflow forecasts for the Neuse basin3,6 funded by the NC WRRI. The proposed study will develop seasonal streamflow forecasts, primarily for the winter (January-March) and summer (July-September) seasons, at the HUC-8 basins by downscaling the climate forecasts available from various centers. Downscaled streamflow forecasts expressed as tercile categories (below-normal, normal and above-normal) will be made available through the State Climate Office of NC website for dissemination. We intend to disseminate both downscaled retrospective (1970-2008) streamflow forecasts and real-time streamflow forecasts (to be developed during the 2009 summer and 2010 winter seasons) through the NC Climate Retrieval and Observations Network of the Southeast (NC CRONOS) database. For HUC-8 basins that receive streamflow primarily from controlled releases or from upstream reservoirs (e.g., lower Cape Fear), the study will provide tercile forecasts of precipitation downscaled from climate models. …more

Active: 03/01/09 - 02/28/11

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam, Ryan Boyles

Climate Information Based Urban Water Supply and Energy Management in Greater Horn of Africa

Seasonal to Interannual Climate Forecasts (SICF) has the potential to improve short-term water management by developing strategies that reduce the vulnerability of water supply systems during extreme years. A wide spectrum of the population in GHA will benefit not only from improved urban water supply utilizing SICF, but also from increased energy availability since most of the reservoir systems are multipurpose. The methodology proposed here is transferable not only to Kenya and GHA but also to other geographic areas where the skill of SICF is significant, particularly in the South Eastern US, Indonesia and North East Brazil. By utilizing NOAA?s Climate Forecast System (CFS) products for downscaling to streamflow over the Tana River basin in Kenya, this application provides a great opportunity to showcase NOAA?s forecasting capabilities and its derived benefits. …more

Active: 08/01/09 - 07/31/12

Sponsored by: National Oceanic & Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) - National Ocean Service

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam, Fredrick H. Semazzi, Luther Hatch

RB2C Membership Agreement

Membership agreement

Active: 11/01/08 - 06/30/10

Effect of Load History on Performance Limit States of Bridge Columns

Prime Abstract - There are two related problems addressed in this research: (1) Currently, structural engineers utilize concrete and steel strain limit states that have minimal experimental or theoretical basis. While the strain limits that are typically utilized attempt to account for cyclic loading, there is no current basis for their selection. Furthermore, the strain limits typically proposed do not consider the effects of temperature. Lastly, while strain limits that occur early in the non-linear range are well established (i.e. serviceability limit state), the strain limits which define maximum structural capacity are less well defined. Most well detailed modern reinforced concrete sections fail by buckling of reinforcement, a limit state which is still ill-understood. (2) In design, engineers relate strains to displacement via monotonic section analysis, however, earthquakes impose cyclic loading on structural systems. As a result, strain limits that are currently utilized can be correlated to different displacement limits depending on the load history the structure is subjected to. As a result, there is a pressing need to (1) Propose strain limit states that account for low temperature effects and regional seismic load histories, and (2) Develop an approach to allow AKDOT engineers to easily relate proposed strain limits to target displacements for design. …more

Active: 11/25/08 - 06/30/13

Sponsored by: Alaska Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Mervyn J. Kowalsky, James M. Nau

Identifying and Quantifying Functionally Active Denitrifying Microbial Populations in Complex Environments Using Catabolic Gene Expression Analysis

The goal of this project is to develop and optimize a catabolic gene expression analysis system for monitoring functionally active microorganisms in complex environmental samples. The technique will involve sequential mRNA fluorescence in situ hybridization (mRNA FISH) followed by cell sorting by flow cytometry, allowing 16S rRNA gene analysis of the microbial populations actively transcribing the functional gene. The application will be on nitrate-, nitrite, nitric oxide, and nitrous oxide-reducing bacteria in activated sludge. …more

Active: 05/15/09 - 04/30/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

Multiple Tiered Methodology For Micro- to Macro-Scale Assessment of Plug-In Hybrid Electric Vehicles (M4-PHEVs)

This research will enable accurate assessment of the energy use and emissions of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs) at high spatial and temporal resolution, as well as at regional and national scales, using consistent data and coordinated approaches. The EU&E impacts will account for consumption of fossil fuels (gasoline, diesel), biofuels (ethanol, biodiesel), and electricity. The main objectives are to: (1) develop and demonstrate a micro-scale methodology for measuring and modeling the real-world activity, energy use, and emissions of PHEVs at high temporal and spatial resolution; (2) develop and demonstrate a methodology for quantifying the impact of electrical demand for PHEV recharging on regional and national power generation; (3) similarly, assess the impact of biofuel demand for biofueled PHEVs (B-PHEVs) on tailpipe and indirect emissions; and (4) apply the new multiple-tiered micro and macro-scale framework to a case study to demonstrate its applicability to technology assessment and policy planning. …more

Active: 10/01/09 - 09/30/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Joseph F DeCarolis

North Carolina Landfill Capacity Study for NC-SWANA

To examine variables affecting the twenty year projected solid waste disposal capacity in North Carolina from a geographic, demographic and regulatory perspective.

Active: 08/11/08 - 10/02/09

Sponsored by: Solid Waste Association of North America - North Carolina Chapter

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Establishing Monitoring Programs For Travel Time Reliability

The Institute for Transportation Research and Education (ITRE), in conjunction with Kittelson & Associates, Inc. (KAI), Berkeley Transportation Systems (BTS), the National Institute of Statistical Sciences (NISS), the University of Utah, and Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute (RPI) is pleased to submit this research proposal in response to SHRP 2 Project L02: Establishing Monitoring Programs for Travel Time Reliability. ITRE will be the overall lead institution and take responsibility for Phase I, developing the methodologies by which travel time reliability is monitored and assessed; KAI will lead Phase II, developing the Guidebook; and BTS will lead Phase III, spearheading the validation effort. As part of the SHRP 2 program, this project focuses on travel time reliability, helping operating agencies to develop systems ? hardware, software, and tactical strategies ? that enable them to better monitor travel time reliability and convey their findings to their customers and other data users. As the Request for Proposals (RFP) indicates, travel time reliability refers to the fact that travel times vary. For people or goods making similar trips within a specific time period between two points, there is an underlying distribution of travel time. People making trips respond to this variation in different ways as do those involved in shipping freight. For example, important trips like doctor visits and just-in-time freight deliveries require punctuality, so the driver (or freight dispatcher) needs to build extra time into the trip to ensure a high probability of arrival within an acceptable time window, for example being early or on-time 95% of the time (or on 19 out of 20 days). …more

Active: 03/18/09 - 05/17/12

Sponsored by: National Academy of Sciences

Principal Investigators:
George F. List, Billy M. Williams, Nagui M. Rouphail

Design Guidelines For Geosynthetic Moisture Barriers in Pavement Applications

The current geosynthetic guidelines used and developed by the FLHD come solely in standard specifications and special contract requirements. While some initial lab and field work has been conducted and reported in literature, the largest gaps in frost heave mitigation practice involve applying the results of the relatively few laboratory and field tests to model development and practice. The main objective of this study is to develop systematic recommendations to guide advancing the use of geosynthetic materials as moisture barriers in pavement sections, as well as in other situations such as swelling and collapsing foundation soils. To supplement the standards, a systematic approach for design of capillary/moisture barriers to mitigate frost heaving, using geosynthetics is proposed. …more

Active: 09/01/08 - 09/30/11

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Mohammed A. Gabr, Timothy Matthew Evans

All-Weather Paint for Work Zones Field Evaluation in North Carolina

3M has developed a new all-weather paint product designed for pavement marking applications in work zones. The product should reflect headlight beams back to drivers more effectively than conventional markings, particularly when the pavement is wet and the markings are covered in water. Last year 3M obtained funding under the FHWA ?Highways for Life Technology Partnership Program? to test the new marking material. The first phase of this testing, conducted in laboratory conditions, was completed in 2008. In 2009, 3M began the second phase of this testing, which is field testing in real work zones. The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) agreed to participate with 3M in the field test of the new product. Between 3M and the NCDOT, they will arrange to have the new marking installed at several work zones (on freeways or other higher-speed highway sites). The objective of this project, which began in March 2009, is to conduct the evaluation of the North Carolina field tests. This will include data collection at several work zone sites at night and in the rain, analysis of the data, and drawing conclusions about the effectiveness of the markings on influencing driver behavior in a positive way. To this point, data have been collected and analyzed from two NC sites. The purpose of this amendment (Amendment 2) is to provide the additional funds to allow data collection and analysis from a third NC site. This site will be NCDOT project B-4507 on US-421 in Forsyth County. Data collection for this project has been difficult because of the strict site selection criteria. Fortunately, the site is an ideal one for this project, meeting all of those criteria. Marking installation is expected in early May, 2011. After several weeks of data collection, hopefully with several rain events, the team can analyze the new data and submit the draft final report to 3M before the project end date of 8/31/11. Note that at this point, with FHWA and 3M concurrence, NCSU plans to submit a joint final report with Ohio University which is conducting a similar field test in Ohio. …more

Active: 03/01/09 - 11/30/11

Decision Support Tool Guidance Document for Management of Debris from Incidents of National Significance

Perform experiments to support the US EPA's program to evaluate safe disposal methods for contaminated building debris.

Active: 09/05/08 - 01/31/11

Sponsored by: Eastern Research Group, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Detlef R. Knappe, Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

DDDAS-TMRP (Collaborative Research): An adaptive cyberinfrastructure for threat management in urban water distribution systems (PI Transfer to NCSU)

The remainder of the work involves the parallel implementation of the Bayesian methods. The full remaining tasks are given below. Specifically, a parallel implementation of the Markov chain Monte Carlo method is to be developed and the results are to be disseminated; there is expected to be ultimate integration into the grid computing framework. To date, the testing of the methods have been implemented on a single networked computer. With this parallel implementation, it will be possible to further relax the assumptions so that an additional and rich set of problem features can be incorporated (alternate contaminant source profiles, multiple sensors, and additional sensor types). The work will be pursued as outlined in the original proposal; the key computational unit?an evaluation of the likelihood of the sensor data?will be distributed across multiple computers that are called by multiple computers running parallel MCMC chains. In addition, as specified in the proposal, local computer and tolerances for stopping criterion will be controlled to balance the tradeoff between accuracy and run times; the accuracy in identifying the best subsequent sampling location will be balanced against the need to quickly zero in on the contaminant source characterization. The work will then be integrated into the overall project codes/software in the Fall of 2008 with close coordination with project partners. …more

Active: 06/15/08 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Kenneth Watson Harrison, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

RB2C Administrative Account

The Research focuses on the needs of the construction industry in development of new and innovative structural components , new construction materials as well as strengthening/repair methods for existing structures using advanced composite materials.

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

2008/2009 RB2C Core Project 3 - Bio-Based Fiber-Reinforced Concrete

This project focuses on developing fiber-reinforced concrete (FRC) mix designs using a renewable natural fiber known as Kenaf, which is grown locally in North Carolina as a replacement for tobacco farming. The largest natural bast fiber processing plant in North America is dedicated to processing Kenaf fibers, and is located in Snow Hill, NC. Natural fibers have a complex structural composition comprised of hydrophilic cellulose fibers bound by hydrophobic/oleophilic lignin and gums. Hence, it is necessary to chemically treat the fibers using nanotechnologies to create a structured interphase and interface on the raw natural fibers that not only improves bond between the fibers and the cement paste, but also chemically modifies the fiber surface and sub-surface to improve long term durability. The chemical treatments of the fibers will be undertaken by industry partners Biotech Mills and 3F. Optimized mix designs will be explored at the Constructed Facilities Laboratory at NC State University to maximize strength and ductility of the concrete post-cracking, while maintaining characteristics of the wet and hardened concrete suitable for structural applications. The lower specific gravity of the natural fibers will also have the additional benefit of producing lighter-weight concrete. The typical material property characteristics will be characterized for the optimized mix designs. …more

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Rudolf Seracino

RB2C Core Project 2 - Innovative Steel Structures

A) Design of Optimized Light Gauge Steel Members and Structural Systems Load-bearing light steel framing (LSF) systems have gained good acceptance to the low to mid-rise construction market in the U.S. in recent years. This construction market covers a wide range of building usage, including apartment and office buildings, hotels, and schools. To accommodate higher design loads, heavier floor systems and the loads at the lower levels of mid-rise buildings, designers have been required to either use multiple (built-up) C-shaped studs or switch to structural steel members. An alternative to this method is to utilize optimized sigma-shaped section manufactured by The Steel Network, Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina named the SigmaStud?. The focus of this research is to investigate the strength and behavior of the new sigma-shaped sections to develop strength and serviceability design models. The testing and evaluation will be performed in accordance with the requirements of the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI) specification provisions and the ICC Evaluation Services (ICC-ES) Acceptance Criteria for Cold-formed Steel Members (AC 46). The first phase of this research will focus on evaluating the applicability of the AISI stub-column test method and the direct strength method to predict the axial compressive strength of the sigma shaped members. Axial compression tests will be conducted on selected cross sections of varying lengths to examine the primary failure modes. The tests will be coupled with analytical and FE modeling to further investigate the behavior of the sigma shaped cross sections. The second phase of this research will focus on the evaluation of the sigma shaped members in light framing systems. Full scale load bearing wall panels will be subjected to axial loading and combined axial and out of plane loading to examine the behavior of the members. The member size, length, and bracing will be varied to investigate the full range of parameters. b) Innovative Steel and Concrete Composite Members The development of lower cost, lighter weight framing systems is essential to the evolution of high-rise construction. An innovative steel-concrete composite system developed by DiversaKore has emerged as a leader in this area. The DiversaKore system utilizes a U-shaped steel section composite with cast-in-place concrete to create efficient light weight girders. These girders are typically used with hollow core precast planks or long span steel decking. The focus of this research is to evaluate the flexural and shear behavior of the DiversaKore system and to develop a procedure for design. The first phase of research will be to investigate the flexural strength of the composite beams. Single span tests will be conducted with varying parameters to determine the positive and negative bending strength of the members. Included in this phase will be the evaluation of the bond between the steel and concrete members. The second phase of research will focus on the evaluation of a three span continuous system. Tests will be conducted on a three span system to evaluate the serviceability and strength of the system. The performance during construction will also be considered as a part of this phase. The development of the design procedures will be conducted in accordance with applicable American Concrete Institute (ACI) and American Institute of Steel Construction (AISC) specifications. The end product will be presented in the form of a simple spreadsheet or program for use by practicing engineers. …more

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Emmett A. Sumner

An Integrated Approach to Understanding and Reducing Fat Oil and Grease (FOG) Deposit Formation for Sustainable Sewer Collection Systems

The proposed project seeks to understand and reduce the FOG deposits formation that lead to environmentally detrimental sanitary sewer overflows (SSO) in sanitary collection systems by achieving the following objectives: 1) perform detailed bench scale experimental tests that attempts to recreate FOG deposits and determine parameters that influence their formation rate, 2) develop numerical models that describes the FOG deposit formation kinetics, 3) perform bench scale tests to explore treatment methods to improve FOG deposit chemical precursor removal with grease interceptors, 4) perform pilot scale experiments on a sewer collection system that includes common piping structures, and 5) develop a modified EPA storm water management model (SWMM) to predict FOG deposit formation in sewer collection systems. Wastewater collection systems are an important part of meeting the Clean Water Act (CWA). Reducing FOG deposit formation in sewer collection systems will help reduce the occurrence of SSOs where grease deposits are the primary cause in 40 to 50% nationwide. SSOs introduce significant amounts of nutrients and emerging contaminants into river segments as well as pose a direct public health risk if spills occur on streets or in residential or commercial establishments. As identified in this solicitation, research is needed to develop efficient approaches to meet reliable and sustainable infrastructure goals, and to solve infrastructure related problems. Yet, no research exists that characterizes FOG deposit formation. The proposed project approach involves several tasks to achieve these objectives. Tasks associated with objective 1 seek to initiate saponification reactions with different concentrations of oils and fats over a range of temperatures, pH, calcium concentrations, and mixing intensities and assess the physical and chemical characteristics of the metal soap formed (i.e., moisture content, compressive strength, total oil and grease, mineral, and metal analysis, and fatty acid profiling). The data will be used to develop a FOG deposit kinetics model in objective 2. Final model selection and parameter estimation will be performed using Vanrollegham and Dochain (1998) selection and identifiability criterion. Tasks associated with objective 3 will consist of performing jar tests on restaurant waste streams using metal coagulants and polymers at different concentrations over a range of pH. Finally, tasks associated with Objectives 4 and 5 will measure the amount of FOG deposits formed at different locations in a pilot sewer collection system. The data from pilot tests will be used to validate a modified EPA SWMM FOG model that predicts FOG deposit formation. This study results are expected to provide new tools to assist utilities in meeting CWA requirements and provide better management of sewer collection systems. The EPA SWMM FOG model along with better knowledge of what influences and reduces the FOG deposit formation rate will also help utilities and design engineers assess the risk associated with the placement of new residential and commercial development on existing and future sewer collection infrastructure. …more

Active: 08/01/09 - 07/31/12

Sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Principal Investigators:
Joel J. Ducoste

Treatment Options for the Removal of Emerging Pollutants of Concern

The presence of biochemically active compounds (BACs) such as endocrine disrupting chemicals (EDCs), antimicrobial compounds, and other pharmaceutically active compounds in the aquatic environment is an issue of great importance. For example, EDCs can cause intersexuality in fish, and antimicrobial compounds may lead to the evolution of antibiotic-resistant bacteria. While it is unclear whether human health effects can be expected at the BAC concentrations commonly measured in drinking waters, the public is concerned about the presence of such compounds in their drinking water. Objectives of the proposed research are to (1) identify, through a review of the literature, potential human health and ecotoxicological effects associated with the presence of BACs in water and (2) assess, at the bench scale, the BAC removal effectiveness of drinking water treatment processes that are currently employed by North Carolina Urban Water Consortium (UWC) members (coagulation/flocculation/sedimentation, powdered activated carbon adsorption, oxidation with potassium permanganate, ozone, and free and combined chlorine). The goals of the proposed research include (1) setting BAC concentration targets for finished drinking water and (2) identifying opportunities for enhancing BAC removal with drinking water treatment processes currently employed at UWC member utilities. Results of the proposed research are expected to provide the information needed to (1) improve BAC removal from NC drinking water sources, (2) develop a communication plan that will inform the public about BAC removal efforts at UWC utilities, and (3) respond to potential future regulatory actions related to BAC removal from drinking water and wastewater. …more

Active: 01/15/09 - 01/14/11

Sponsored by: NCSU-WRRI Urban Water Consortium

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

RB2C Core Project 1 - Innovative Composite Material

The research focuses on the needs of the construction industry in development of new and innovative structural components , new construction materials as well as strengthening/repair methods for existing structures using advanced composite materials.

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

RB2C Membership

Design of Optimized Light Gauge Steel Members and Structural Systems Load-bearing light steel framing (LSF) systems have gained good acceptance to the low to mid-rise construction market in the U.S. in recent years. This construction market covers a wide range of building usage, including apartment and office buildings, hotels, and schools. To accommodate higher design loads, heavier floor systems and the loads at the lower levels of mid-rise buildings, designers have been required to either use multiple (built-up) C-shaped studs or switch to structural steel members. An alternative to this method is to utilize optimized sigma-shaped section manufactured by The Steel Network, Inc. of Raleigh, North Carolina named the SigmaStud?. …more

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/10

RB2C Membership

Innovative Steel and Concrete Composite Members The development of lower cost, lighter weight framing systems is essential to the evolution of high-rise construction. An innovative steel-concrete composite system developed by DiversaKore has emerged as a leader in this area. The DiversaKore system utilizes a U-shaped steel section composite with cast-in-place concrete to create efficient light weight girders. These girders are typically used with hollow core precast planks or long span steel decking. The focus of this research is to evaluate the flexural and shear behavior of the DiversaKore system and to develop a procedure for design. …more

Active: 10/15/08 - 06/30/10

RB2C Membership

Membership agreement

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/09

CAREER: Multi-Scale Interactions of Waves, Currents and Morphology With Application to Rip Currents

Coastal evolution has become even more a concern under the scenarios of rising global sea levels, changing climate and accelerating human activities. World-wide, coastal erosion is becoming a still more serious problem than it already is. Being in direct contact with the land, the hydrodynamics in the surf zone has significant influences on nearshore sediment transport, hence shoreline erosion, and on the transport and mixing that affect the water quality in coastal oceans and floodplains. Understanding of the complex dynamics of the nearshore hydro-morphodynamic system is clearly of fundamental relevance to the development of reliable predictive tools upon which science-based decisions on planning, management and mitigation rely to build a sustainable and resilient coastal environment. The proposed research aims to improve this understanding by investigating in depth the mutli-scale interactions among three key processes in the nearshore, i.e. waves, currents and sediment transport, with application to rip currents. This research is intrinsically suitable, thus will be used as an instrument, to develop a strong integrated program of research and education in Coastal Dynamics and Environmental Fluid Mechanics, a long-term goal of the PI?s overall career development plan at NC State University. …more

Active: 07/15/09 - 06/30/14

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Jie Yu

Enhanced Anaerobic Bioremediation using Soy Flour, Soy Protein Concentrate, and Lecithin

We have been studying the use of emulsified soybean oil for soil and groundwater remediation for several years. This research has dramatically improved our understanding of how soybean oil is distributed in the subsurface and how it stimulates pollutant biodegradation. In this project, we will evaluate the use of soy flour, soy protein concentrate, and lecithin as alternative materials for production of an emulsified soybean oil product for anaerobic bioremediation. …more

Active: 09/01/08 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: Smith, Bucklin & Associates, LLC

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Performance Evaluation of Polymer Modified Asphalt Surface Treatments

This project focuses on the performance of two polymer-modified emulsions in ASTs supplied by SemMaterials. Various laboratory test methods for the performance evaluation of ASTs will be used in a well controlled enviornment. The proposed experimental program for this study is summarized within the attached proposal.

Active: 08/15/08 - 02/14/09

Procedure for Curve Warning Signing, Delineation, and Advisory Speeds for Horizontal Curves

Horizontal curves are relatively dangerous features, with collision rates at least 1.5 times that of comparable tangent sections on average. There is a wide variety of traffic control devices available for horizontal curves, but the available guidance on applying devices to curves is quite general. Much discretion is left to field personnel, as the factors that matter in optimum device choices are too complex to distill into simple formulas or tables. The lack of guidance has led to great inconsistencies in the application of traffic control devices for horizontal curves throughout the state. Some of this inconsistency causes real problems in at least three ways, including confused and surprised motorists who often get in collisions, vulnerability to lawsuits, and wasted time and money. …more

Active: 08/16/08 - 08/15/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph E. Hummer, William J. Rasdorf

Superstreet Benefits and Capacities

Many arterials in NC and across the US operate very poorly these days. In suburban areas they are generally congested and in rural and suburban areas they experience far too many collisions, due in part to growing traffic demands that probably will not stop growing any time soon. Superstreets, part of a menu of unconventional arterial designs that this PI has worked on for the past 15 years, are a promising solution for arterials. They have the potential to move more vehicles efficiently and safely through the same arterial pavement as conventional arterials, at-grade, with minimal disruptions to the surrounding environment and businesses. The PI recommended superstreets to the NCDOT during a research project over 10 years ago. The NCDOT has had unsignalized superstreets?also called directional crossovers?in place in rural areas since 2000. The NCDOT just opened its first signalized version in a suburban area on US-17 in Brunswick County in June 2006. The NCDOT has also adopted the superstreet as an appropriate design for important segments of strategic highway corridors. …more

Active: 08/16/08 - 08/15/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Joseph E. Hummer, Christopher Michael Cunningham, Robert S. Foyle

Assessing Operational, Pricing, and Intelligent Transportation System Strategies for the I-40 Corridor Using DYNASMART-P

The Raleigh Durham area in North Carolina experienced tremendous growth in both population (50%) and travel (56%) in the period 1995-2005. The I-40 corridor, which encompasses I-40, I-85, I-440, I-540, NC147, and US-70 is already under great strain. The I-40 corridor is vital to the economic health of the region and the entire state, and it is representative of the challenges faced in all urban areas. Traditional highway construction approaches alone cannot meet these current and future challenges. These realities render it imperative that the NCDOT and metropolitan and regional planning agencies have the tools necessary to assess the system performance impacts of a variety of operational strategies, including HOV/HOT lanes, congestion or value pricing, ramp metering, system-wide signal coordination, incident and work zone management, and expanded traveler information. This project proposes to deliver a calibrated DYNASMART-P model of the Triangle region that will provide this performance assessment capability and that can adapted for use throughout the state. In fact, although the proposed project is self-contained and motivated, it is envisioned as the first step in a five-year program to bring DYNASMART-P capability to statewide modeling of North Carolina?s strategic highway corridors, evacuation modeling of the state?s entire coastal region, and detailed program support modeling for each of the state?s metropolitan areas and regions. …more

Active: 08/16/08 - 03/31/11

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Billy M. Williams

Development of a Field Testing System For Asphalt Surface Treatments

As a result of the continued commitment by state highway agencies to pavement preservation, the use of asphalt surface treatments (ASTs) has been steadily increasing. The effectiveness of ASTs in North Carolina is evident in the fact that ASTs cover 56.5% of the total paved miles using only 16.8% of the total pavement construction budget. Thus, it becomes imperative to optimize the use of ASTs in terms of prolonged service life, decreased life cycle costs, increased operational efficiency, and enhanced safety. In an effort to accomplish these objectives, the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) has supported AST research over the last five years to optimize aggregate gradation, to optimize rolling patterns, to evaluate polymer-modified emulsions, and to develop a performance-based AST design method. Despite the fact that ASTs are the most commonly used pavement preservation method, no reliable, comprehensive field tests are currently available to predict their performance. The field test methods that are available for AST testing are significantly limited in their ability to simulate field construction and traffic loading. As a result, quality control (QC) of ASTs is based entirely on field engineers? experience. This research will attempt to develop a field AST test method based on the findings from AST research projects undertaken at North Carolina State University (NCSU). The PI?s experience obtained from the development of the performance-based accelerated AST test method using the third-scale Model Mobile Loading Simulator (MMLS3) and other supporting test methods will be the keystone in accomplishing the objectives of this research. Test results from both laboratory samples and field pavements will be used in this study. The benefits of reliable, performance-based in situ test methods for ASTs are enormous and include: (a) evaluation of the likely performance of newly constructed ASTs; (b) identification of practices that lead to poor performance and correction of deficiencies before serious AST performance problems occur; (c) verification of the performance-based design of ASTs, selection of materials, and determination of the best AST construction practices; and (d) improved operational efficiency and performance of the North Carolina AST program. …more

Active: 08/16/08 - 12/31/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Integration of Sensor Technologies Into the Civil Engineering Curriculum

The use of sensors and instrumentation for monitoring civil engineering infrastructure has been of paramount importance since ancient times. Currently, the use of advanced sensing technologies is rapidly increasing in research and practice, with the ultimate goal of continuously and remotely collecting real-time data from myriad sensors dispersed throughout the natural and built environment. Unfortunately, the implementation of sensors in the undergraduate curriculum has not kept pace with advances in both the state of the art and the state of the practice. It is a challenging task to effectively incorporate sensors and instrumentation concepts in the undergraduate civil engineering curriculum if only theory is to be presented. It is also insufficient to merely supplement theory in a given course with a description of field components illustrating the use of sensors and instrumentation to monitor real-time response of built infrastructures. In order to effectively impact learning outcomes on sensor applications in civil engineering and enhance the student?s learning experience, collection and analysis of real data from functioning sensors and the ability to interact with the monitoring instrumentation are needed. This proposal is aimed at adaptation of recent developments in sensors and instrumentation technology for incorporation of field monitoring of civil-infrastructures in undergraduate civil engineering courses. The intellectual merit of the proposed work includes creation of learning materials through the use of embedded sensors to monitor the interface of the natural and constructed environments. It is anticipated that sensors will be placed adjacent to an earth dam and on a building foundation on the North Carolina State University (NCSU) Centennial Campus (where significant construction activities are planned over the next 10 years) located in Raleigh, North Carolina. The two sets of sensors will each be outfitted with solar panels for power and data will be collected using a multipurpose datalogger coupled with wireless transmission capabilities. Data will be transmitted from the sensor banks using spread-spectrum radio modems with a range of approximately 1.6 km. A workstation will be set up to initiate data transfer at regular intervals, scan for alarms, and assess data quality. The data will be uploaded to a website for use by researchers, students, educators, and other interested parties (e.g., local engineering consultants and government agencies), which will contribute to the broader impacts of the work beyond the borders of the NCSU campus. Implementation of instructional modules based on sensors and sensed data will be a significant innovation to the existing civil engineering curriculum. The collected data will be consistent with those associated with monitoring the natural and built environments and to which students will likely be exposed in practice. The instructional modules will focus on: (i) Sensor Fundamentals; (ii) Sensor Installation and Operation; (iii) Data Collection and Analysis; and (iv) Data Synthesis, Inversion, and Prediction. The proposed implementation and adaptation will introduce undergraduate students to the synergies of real time monitoring of the built environment. The sensors and associated data will be integrated into the undergraduate civil engineering curriculum at NCSU and North Carolina A&T State University (NCA&T). Additionally, the learning modules will be incorporated into a Summer Practicum for students from Universidad Catolica Andres Bello (the premier engineering school in Venezuela) and the NCSU Engineering Summer Program for high school students. …more

Active: 02/01/09 - 07/31/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Timothy Matthew Evans, Mohammed A. Gabr

Validation of APA Design Criteria for Field Surface Mixtures

Premature rutting of asphalt pavements is a serious concern experienced in recent years due to the increased traffic and wheel loads. Rutting is defined as the accumulation of small amounts of unrecoverable strain resulting from applied wheel loads to HMA pavement. This deformation is caused by excessive traffic consolidation or plastic deformation due to insufficient mixture stability. Rutting is likely to be a sudden failure that would occur in the early stages of a pavement?s life. Rutting not only decreases the useful life of a pavement but also creates a safety hazard for the traveling public. Therefore, it is important to estimate the rutting potential of a mixture before construction. Several test methods are in practice to assess the rutting potential of a mixture. Of the different laboratory rut testers, the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) is the most widely used loaded wheel tester. The APA test is not a fundamental test for permanent deformation. It can be considered as a simulative test, which simulates the traffic loading and temperature effects on compacted asphalt mixtures. Recent research project conducted at NCSU (HWY-2005-13) compared the APA test results with the results for fundamental tests obtained on a large variety of asphalt mixtures. Findings of this research project showed good correlations between results of APA and shear tests and from these correlations, APA rut depth criteria were developed. From HWY-2005-13 project, regression models were developed to characterize the rutting behavior of each individual mix by considering effects of test temperature, aggregate types and traffic volumes. However, to recommend a specific rut depth criteria for acceptance/rejection of HMA, there is a need to compare and validate model predictions and further modify APA rut depth criteria by testing representative field cores for surface mixtures. Such a validation will assist the NCDOT in better understanding HMA that may be prone to rutting and will be of great use for design and Quality Control / Quality Assurance purposes. For realistic and accurate relationships between laboratory performance and actual performance in the field, it is important to conduct laboratory tests using field cores. This research project aims to validate and modify the rut depth criteria developed in the earlier project, by incorporating the test results of field surface mixtures. …more

Active: 08/16/08 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

Shoreline Monitoring at Oregon Inlet Terminal Groin

There are three primary tasks for this proposal: 1) the establishment of a comprehensive monitoring program (along a six mile section of the coast) to determine the effectiveness of the terminal groin and revetment, 2) the analysis of the data from the monitoring program and 3) the preparation of the existing data to determine an "historical rate of erosion" for the study area shoreline in conjunction with the Department of Interior representative. This proposal is designed to provide NCDOT with a monitoring program at Oregon Inlet. This research will enable NCDOT to draw upon the existing database for the section of shoreline in the determination of the changes at the terminal groin and revetment built at Oregon Inlet. …more

Active: 07/01/08 - 08/15/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Margery F. Overton

2008 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Graduate Fellowship For Andrew LaCroix (Grant#DDEGRD-08-X-00449)

The fellowship includes a one-time expenditure of up to $1500 for attending TRB in Washington DC, 1/11-1/15/09.

Active: 09/01/08 - 09/01/09

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

"Attenuation of Gamma-Rays in New Concrete Forms", RB2C Enhancement Project

Achieving complete radiation shielding is important in any facility that produces radiation or uses radiation sources such as nuclear reactors, research labs that use radio-nuclides, hospitals and pharmaceutical companies that use radio tracers, and facilities with x-rays systems such as hospitals and dental practices, and major medical facilities that use gamma ray and tomographic scanners. Assessing the shielding effectiveness is determined by the nature of the facility and the maximum doses produced, thus attenuation of radiation is an important subject for the safety of personnel and the environment. Concretes are traditional shielding materials, where the effectiveness of shielding is determined by the density of the concrete mix and the thickness of used concretes. New forms of concretes may provide better shielding than traditional concretes, especially if such new forms incorporate high density metals, compositions that include percentage of highly attenuating materials, or mixed with fibrous materials to maintain moisture content and eliminate crack propagation. …more

Active: 05/01/08 - 12/31/09

STC Education Component: Educational Funding for Transportation Safety

In December 1999 the USDOT awarded grant DTRS99-G-0004 to the University of Tennessee at Knoxville to conduct a multidisciplinary program of transportation education, research and technology transfer through the member universities of the Southeastern Transportation Consortium (STC). This NCSU proposal addresses the continuing educational component for the academic year 2007-2008. A Basic Ordering Agreement negotiated between the University of Tennessee and the North Carolina State University covers this effort. Through the STC Educational Program, the NCSU Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering will add to its cadre of graduate students working in the transportation safety area. Without competitive support, the students will likely not study in this critical discipline or they will attend other universities. Besides the usual recruiting approaches for graduate students, NCSU will look to its promising undergraduate transportation students and involve them early in research internships. By nurturing our students we hope to recruit them as graduate students. We also use the educational funds to support second career professionals. Past second career students started in physics, meteorology, computer science, forestry, economics, statistics, operations research, and other fields. Then they became interested in transportation systems and started our graduate program and their new careers. …more

Active: 08/01/07 - 05/31/13

Sponsored by: University of Tennessee

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone

Statewide Logistics Plan for North Carolina

This project will investigate and develop a statewide transportation logistics plan for North Carolina, looking at the movement of people and freight using water, air, rail, and highway transportation, as a visioning plan for the future and how best to prepare for anticipated demands on these systems.

Active: 01/21/08 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: NC Office of State Budget and Management

Principal Investigators:
Robert S. Foyle, George F. List

Investigation of Highway Asset Inventory and Data Collection Methods

An efficient and accurate inventory of a state highway agency?s assets, along with the means to assess the condition of those assets and model their performance, is critical to enabling an agency to make informed investment decisions in a Transportation Asset Management (TAM) environment. Today, new technologies provide fast and improved ways to gather, process, and analyze data. The key is to identify the information and assess how much of it is needed to make informed decisions that affect the assets. The data must be useful, reliable, cost-effective to obtain, and delivered in a timely fashion in a user-friendly format that can tie into existing management systems. In addition, the data must be defendable and repeatable so that users of this information have a high level of confidence in its overall effectiveness. …more

Active: 04/01/08 - 04/30/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Joseph E. Hummer, David W. Johnston, Mohammed A. Gabr

Transportation Safety: Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Education, Research and Technology Transfer

No abstract provided.

Active: 08/01/07 - 09/30/11

Sponsored by: University of Tennessee

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone

Impact of UV Location and Sequence on By-Product Formation

The purpose of this subcontract is to measure the assimilable organic carbon (AOC) concentrations of approximately 100 samples that will be generated in the project ?Impact of UV Location and Sequence on By-Product Formation.? AOC concentrations will be measured by a new flow-cytometric method that utilizes a natural consortium of bacteria from a local lake water.

Active: 10/15/07 - 01/15/11

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

The International Workshop on the Use of Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) for Sustainable Structures

Deterioration of civil infrastructure in general and structures in particular has been documented by several researchers and recognized by authorities as one of the most serious problems facing the civil infrastructure worldwide. In the last decade innovative structural materials including Fiber Reinforced Polymers (FRP) have set ambitious goals in the vast civil infrastructure markets. The primary objective of this proposal is to request travel funds to organize an international workshop in Egypt to help transfer the technology and disseminate the information on the use of FRP for sustainable structures. The workshop is organized on the premise that the exchange of existing American and Egyptian experience in the area of advanced composite materials for sustainable structures is beneficial for both parties. The workshop is planned for one day immediately following ?The Fifth Middle East Symposium on Structural Composites for Infrastructure Applications 2008 (MESC-5).? The participants will share findings of their current research projects supported by the National Science Foundation, Departments of Transportation, and the Federal Highway Administration. Each of the ten US participants will submit at least one written contribution on one of the topics covered in the workshop. …more

Active: 04/01/08 - 03/31/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Parameter Determination for Chaboche Model in ANSYS Finite Element Software Package

Provide Honeywell Aerospace personnel with uniaxial, cyclic loading histories to be prescribed in the material experiments for parameter determination. Honeywell will conduct the experiments and send the recorded stress-strain data files from the experiements to our P.I., Dr. Hassan, for determining the model parameters of the Chaboche model. In addition to the stress-strain responses, peak data from each experiment will also be needed for the model parameter determination. …more

Active: 11/01/07 - 08/31/10

Sponsored by: Honeywell International, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan, Mervyn J. Kowalsky

Argentinian Nuclear Regulatory Authority Master Research and Technical Information Exchange Agreement

No abstract provided.

Active: 12/02/08 - 12/01/13

Sponsored by: Argentinian Nuclear Regulatory Authority

Principal Investigators:
Abhinav Gupta, Vernon C. Matzen, Matthew K. Ronning

Landfill Gas Management: A Roadmap For EREF Directed Research

The overall objective of this proposal is to develop a roadmap for Environmental Research and Education Foundation - directed research to understand and quantify all aspects of LFG generation, collection, attenuation, and emissions. Attainment of this objective will require a multi-year, multi-investigator and multi-agency effort. To insure that implementation of this program meets the industry?s goals and objectives, a detailed plan is essential. In this proposal, we describe the development of a research plan to: ? improve gas generation modeling, ? optimize gas collection system design, ? accurately quantify fugitive emissions of methane, NMOCs and HAPs, and the relationship of emissions to health and odor impacts, ? facilitate landfill odor management, and ? improve the data available to calculate the carbon footprint of landfills at both the site-specific and national levels. The formulation of a roadmap will involve the evaluation of available data, identification of information gaps, and presentation of a prioritized list of research needs with approximate budgets. In addition to the roadmap, this project will have outputs that will be of immediate benefit, including a model to help with research prioritization and carbon footprint calculations. …more

Active: 10/15/07 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: Environmental Research & Education Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz

Development of an Analytical Method for Taste and Odor Compounds and Application to NC Drinking Water Sources and Finished Waters

Taste-and-odor problems in drinking water are frequently a result of nuisance algae blooms in the water source. Apart from earthy/musty odors caused by methylisoborneol (MIB), geosmin, and trichloroanisoles, a range of other compounds have been implicated in off-flavors and odors. For example, fruity odors have been associated with ß-cyclocitral and linolenic acid, and fishy, grassy, and swampy odors can be caused by such compounds as dimethyl disulfide; dimethyl trisulfide; 1-hexanal; 1-heptanal; cis-3-hexen-1-ol; cis-3-hexenyl acetate; cis-4-heptenal; trans, trans-2,4-heptadienal; trans-2, cis-6-nonadienal; trans, trans-2,4-decadienal; 2,3-benzopyrrole (indole); and 2-isobutyl-3-methoxypyrazine. Many of these compounds have only been identified in the last 10 years and will be incorporated into this study along with compounds associated with earthy/musty tastes and odors. One objective of the proposed study is to extend a GC-MS/MS method for MIB and geosmin, which we are currently using in our laboratory, to a suite of about 15-20 taste and odor compounds that are commonly associated with taste-and-odor problems in drinking water. The analytical method utilizes a headspace solid-phase microextraction (SPME) step to concentrate analytes and has a detection limit of 1 ng/L for MIB and geosmin. A second objective is to apply the analytical method to (1) document the identity and concentration ranges of taste-and-odor compounds in NC drinking water sources and (2) evaluate the effectiveness of full-scale treatment practices for the removal of taste-and-odor compounds in NC drinking water treatment plants. Additional samples from selected distribution systems may be analyzed as well. The expected results of this research will help NC drinking water treatment plants identify which algal metabolites cause taste-and-odor problems in their source water. In addition, the effectiveness of existing treatment strategies for taste-and-odor compound removal will be determined. …more

Active: 03/01/08 - 08/31/09

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Development and Evaluation of Methodological Framework for Real-World Vehicle Energy Use and Emissions Estimation at Multiple Temporal and Vehicular Scales

This is request for international travel supplemental support on an existing NSF grant. The proposed project collaboration is between the NCSU project team and the Transport, Energy and Environment Division (DTEA) of the Research Group on Sustainable Energy Development at the Instituto Superior Tecnico (IST) in Lisbon, Portugal and the Center for Mechanical Technology and Automation (TEMA) at the University of Aveiro in Aveiro, Portugal. The collaboration is in the area of measurement and modeling of vehicle activity, energy use, and emissions. …more

Active: 05/15/08 - 04/30/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Nagui M. Rouphail

Understanding Rip Currents: The Multi-scale Interactions of Waves, Currents and Morphology

Breaking waves generate large scale motions -- surf zone currents (e.g. alongshore currents, rip currents and undertows). These persisting currents are the primary agents of transport and mixing in the littoral zone. During extreme wave events, they can cause severe erosion, strongly influencing coastal overtopping and flooding. Better understanding of the dynamics of these surf zone currents is clearly of fundamental importance to the development and protection of coastal environment, economy and ecosystem. Rip currents are seaward directed jet-like flows, also known to be part of the horizontal cellular circulations originating within the surf zone. They are of significant importance to onshore-offshore exchanges (water, sediments and pollutants), and to the developments of alongshore beach morphology. Rip currents are known to the public as a major recreational hazard on beaches, accounting for 80\% of surfzone rescues in the US. Theoretical understanding of their generation mechanisms, however, has not been satisfactory, in particular on beaches lacking alongshore variability. Recent studies have been mostly focusing on morphodynamic instabilities. None of these models considers fully the dynamical interaction between waves and currents. This essentially reflects the view that morphodynamics controls and hydrodynamics responds passively to changes in the morphology, hence effectively modelling only the slow time scale controlled by the morphodynamics. However, since hydrodynamical responses are generally faster than morphodynamical ones, the system naturally has multiple scales. Motions on a time scale characteristic of hydrodynamical response due to the mutual interaction of waves and currents need not be entirely passive. The question is: What is the significance of motions at this intermediate time scale, and how are their effects manifested on the slow scale morphodynamics? To address this, we propose to investigate in-depth the multi-scale coupling among waves, currents and morphodynamics. The generation mechanism of rip currents is primarily due to the hydrodynamic instability owing to two--way wave--current interaction, which has been shown by a recently published preliminary analysis. The research programme will include extensions of linear analysis to more realistic wave conditions and bathymetries, the nonlinear dynamics of the developed rip current circulations, and the coupling with slow scale morphodynamics. We will use a combination of theoretical analysis and numerical modelling, and seek direct and/or indirect comparisons with available observations. The outcomes of this research will lead to better understanding of the system, and eventually to the improvement of our predictive capability. The methodology developed will also be applicable in modelling other types of hydro-morphodynamic systems in coastal environment. …more

Active: 09/01/08 - 08/31/10

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Jie Yu

Improved Water Resources Sustainability Utilizing Multi-time Scale Streamflow Forecasts

Ensuring water resources sustainability is often challenging owing to the range of time scales over which water management problems span. In addition, limited scope for developing (expanding) new (existing) water infrastructure systems and their operational guidelines being derived based on only the marginal distribution of streamflows increase the vulnerability of water supply systems to natural variability in inflows and to increased demand resulting from urbanization and population growth. The proposed research under this supplement will integrate the ongoing studies on utilizing multi-time scale streamflow forecasts for improving water resources sustainability by systematically analyzing the importance of preserving pre-development and post-development flow conditions in watershed that are affected by development-induced land us changes and climate change. …more

Active: 03/15/08 - 02/28/12

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

Spatial-temporal Modeling and Analysis of Health Effects Associated with Source Contributions and Speciation of Fine Particulate Matter

Objectives: The overall objectives of this proposed nationwide spatiotemporal analysis are to investigate the adverse health outcomes associated with population exposure to fine particulate matter (PM2.5) and speciation and to characterize geographic differences, sources, and population heterogeneity in the putatively PM2.5 mediated health effects, combining different sources of data with atmospheric models. We aim to answer the following research questions: What is the recommended framework to integrate atmospheric models with monitoring data and other sources of information to obtain a better spatial and temporal characterization of fine PM components and sources? Can we improve the PM component-based epidemiologic studies by using atmospheric models? How to integrate the atmospheric models in this epidemiologic framework, while characterizing uncertainties in the models (epimeologic and numerical)? How to use source apportionment approaches in national epidemiologic studies, while characterizing different sources of uncertainty in models and data? Approach: In this work we will develop and implement a statistical hierarchical Bayesian framework that provides a very broad, flexible approach to studying the spatiotemporal associations between mortality and morbidity and population exposure to daily PM2.5 mass and its components, while characterizing its sources. In Stage 1, we will map ambient PM2.5 air concentrations using all available monitoring data (Supersites, IMPROVE, STN and FRM), an air quality model (CMAQ), and satellite data (MODIS), at different spatial and temporal scales. In Stage 2, we will conduct space-time dynamic source apportionment analysis to characterize the PM sources. We will introduce space-time source and receptor models, and we will also run source sensitivity simulations using CMAQ 12-km runs with 7-10 source categories. We will characterize uncertainties in the different models (stochastic and deterministic) and the data. In stage 3, we will use exposure information and SHEDS to quantify the effect of microenvironment concentrations and characteristics, as well as human activity, to estimate individual exposures to fine PM. In stage 4, we will examine the spatial temporal relationships between the health end-points (all nature-cause mortality, specific cardiopulmonary mortality and morbitities) and the exposures to PM2.5 and its species in a hierarchical generalized Poisson model and case-crossover analyses, accounting for socio-economic factors, meteorological variables and other potential confounders. …more

Active: 05/15/08 - 11/30/12

Sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Principal Investigators:
Montserrat Fuentes, Henry C. Frey, Yang Zhang

Hot Mix Asphalt Performance-Related Specification (HMA-PRS) Based on Viscoelastoplastic Continuum Damamge (VEPCD) Models

This task will establish a system to simulate the healing potential of the asphalt mixes being tested and evaluated under this project so that the framework can be applied to any mix through the performance-related specifications (PRS). Work that is currently underway in this project includes conducting a suite of laboratory tests on asphalt mixtures from various locations around the world. The tests range from simple practical techniques to more accurate and detailed tests. This suite of tests is being conducted to provide inputs into pavement performance prediction models that will form the basis of the PRS for asphalt mixture production. The current project testing plan does not include an evaluation of the healing aspects of these mixture specimens, and the models being applied within this project currently use a simplified, empirically adjusted model to address healing performance. Since the onset of this project, however, other research has led to advances in terms of the ability to analyze the healing aspects of asphalt mixes. …more

Active: 02/06/08 - 02/05/14

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Murthy N. Guddati

LTPP Computed Parameter: Dynamic Modulus

The primary objective of this Task Order is to develop estimates of the dynamic modulus of hot mix asphalt (HMA) layers on LTPP test sections following the models used in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG), for storage in the LTPP Pavement Performance Database.

Active: 09/01/07 - 07/31/09

Sponsored by: Nichols Consulting Engineers

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) Membership Pool Agreement

No abstract provided.

Active: 07/01/02 - 08/31/10

Sponsored by: Center for Repair of Buildings and Bridges With Composites (RB2C) - NCSU Research Site

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Research Site of the I/UCRC Entitled: Repair of Building and Bridges with Composites

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 Miami. 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. …more

Active: 09/01/07 - 08/31/10

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Multi-Temporal, Three Dimensional Coastal State Indicators

Quantifying and understanding geomorphologic change in the coastal environment has long presented challenges to the coastal engineer, scientist and manager. Recent advances in mapping technologies (e.g., LIDAR, RTK-GPS), provide three dimensional (3D), spatial-temporal data of coastal areas with unprecedented detail and accuracy. The increasingly available spatially and temporally robust remotely sensed data products create opportunities to capture and examine the 'dynamic-state and evolutionary trends' in coastal change, the fundamental characteristic of a coastal state indicator. CSI Coastal state indicators are "a reduced set of parameters that can simply, adequately and quantitatively describe the dynamic-state and evolutionary trends of a coastal system? (Davidson et al. 2007). A well developed CSI will support fundamental management and policy decisions by communicating complex, evolving phenomena in meaningful, yet simplistic terms. This proposal seeks to 1) develop a tool set focused on merging data sets into a compatible time series to enable time series analysis, 2) quantify essential geomorphic parameters, 3) develop 3D hazard indicators (or CSIs) and 4) determine decadal volumetric change. Where possible, the influence of anthropogenic factors such as development patterns and management strategies, as well as natural forcing functions, on geomorphic change will be explored. The application of these tools will be applied to selected critical locations to illustrate their utility. This effort supports NC Sea Grant strategic initiative in Coastal Hazards in providing fundamental data analysis capabilities for the evaluation of the latest long-tem and storm related prediction methodologies for hazard identification and management strategies. …more

Active: 02/01/08 - 08/15/10

A Generation Mechanism for Rip Currents

OBJECTIVES: The long-term goal of this research is to better understand the dynamics of surf zone wave-induced rip currents, and their complex interactions with waves and nearshore morphology, which will advance the theoretical bases upon which rip current forecasts rely. The specific scientific objectives of this proposed project are: 1. To investigate the mechanism for rip current formation on beaches lacking obvious alongshore variations in either incoming waves or beach bathymetry, by extending the hydrodynamic instability analysis in Yu (2006) to account for complex beach profiles. 2. To validate the modeling results through direct and/or indirect comparisons with available field observations, in particular on North Carolina beaches, thereby to assess the importance of the instability process on natural beaches and its role in influencing the transient and sporadic development of dangerous rip currents. …more

Active: 01/01/08 - 12/31/08

Field Verification of Undercut Criteria and Alternatives for Subgrade Stabilization

The North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) is currently seeking to develop systematic criteria that address the implementation of undercutting as a subgrade stabilization measure. As a part of this effort, a laboratory study is proposed to develop criteria for undercutting under various roadway site conditions; these criteria will include systematic short-term criteria for expected construction loading and long-term criteria to establish the subgrade stiffness for the design of pavement layers under traffic loading. The objective of work proposed in this project is to perform testing in the field on instrumented pavement sections to collect data for the validation of the guidelines to be developed from the laboratory study. The proposed plan encompasses field instrumentation of three test pads; one with the implementation of undercutting of poor soils and replacement with quality fill, a second includes undercutting in conjunction with the use of geosynthetics, and a third includes chemical stabilization. Each test location will include a control section in addition to the test pad with the specified stabilization measure. …more

Active: 04/01/09 - 08/15/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Mohammed A. Gabr, Roy H. Borden

Development of Undercut Criteria and Alternatives for Subgrade Stabilization

The main objective of the proposed project is to develop criteria for undercutting under various roadway site conditions; these criteria should include systematic short-term criteria for expected construction loading and long-term criteria to establish the subgrade stiffness for the design of pavement layers under traffic loading. The research work will provide tools for identifying the required depth of the undercut as well as alternative or supplemental approaches to improve soil-bearing properties and workability. The approach to be developed will be supplemented with the use of expedient in situ techniques, such as the Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP). The proposed research plan encompasses laboratory work as well as the modeling and analysis of data. …more

Active: 08/01/07 - 10/31/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Mohammed A. Gabr, Roy H. Borden

Engineering the Civil Infrastructure For Enhanced Resiliance of the Built and Natural Environments

The dynamic evolution of landforms under stress can lead to catastrophic loss of either functionality or of mass itself. This project will examine the dynamics of landforms undergoing a transition from one state to another (e.g., barrier island collapse, wetland loss, dune erosion) in order to determine critical defining features of the resilient natural and developed landforms. This descriptive dynamic will be translated into design parameters for restoration of protective or beneficial landforms (e.g., beaches, dunes, barrier islands, wetlands). In addition, this analysis will be used to provide improved metrics for communicating hazard and risk as well as incorporating hazard and risk into land use plans. This project lies at the interface between Coastal Hazards Science and Planning for Resilience focus areas and has the potential to provide insights to the Hazards, Human Behavior and Economic Resilience focus area. …more

Active: 07/01/08 - 06/30/14

Sponsored by: UNC - General Administration

Principal Investigators:
Margery F. Overton, Mohammed A. Gabr, George F. List, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan, Rudolf Seracino, John W. Baugh, Earl D. Brill

Effects of Biological Drain Products on Grease Interceptors: Microbiological and Chemical Characterization

The overall objective of the project is to determine the chemical and microbiological effects of biological drain products on grease interceptor (GI) characteristics and performance. The specific objectives are: (1) to identify the effects of bioaugmentation on the microbial community structure and function in grease interceptors; (2) to determine if there is a negative effect to downstream effluent from use of biological additives (i.e., determine if biaougmentation results in passing grease downstream); and (3) to start to address regulatory ordinances concerning biological drain products. …more

Active: 08/01/07 - 06/01/09

Sponsored by: Consumer Specialty Products Association

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

2007 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Graduate Fellowship for Beth Visintine (Grant#DDEGRD-07-X-00422)

The Dwight D Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program has granted round trip travel expenses for Beth Visintine to attend the Transportation Research Board in Washington DC during the period of 9/01/07-9/01/08. The primary event will be attendance at the TRB Annual meeting. Estimated costs are $21,068 including travel from Raleigh, NC to Washington DC, travel, lodging and conference registration. According to the grant letter, ?any remaining funds after TRB expenses may be applied to the student?s tuition or living stipend?. …more

Active: 09/01/07 - 09/01/08

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

2007 Dwight David Eisenhower Transportation Felloswhip for Elizabeth Harris: Grant#DDEGRD-07-X-00414

The Dwight D Eisenhower Transportation Fellowship Program has granted round trip travel expenses for Elizabeth Harris to attend the Transportation Research Board in Washington DC during the period of 9/01/07-9/01/08. The primary event will be attendance at the TRB Annual meeting. Estimated costs are $6500 including travel from Raleigh, NC to Washington DC, travel, lodging and conference registration. According to the grant letter, any remaining funds after TRB expenses may be applied to the student's tuition or living stipend. …more

Active: 09/01/07 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
William J. Rasdorf

Treatment of Acid Mine Drainage Using Crude Glycerol

In this project, we will develop and test a process to treat vadose zone contamination at mine sites using crude glycerol. In this process, crude caustic glycerol generated during production of biodiesel would be diluted with mine water and sprayed on the surface of the tailings pile. As the glycerol infiltrates down through the pile, the AMD would be treated through two complementary processes: (a) neutralization of the sulfuric acid present in the AMD by residual NaOH present in the glycerol; and (b) anaerobic biodegradation of the sulfate producing sulfide. …more

Active: 07/01/07 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: Smith, Bucklin & Associates, LLC

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Performance Engineering Research Institute (PERI)

The overall goal of this SciDAC-2 project is to develop and maintain a world class Performance Engineering Research Institute (PERI) that will address the growing challenges of achieving good performance of grand challenge applications on highly complex emerging high-end computing (HEC) systems. This center will function on the basis of a tripartite research plan encompassing: (1) performance modeling and prediction; (2) automatic performance optimization; and (3) performance engineering of high profile applications. The work performed in this proposal will primarily address the third component with appropriate interactions with the first two components. The major thrust of this third major component, application engagement, is to maintain direct interactions with SciDAC applications through passive, active, or ?tiger team? liaisons. Approximately 30% of the total PERI resources are devoted to this activity, including tiger teams that will focus on particular codes. …more

Active: 06/07/07 - 12/15/11

Sponsored by: Oak Ridge National Laboratories - UT-Battelle LLC

Principal Investigators:
Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar

Pavement Marking Perormance Analysis

With an investment of $1 million after five years of data collection, this summer the Work Zone Traffic Control Unit (WZTCU) requested that North Carolina State University (NCSU) develop a pavement markings research plan to analyze relationships between pavement marking retroreflectivity values and variables such as marking color, marking age, and pavement surface. The first step of this plan was to understand retroreflectivity performance over time. The plan then called for an application of this knowledge in a holistic asset management approach. This will enable pavement marking managers to focus their limited resources where they are most needed and avoid replacing materials with effective life still remaining. To date, North Carolina State University (NCSU) has met several times with NCDOT personnel and the data collection contractor, Precision Scan, LLC. Based on previous discussions with experts and based on a literature review of the existing state of research regarding pavement-marking performance, an initial assessment of the data was conducted and a research agenda has been established. It is now critical to continue this research for two reasons. First, the NCDOT has invested heavily in data collection and this data must be analyzed. Second, it is important to effectively evaluate the condition of the pavement markings throughout the state and determine if they will be in compliance with pending minimum retroreflectivity standards that the FWHA is proposing to publish. This research will evaluate the pavement marking performance characteristics of NC?s highways and propose asset management guidelines that will enable NC to effectively implement the new standards. …more

Active: 07/01/07 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
William J. Rasdorf, Joseph E. Hummer

Development of Traffic Data Input Resources For the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Process

NCDOT has adopted the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide. The implementation of this new pavement design process requires traffic data resources to provide the vehicle traffic load spectra needed for each pavement design. Load spectra derive from historical seasonal truck volume patterns and axle loading patterns and load spectra forecasts over the service life of a design. The expected results of the research will describe what detailed base year traffic data to collect (i.e., the data most sensitive to the MEPDG process), how and where to collect the traffic data in North Carolina, and how to develop forecasts. …more

Active: 07/01/07 - 08/15/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone, Youngsoo R. Kim, George F. List, William J. Rasdorf

Superpave Mixture Design and Analysis Workshop

One of the requirements for the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) quality control and quality assurance (QA/QC) inspector certification for employees of NCDOT and private contracting firms is the completion of a mix design method for asphalt concrete mixes.The Marshall mix design procedure, based on technology developed in the 1940?s, has now been replaced by the new SUPERPAVE (Superior Performing Asphalt Pavements) technology. NCDOT has expressed an interest in NCSU-Civil Engineering to conduct several of the Superpave mix design workshops for asphalt concrete. It is anticipated that the first such workshop will be conducted May 14 to 18, 2007. Two additional workshops will be conducted at mutually agreeable times between NCDOT and NCSU-Civil Engineering contingent upon availability of a minimum of 20 and a maximum of 25 participants per workshop. …more

Active: 05/01/07 - 08/31/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

A Spatial-Temporal Modeling Approach For Environmental Epidemiological Data

Environmental epidemiological data need to be collected over time and across different geographic domains. These data need to be analyzed in order to determine important aspects of national environmental policy, aspects that protect the health of citizens and prevent damage to infrastructure and the environment. The purpose of this research is to develop a statistical framework and methodology for integrated analyses of spatial temporal data on air pollution concentrations and other environmental agents, exposure, health outcomes and covariate information. Generally, these various data layers are temporally misaligned and are observed at different spatial scales. The focus of this research is: [1] the development of new statistical methods and models for the investigation of the spatial and temporal association between environmental stressors, taking into account human activity, and adverse human health outcomes in the context of two case studies: *study of the impact of ozone and PM (fine, course and ultrafine) on cardivascular mortality across the conterminuous U.S. *study of the impact of ozone and PM (fine, course and ultrafine) on asthma, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the state of Wisconsin. [2] the development of a broad statistical framework to study the association of environmental factors and adverse health outcomes. This general framework incorporates parametric and nonparametric ial dependence structure for environmental processes, taking into account spatial misalignment, spatial and temporal change of support, lack of stationarity and lack of separability in the space-time covariance function. An exposure simulator model is used to characterize population exposure levels. [3] the model fitting, estimation and prediction of multivariate space-time environmental epidemiological data. [4] the statistical assessment of the performance of deterministic and stochastic models, and model diagnostics. In aims 2-4 we establish general statistical frameworks that will be implemented to the case studies introduced in aim 1. The project thereby addresses the critical need to improve the scientific understanding of the health impacts of environmental factors that change over time and across different spatial domains and creates a foundation for policy making and a more efficient management of air quality and other environmental agents under limited information. The proposed research could have important public health implications since it may reveal interesting air pollution-public health relationships. …more

Active: 12/15/07 - 11/30/11

Sponsored by: National Institutes of Health (NIH)

Principal Investigators:
Montserrat Fuentes, Sujit K. Ghosh, Henry C. Frey, Damian Shea

Multiscale Modeling of Asphalt Concrete for Fatigue Cracking Evaluation

The primary goal of the proposed research is to develop a multiscale modeling methodology for asphalt materials and pavements.

Active: 12/26/06 - 03/31/12

Sponsored by: Texas A&M Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Murthy N. Guddati

RB2C Membership

1) Basic Characteristics of Innovative Composite Concrete Material Grancrete is a new family of innovative composite materials produced by a blend of magnesium oxide, potassium phosphate, ashes and fibers in the mixture. Its compounds originate from the mining industry and are nontoxic, non-hazardous, and environmentally friendly. Grancrete products may be used to modify or to replace conventional concrete. Currently there is an attempt to use these products for new building and for strengthening of concrete and masonry structures. The research in progress is designed to address the potential use of these innovative products for the construction industry with a clear understanding of their properties and limitations. The research program is supervised by Dr. Sami Rizkalla, and includes one MS student, Mr. Oscar Montesdeoca. The first phase of the research focused on the fundamental characteristics of the Grancrete material. The experimental program includes a specific product of Grancrete material known by its high fire resistance characterisits and has been identified as HFR Grancrete. The test program includes evaluation of the workability, compressive strength and serviceability of Grancrete based on ASTM standard procedures for normal cement paste since there is no standard currently available for this type of material. The current research focuses mainly on High Fire Resistant (HFR) Grancrete. The main objective is to determine the basic characteristics of the material. The testing program considered the effect of water-Grancrete (w/g) ratio by weight which was identified as a main parameter affecting the properties of the material. Compressive strength and flow tests were performed for several different w/g ratios. After this preliminary work, two mixtures were selected for additional testing. The additional tests included: workability (flow), setting time, and curing temperature. The hardened HFR Grancrete paste specimens were tested to evaluate the compressive strength, flexural strength, modulus of elasticity, water absorption, apparent density, volume of permeable pores or voids, linear shrinkage and coefficient of thermal expansion. In addition to the mechanical properties tested, a chemical analysis of HFR Grancrete was performed. The objective of this analytical work was to characterize HFR Grancrete and compare results with analysis of Portland cement. Two techniques were employed: Energy dispersive X-ray analysis (EDS) and X-ray Photoelectron Spectroscopy (XPS). Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) micrographs were also obtained. The planned future work includes ? Evaluate bond characteristics of HFR Grancrete to different materials including steel, hardened concrete, hardened grancrete, polystyrene, FRP and wood. ? Full characterization of the material properties of two different types of Grancrete products mixed with aggregate and sand. ? Investigation of the flexural, shear and bond characteristics of small-scale reinforced Grancrete structural members. …more

Active: 01/01/07 - 06/30/10

Effect of the Use of Higher Percentages of RAP in NCDOT Hot Mix Asphalt

The recycling of asphalt pavements has become a very routine procedure throughout the country. Research has shown that the Recycled Asphalt Pavement (RAP) recovered from construction sites still contains usable materials, both in the recycled aggregates and recycled binder. However, since the RAP binder has been aged during its service life, the use of RAP in new pavement construction may cause the stiffness of the blended binder to increase. Due to this increased stiffness, it is sometimes necessary for a ?grade shift? in the virgin binder in order to result in the specifications for the desired performance grade. As this complicates the procedure most contractors limit the use of RAP to 15% in order to avoid the need for a grade shift. This has resulted in large amounts of RAP going unused. The use of higher percentages of RAP in construction would provide initial cost savings. However, a life cycle cost analysis is needed in order to determine whether use of higher percentages of RAP provides an economical advantage for the life cycle, not just initially. In order to predict life cycle costs, the fatigue life and rut resistance of mixtures containing various amounts of RAP will be compared to a 100% virgin material mixture. The fatigue life and rut resistance of the mixtures will be calculated from laboratory testing using Frequency Sweep Testing Using Superpave Simple Shear Tester (SST), Repeated Simple Shear Tests Using Superpave Simple Shear Tester (SST) Device, and Indirect Tensile Strength Test. The SHRP A-003A surrogate models and the Asphalt Institute models will both be used in order to predict pavement performance using the results from the Frequency Sweep Testing Using Superpave Simple Shear Tester and the Repeated Simple Shear Test Using Superpave Simple Shear Tester. The results from the Indirect Tensile Strength Test will be used in regression models to predict pavement performance. Based on these results, the life cycle economic analysis can be completed and the optimum percentage of RAP can be determined for use in the construction of new pavements. …more

Active: 07/01/07 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Narendra P. Khosla

Hydrogen Production at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill: A Proposal to Explain Landfill Behavior

The objectives of the proposed research are to: 1. Develop an understanding of the conditions that are responsible for the production of hydrogen at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill. 2. Characterize microbial populations in samples of refuse excavated from areas that are producing hydrogen as well as samples from laboratory-scale reactors that reproduce the hydrogen production observed in the field. 3. Use the information on microbial populations and reactor performance to propose strategies for the control of hydrogen production and excessive temperatures at the Waimanalo Gulch Landfill …more

Active: 02/14/07 - 12/31/08

RB2C-Membership

The goal of the proposed research is to develop appropriate design procedures and to simplify the detailing requirements for precast, L-shaped spandrel beams. To achieve the ojective, the following activities will be pursued: -Review, evaluate, and synthesize existing, pertinent research data and current code provisions. -Develop and carry out a research and testing program based on the concept of providing the minimum amount of reinforcement needed in the end-region of L-shaped spandrel beams to resist shear and out-of-plane web bending demands while satisfying ledge hanger steel requirements. -Develop design recommendations suitable for publication that simplify the design for shear and torsion of L-shaped spandrel beams, in both the end and the interior regions, while simplifying reinforcement detailing requirements. …more

Active: 07/01/06 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Effect of Gradation on Predicted Performance of Aggregate Base Course

The unbound granular layer serves as a major structural component in flexible pavement performance. The gradation acceptance criteria used by the North Carolina Department of Transportation (NCDOT) for aggregate base course (ABC) were adopted based on experience many years ago and have not undergone any significant changes. Because the current specification is not directly related to performance, it is difficult to quantify the effect of ABC material gradation on pavement performance. The primary objectives of this research study are to evaluate the effect of aggregate gradation on the mechanical properties of the ABC materials; and to develop numerical model(s) based on the discrete element method (DEM) to predict mechanical properties with changes in gradation. The DEM models will also provide insight into the underlying micromechanics that may contribute to variations in material performance as a function of ABC gradation. It is anticipated that this research study will result in performance-related criteria that can be incorporated into the NCDOT Standard Specifications that are used for acceptance of ABC material for pavement structure. The results of this study will enable NCDOT to numerically extrapolate ABC material properties for changing aggregate gradation with limited testing. It will also allow NCDOT to use more realistic ABC material properties in the AASHTO 2002 MEPDG structural design process for pavement structures. …more

Active: 01/01/08 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Timothy Matthew Evans, Akhtarhusein A. Tayebali

Protecting Receiving Waters: Removal of Biochemically Active Compounds from Wastewater by Sequential Photochemical and Biological Oxidation Processes

The principal objective of the proposed research is to develop an integrated assessment of a sequential photochemical oxidation/biological process for the mineralization of biochemically active contaminants (BACs) in wastewater treatment plant (WWTP) effluents. Specific objectives are (1) to evaluate the effects of the wastewater matrix on the removal rates of BACs (and associated biological activity) by a UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process (AOP), (2) to examine if treatment of contaminated WWTP effluent with UV/H2O2 AOP enhances the mineralization potential of the BACs and their oxidation intermediates, and (3) to determine if receiving surface waters can effectively biodegrade photooxidation intermediates. Integral to this effort are (1) characterization of the photochemical oxidation process in terms of BAC conversion kinetics in WWTP effluent, (2) assessment of estrogenic activity exhibited by EE2 photooxidation products and antimicrobial activity exhibited by trimethoprim photooxidation products, (3) evaluation of the mineralization potential of 14C-labeled sulfamethazine, sulfadiazine, and diclofenac photooxidation intermediates, and (4) evaluation of the mineralization portential of photooxidation products in receiving waters conditions. …more

Active: 03/01/07 - 08/31/08

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Development of a New Chip Seal Mix Design Method

The objective of the proposed research project is to develop a new chip seal mix design method that can be applied to lightweight aggregate and polymer-modified emulsion as well as to normal aggregate and emulsion, and can be utilized efficiently by field personnel. This design procedure will utilize test methods that are currently under development at North Carolina State University (NCSU) with the objective of measuring important design parameters. The developed design procedure will be verified and calibrated through field experiments. …more

Active: 07/01/07 - 12/31/10

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Comprehensive Performance Evaluation of Polymer Modified Hot Mix Asphalt Mixtures

With the goal of accurate pavement performance evaluation, the PI and his co-workers at NCSU have been developing advanced models for hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures under complex loading conditons. Over the past decade, they have been successful in developing material models that can accurately capture various critical phenomena such as: microcrack induced damage this is critical for fatigue modeling; strain rate-temperature interdependence; and viscoplastic flow that is critical for rutting evaluation The resulting model is termed the viscoelastoplastic continuum damage (VEPCD) model. …more

Active: 10/15/06 - 10/14/08

Sponsored by: Korea Kumho Petrochemical Co., Ltd.

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Roy H. Borden

Non-Conventional Alternative Intersection Treatments Guide

With heavy traffic flows at intersections, especially during peak hours, traffic engineers and planners face increasing challenges of mounting congestion with excessive delays and worsening safety performance for passengers and pedestrians. Major side effects are pollution, increased stress levels and economic losses in terms of wasted time, to state a few. Several innovative traffic intersection designs have been studied by researchers and implemented by users. The most significant innovations are in diverting left turn traffic movements with geometric designs and reducing the number of signal phases to consequently reduce lost time. Several unconventional intersection designs including continuous flow intersections (CFI), median u-turn, superstreet or j-turn treatments, diverging diamond interchange (DDI), and the quadrant roadway intersection, have been proposed by researchers. To date, however, there have been few field implementations. This study is calling for the development of an informational guide (IG) or report that includes (but is not limited to): a selection procedure or framework based on operational and physical conditions, coverage by treatment on operational assessments, geometric design considerations, pedestrian accommodations and analysis, safety estimations, cost assessments, and separate marketing materials in the form of Tech-briefs and videos. The selection procedure is a macroscopic framework for considering non-conventional intersections by comparisons with similar conventional intersection improvements, and comparisons with the other non-conventional intersections under consideration in this IG. The IG should provide information by intersection treatment type on capacity and delay comparisons, geometric design suggestions, pedestrian performance, access management, signal design, signing and marking, and other road features. The style of this informational guide or report should not be prescriptive but descriptive, i.e., suggesting what is analyzed, observed, and compared, and identifying related practices from other policies and guidelines. The objectives of this project are to conduct research and develop an informational guide (or report) that should provide, as a minimum, selection procedures for treatment types (or suggestions for design and safety, operations, and pedestrian accommodations) and to develop marketing materials in the form of Tech Briefs and traffic animation videos. North Carolina State University is pleased to participate on the Vanasse Hangen Brustlin, Inc. team proposing to the Federal Highway Administration on this project. NCSU will provide expertise in non-conventional intersection design and operation and will conduct detailed traffic simulations of some of the selected alternatives. …more

Active: 08/23/06 - 09/23/08

Non-Residential Solid Waste Management Life-Cycle Inventory Model

The objective of this research is to estimate the environmental benefits of the recycling and reuse of commercial, industrial and agricultural wastes generated in the State of Delaware.

Active: 07/01/06 - 02/28/09

Sponsored by: Delaware Solid Waste Authority

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

Ground Surface Vibrations and Noise Generated by Pile Driving: Eisenhower Fellowship

Investigating methods to predict ground surface vibrations and noise generated by pile driving. To do so, I am combining both vibration data and high strain dynamic pile testing data from an extensive data set collected at the Marquette Interchange Project in Milwaukee, Wisconsin. By investigating monitoring data collected on the instrumented piles, I hope to develop a practical vibration prediction algorithm that can eventually be integrated into pre-construction wave equation analyses. This will allow for improved vibration and noise predictions before construction, so that possible damage to structures and annoyances to the traveling and residential public can be addressed early. …more

Active: 09/01/06 - 09/01/09

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Mohammed A. Gabr

Lateral Flange Bending in Heavily Skewed Steel Bridges

Today's steel plate girder bridges are more commonly constructed with long spans and a heavy skew. As a result, an increase in problems with lateral flange bending of the steel plate girders during construction has been observed by the NCDOT. The problems have resulted in costly construction delays and additional design and analysis time required by the design engineer. Lateral flange bending causes the girder to rotate out-of-plane and displace the flanges laterally. This induces additional stresses into the flanges of the girders, the end-bent diaphragms, the intermediate cross-frames, and the support bearings. Recent AASHTO design specification revisions recommend that these effects be included in the design of the bridge components. To evaluate the effects of lateral flange bending, a refined analysis technique such as finite element analysis is required. This analysis is a very time consuming task for NCDOT design engineers. The focus of this research is to quantify the effects of lateral flange bending, establish a method to predict the effects, and develop strategies to mitigate the effects of heavy skew on lateral flange bending. The final product of this research will directly and immediately provide cost-savings benefits to the NCDOT through improved constructability and durability of the bridge elements. …more

Active: 01/01/07 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Emmett A. Sumner

Performance Based Analysis of Polymer Modified Emulsions in Bituminous Surface Treatments

This budget revision is requested to fabricate a laboratory scale chip seal spreader (ChipSS). NCDOT?s pavement preservation research at NC State University has developed an accelerated chip seal testing procedure, which has been successfully used in three chip seal research projects at NCSU and will be the main test method in the newly starting chip seal mix design project. One of the critical needs in the MMLS3 test procedure is the ability to fabricate chip seal specimens with varying aggregate and emulsion application rates in a consistent manner. ChipSS will simulate the aggregate spreading mechanism in chip spreaders used in actual construction. ChipSS will be designed and fabricated at the Precision Machine Shop at NCSU. …more

Active: 07/01/06 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Development of Typical Truck Trip Profiles for Rural and Urban NC

The principle objective of the research is to improve NCDOT?s understanding of the manner in which trucks are using the state highway system, overall and on a regional basis. Better truck trip profiles are needed to understand the extent to which heavy trucks in particular are using the state?s various categories of highway, from rural secondary roads to urban interstates. Current profiles provide only a coarse sense of the annual truck traffic by vehicle class. Pavement and bridge engineers need a better sense of truck weights and axle spacings. Investment decision makers and planners need a better picture of truck volumes, trip distances and weight distributions by highway class and route category. To help meet these needs, this project aims to create better truck trip flow profiles, especially for heavy vehicles, particularly those that need permits, by analyzing data that has been or is being collected. …more

Active: 07/01/06 - 09/30/08

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
George F. List, John R. Stone, Leta F. Huntsinger

Placement of Detection Loops on High Speed Approaches to Traffic Signals

High-speed, signalized intersections require special attention to ensure safe operation. One crucial element is the placement of detectors, especially those that detect the approach of vehicles on the mainline when a change interval is about to commence. Research has indicated that well-placed detectors and carefully chosen signal timing parameters, such as yellow and all-red times, can reduce the likelihood of both right-angle and rear-end collisions as drivers on the main road deal with dilemma zone issues ? whether to slow down and stop or continue through the intersection. The placement of the detectors is strongly tied to the speed limits of the intersecting roadways and the allowable movements. Therefore, the authors of this proposal address the need to determine the best distances to place detectors on the approaches to high-speed signalized intersections through a comprehensive research program of modeling and field testing alternative configurations. A final report will be prepared itemizing recommended practices to be followed by design engineers with benefit-cost tradeoffs highlighted. …more

Active: 07/01/06 - 08/15/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
George F. List

Local Calibration of the MEPDG for Flexible Pavement Design

The long-awaited Mechanistic-Empirical Design Guide for New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures (MEPDG) has been released by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program. The models in the MEPDG were calibrated during the NCHRP 1-37A project using limited national databases. Therefore, it is critical to calibrate the design methods and models using local input and performance data. One of the input data types necessary for the local calibration of the MEPDG is the material data. Two major data types in the required material database are modulus and performance. The NCDOT has already developed a dynamic modulus database where dynamic moduli of 42 hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures typical in North Carolina are available for varying loading frequencies and temperatures. To make materials database complete for the local calibration of the MEPDG, the moduli of unbound materials and the performance characteristics of both the HMA mixtures and unbound materials are needed. The objective of this proposed study is to calibrate the MEPDG with local data by developing a material database using typical layer materials ( HMA and unbound materials) for flexible pavements in North Carolina. The scope of research includes both fatigue cracking and rutting. The primary products of the proposed research are the flexible pavement layer materials performance database and the MEPDG HMA performance model coefficients for typical North Carolina HMA mixtures. An additional product will be an implementation plan with instructions for modifying the MEPDG to incorporate the local coefficients. This plan will shorten the delay between the research and the implementation of the pavement design. The products will improve the accuracy of the MEPDG performance prediction for local flexible pavements. This local calibration will assure that designs in the procedure are neither unduly risky nor unduly conservative. …more

Active: 07/01/06 - 08/15/09

Sponsored by: NC Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim

Impacts of Sampling and Handling Procedures on DNA- and RNA-based Microbial Characterization and Quantification of Groundwater and Saturated Soil

The overall objective of this project is to determine the relationships of sample processing procedures to the effectiveness and efficiency of three molecular techniques used in qualitative and quantitative analysis of microbial populations in groundwater and associated saturated soil samples.

Active: 03/19/07 - 03/18/10

Sponsored by: US Army - Corps of Engineers

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II, Robert C. Borden

Transportation and Infrastructure Research Consortium

This project is focused on two efforts: 1) introduction of computer aided dispatching into a traffic incident management system, and 2) development of a wireless, solar-powered EZ-pass tag reader. The first of these will merge Computer-Aided Dispatch (CAD) into the traffic incident management ?system? presently used by the New York State Police to respond to incidents within portions of the capital district. The second will develop a wireless, solar-powered EZ-pass tag reader that can be installed and tested in a testbed area and then develop a methodology for the fusion of point, link and path data sources. …more

Active: 10/01/05 - 02/01/10

Sponsored by: Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute

Principal Investigators:
George F. List

NEESR-GC: Simulation of the Seismic Performance of Nonstructural Systems

Overall objective is to study the seismic performance of non-structural ceiling systems in buildings such as fire suppression piping, suspended ceiling fixtures, HVAC ducts, and partitions. NCSU?s work is focused on computer modeling, optimization, and fragility evaluations for designing piping configuration needed to conduct experiments, Subtasks of this study focus on verification of theoretical formulations for seismic analysis of coupled building-piping systems as well as development of new formulations for improved verification with respect to the experimental results obtained by other participating organizations. …more

Active: 09/15/07 - 08/31/13

Sponsored by: Consortium of Universities for Research in Earthquake Engineering (CUREE)

Principal Investigators:
Abhinav Gupta

Project ICEB: Developing an Interdisciplinary Course in Environmental Biotechnology

This project is to continue developing and delivering an environmental biotechnology class to engineering undergraduate and graduate students.

Active: 09/01/05 - 08/31/08

Calibration of Rutting Models for HMA Structural and Mix Design

In this project, NCSU will be a subcontractor to the Applied Research Associates, Inc. in the NCHRP project 9-30A. The objective of this research effort is to recommend revisions to the HMA rut depth prediction model in the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide and software developed in NCHRP Project 1-37A for consideration by the NCHRP Project 1-40 panel and the AASHTO Joint Task Force on Pavements. The recommended revisions will be based on the calibration and validation of distress models with measured materials properties and performance data from existing field and other full-scale pavement sections that incorporate modified as well as unmodified asphalt binders. …more

Active: 08/29/05 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: Applied Research Associates, Inc.

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Murthy N. Guddati

RB2C-Membership

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 it's 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. Three universities are participating in this study, namely, University of Texas at Austin, The University of Kansas, and North Carolina State University. Each university will test twenty-two full-scale splice beams for the first phase of the program. …more

Active: 07/01/05 - 06/30/09

Improved Water Management Strategies for the Neuse Basin Utilizing Climate-Information Based Probabilistic Streamflow Forecasts

A strategy for improved drought management sin is proposed by developing a seamless integration climate-information based streamflow forecasts into water systems planning (3 months to 6 months) and operation. The proposed research will develop long-lead probabilistic streamflow forecasts for two reservoirs in the traingle area contingent on both local land-surface and exogenous climatic conditions. Retrospective streamflow forecasts will be combined with a reservoir management model to understand the utility of streamflow forecasts in operating the Falls Dam and Lake Jordan. With the decadal variability in the tropical Atlantic Sea Surface Temperature (above-normal conditions) resulting in more hurricanes, it is imperative to develop a prognostic approach for water management in the Neuse basin given the basin accounts for 22% of state?s population. Such an approach based on climate information could help water managers to prepare well in advance to reduce the impacts resulting from hydroclimatic extremes. …more

Active: 03/01/06 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: NCSU Water Resources Research Institute

Principal Investigators:
Sankarasubraman Arumugam

Anaerobic Biotreatment of Acid Mine Drainage at Ore Knob Mine

Ore Knob Branch and Peak Creek are impaired due to discharge of acid mine drainage (AMD) from an abandoned copper/zinc mine. AMD production from the large tailings impoundment will be controlled by injecting emulsified soybean oil into the sediments to stimulate growth of naturally occurring bacteria. These bacteria will then use the soybean oil as a food source, consuming any dissolved oxygen and stopping further AMD production. Once oxygen is depleted, the sulfate reducing bacteria will reduce sulfuric acid (H2SO4) to sulfide (HS-). Metals will then coprecipitate with HS-, returning the minerals back to their original insoluble form (FeS2, CuS, NiS, ZnS, etc.). Extensive laboratory studies have demonstrated that this approach is very effective in treating AMD, resulting in a dramatic increase in pH, and reduction in dissolved metals. However, a pilot test should be conducted before full scale application. …more

Active: 11/01/05 - 10/31/08

Sponsored by: NC Department of Environment & Natural Resources (DENR)

Principal Investigators:
Robert C. Borden

Development of a Multiaxial VEPCD-FEP++ and Its Extension to the Indirect Tension Test

The objective of the proposed work herein is to develop a reliable IR test procedure at high temperatures. This procedure will be developed for cylindrical specimens fabricated using the Superpave Gyratory compaction. Once the high temperature IR test method will be developed, it will be applied to the seven HMA mixtures currently evaluated under Task 5 of the DTFH61-05-RA-00108 project to check its reliability.

Active: 09/09/05 - 11/30/08

Sponsored by: US Dept. of Transportation (DOT)

Principal Investigators:
Youngsoo R. Kim, Murthy N. Guddati

Development of a Design Tool for Planning Aqueous Amendment Injection Systems

The overall objective of this project is to develop a set of tools to assist design engineers in developing effective, reasonably efficient systems for distributing aqueous amendments for in situ treatment of groundwater contaminants. At this time, the primary applications for the tools will be for design of in situ chemical oxidation systems using permanganate and in situ anaerobic bioremediation systems using soluble substrates and emulsified oil. However, as technology evolves, this general approach should be applicable to distribution of other aqueous amendments. …more

Active: 03/31/06 - 03/31/12

DDDAS-TMRP (Collaborative Research): An Adaptive Cyberinfrastructure for Threat Management in Urban Water Distribution Systems

This International Research and Education in Engineering (IREE) supplement is requested to support travel and subsistence expenses for Dr. Emily Zechman, a post-doctoral research scientist working on the current DDDAS project to visit and collaborate with world renowned scientists at the International Institute for Applied Systems Analysis (IIASA) in Vienna. Dr. Zechman will work with the Integrated Modeling Environment (IME) and Dynamic Systems Analysis (DSA) groups at IIASA in the development of novel optimization techniques for model autocalibration under dynamic and uncertain conditions with specific application to water distribution systems. This collaboration is expected to benefit all parties, and in particular, will bring an international dimension to the DDDAS program. Dr. Zechman is an exceptionally qualified minority candidate (female, US citizen) with a strong interest in pursuing an academic career in a US institution. …more

Active: 01/01/06 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan, Earl D. Brill

Predictive Tools for Sustainable Solid Waste Management Using Bioreactor Landfills

Summary This is a request for an REU supplement on a project entitled ?Predictive Tools for Sustainable Solid Waste Management Using Bioreactor Landfills.? Funds are requested for two undergraduate students for this ongoing research project. Each student will be required to formulate a testable hypothesis and experimental design. The students will be given some latitude to select a topic of interest that fits within the overall project objectives. I will make a specific effort to recruit members of underrepresented groups by discussing the REU opportunity with colleagues and by sending an advertisement to list-servs for under-represented groups (e.g. Society of Women Engineers, National Society of Black Engineers). …more

Active: 02/01/06 - 09/30/10

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Louis A Martin-Vega, Nino A. Masnari

Models for Predicting Top-Down Cracking of Hot-Mix Asphalt Layers

This proposal is a subcontract proposal to the University of Florida. The primary funding organization is the National Cooperative Highway Research Program and the NCHRP project number is 1-42A. The objective of the proposed research is to develop mechanistic procedures to evaluate the top-down cracking propensity of asphalt pavement as a function of various factors and to predict the top-down cracking performance of asphalt pavement. The viscoelastic continuum damage finite element program, VECD-FEP++, will be used in the proposed study. …more

Active: 05/01/06 - 02/16/10

Master Agreement - Scientific, Technical, Research, Engineering, and Modeling Support (STREAMS)

The purpose of this contract is to support the development and evaluation of technologies, processes, and tools to prevent or reduce pollution of air, land, and water, and to restore ecosystems. NCSU?s primary role in this effort will be in the area of proof of concept, laboratory scale, and bench scale experiments related to the management, treatment, and disposal of wastes.

Active: 09/27/05 - 09/26/10

Sponsored by: RTI International (aka Research Triangle Institute)

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Henry C. Frey, Robert C. Borden, Joel J. Ducoste, Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II, Detlef R. Knappe

Removal of 2-Methylisoborneol and Geosmin With High-Silica Zeolites and Zeolite-Enhanced Ozonation

The principal objective of this research is to investigate two innovative treatment methods for the control of earthy/musty odors associated with the presence of 2-methylisoborneol (MIB) and geosmin in drinking water. Treatment method 1 is an adsorption/reaction process based on the use of high-silica zeolites, a class of catalytic adsorbents that has not been studied extensively for water treatment applications, while treatment method 2 is an adsorption/oxidation process based on the combined use of high-silica zeolites and ozone (zeolite-enhanced ozonation). Specific objectives of this research are (1) to determine zeolite pore sizes and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios that are most suitable for the adsorptive/reactive removal of MIB and geosmin, (2) to assess the effects of co-adsorbing and preloaded NOM on MIB/geosmin removals by high-silica zeolites, (3) to measure ozone adsorption capacities and decomposition rates for zeolites of different pore structures and SiO2/Al2O3 ratios, (4) to compare MIB/geosmin removal rates achievable with zeolite-enhanced ozonation to those achievable with conventional ozonation, and (5) to compare bromate formation in zeolite-enhanced ozonation and conventional ozonation processes. The results of this research will show whether high-silica zeolites or zeolite-enhanced ozonation are cost-effective treatment alternatives for the removal of MIB and geosmin from drinking water. …more

Active: 02/01/06 - 01/01/10

Sponsored by: Water Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Detlef R. Knappe

Evaluation of Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for Modeling UV-Initiated Advanced Oxidation Processes

The use of ultraviolet (UV) initiated advanced oxidation processes (AOP) are rapidly becoming an attractive alternative for the degradation of harmful organic contaminants that are not easily removed in conventional treatment processes for drinking water. In this study, AOPs utilizing UV and hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) will be investigated. The yield of such systems is a function of the chemical kinetics and reactor design. Optimization and control of these reactors is critical for predicting the end results while minimizing design and operation costs. While some numerical techniques have been developed for understanding the performance of these processes, they are limited in their applicability for analyzing full scale UV systems. As a result, engineers involved with UV/AOP system design will need more appropriate numerical tools that will assist them in optimizing efficient drinking water UV/AOP systems. The principal objective of this research is to evaluate Computational Fluid Dynamics (CFD) for modeling UV-initiated AOPs that will ultimately help engineers in consulting, research, and water treatment facilities analyze and design drinking water UV/AOP systems. Specific objectives are to 1) develop and validate a dynamic UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation CFD model that can be applied to the complex kinetic pathways for degradation of various water supply contaminants, 2) utilize CFD models to quantify the effects of non-ideal reactor hydraulics on the degradation of contaminants using the UV/H2O2 advanced oxidation process, 3) evaluate the impact of model parameters on simulation performance of UV-initiated AOP systems using low-pressure high-output and medium-pressure lamps, 4) optimize system design parameters, including the effects of multiple lamps, lamp arrangement, and lamp failure on the overall efficiency of the AOP system, and 5) determine the effects of secondary species, such as hydroxyl radical scavengers, on UV absorption, reactivity, and degradation of contaminants. The approach consists of several tasks. During tasks 1 and 2, collimated beam experiments will be performed to verify chemical reaction rate constants that are part of the target contaminant, Phenol, degradation pathway. Tasks 3-6 involve experimental validation of CFD/UV/AOP models. Tasks 7-10 investigate the impact of upstream and internal reactor configuration, lamps out of service, lamp aging, and water quality conditions on the UV/AOP performance. The experimental data from Tasks 7-10 will be used to evaluate the CFD model performance under those conditions. EEO calculations will be performed in Task 11 based on the data collected from Tasks 3-10. Finally, Task 12 will encompass the development of a UV/AOP design protocol that will provide guidance to WTP professionals on how to navigate through the UV/AOP design process using the experimental and numerical techniques presented in Tasks 1-11. Following the proposed experimental and mathematical developments, the expected results of this study include 1) an improved understanding of the impacts of hydrodynamics on UV/AOP reactor performance, 2) a higher degree of confidence on the application of hydrodynamic UV/AOP models for the prediction of and improvement of reactor performance, 3) the development of enhanced tools for the analysis of drinking water UV/AOP systems, and finally 4) the development of a detailed design protocol that provide engineers with a road map to cost effective evaluation and design of drinking water UV/AOP systems. …more

Active: 01/01/06 - 07/15/09

Sponsored by: Water Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Joel J. Ducoste, Detlef R. Knappe

Effects of Low Temperature on Strength and Ductility of Bridge Structures in Seismic Regions

Research team will travel to Alaska to present research findings to funding agency.

Active: 06/01/05 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: Alaska Department of Transportation

Principal Investigators:
Mervyn J. Kowalsky, Tasnim Hassan, James M. Nau

Application of Municipal Solid Waste Decision Support Tool to Wake County, North Carolina

We propose to do the following for Wake County, with intermediate targets and deliverables. - Review existing data provided by Wake County on: -- waste characterization by several cities in Wake County -- engineering design reports on composting and waste-to-energy combustion facilities that have been prepared for the county Working in coordination with the county solid waste staff, this review would be conducted to obtain as much site-specific data as possible for input to the SWM-LCI (Solid Waste Management Life Cycle Inventory) model. Based on this information, we will develop input data and a strategy to represent Wake County in the SWM-LCI model. This will take advantage of the existing model's flexibility to represent a site-specific scenario. …more

Active: 12/10/04 - 08/31/09

Sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Sanmugavadivel Ranjithan

Evaluation of a New High Corrosive Resistant Steel Reinforcement for Concrete Structures in the Miditerian Salt Environments

The proposed research is a joint program between North Carolina State University, NC, USA, represented by Dr. Sami H. Rizkalla and Ain-shams University, Cairo, Egypt, represented by Dr. Tarek K. Hassan. The prime objective of the proposed research is to investigate the effective use of these innovative, highly corrosion resistance, high strength steel reinforcement for use in highway concrete bridge applications and structures in Egypt . The steel is produced by MMFX Steel Corporation of America and commercially known as "Micro-composite Multistructural Formable Steel" or "MMFX Steel" The proposed testing program will be conducted at the Structural Laboratory at Ain-shams University, Cairo, Egypt. The MMFX rebars will donated by MMFX Coporation . The analytical component will include numerical simulation using cracked section analysis to determine the influence of several parameters, which are known to affect the design requirements for reinforced concrete structures. The effect of the various limitations on the flexural strength and ductility of concrete members reinforced with MMFX will be considered. Based on the research findings, design recommendations for the use of MMFX as main flexural reinforcement for concrete structures will be provided. The research team has demonstrated expertise in the areas of design, development, code writing, testing of highway structures and strategic planning. Dr. Rizkalla and Dr. Hassan have co-authored over 30 technical papers and seven technical reports since 1998. With the expertise of the research team and the full-co-operational between both institutions, the anticipated results of this project will be comprehensive and authoritative documents for flexural design provisions for MMFX rebars will be provided. …more

Active: 09/01/05 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

Fats, Roots, Oils, and Grease (FROG) in Centralized and Decentralized Systems

The proposed research project will investigate ways to improve grease interceptor performance through novel experimental and numerical techniques. The experimental work includes field measurements of FOG from active grease interceptors located at different food service establishments (FSE). Tests will be conducted during peak FSE operation (i.e., breakfast, lunch, and dinner) as well as under varying conditions (i.e., upstream food grinders, high temperature discharge, detergents/emulsifiers). Data from these field tests will be used to develop a synthetic FSE wastewater that will be used to perform pilot scale grease interceptor tests. The pilot scale tests will be performed using a 300 gallon grease interceptor under varying conditions observed during the field tests. Along with influent and effluent measurements, FOG and solid measurements will be performed spatially within the pilot scale grease interceptor. The data from these pilot scale measurements will be used to validate 3-D three?phase numerical models of the grease interceptor process. Once the model has been experimentally validated, the grease interceptor model will be used to explore alternative designs (i.e., inlet/outlet and baffle configurations) that can be used to improve the grease interceptor performance. The optimal design configuration determined from the numerical model will then be applied to the pilot scale grease interceptor. In addition to these grease interceptor analyses, the proposed research will explore the impact of sewer pipe material as it relates to FOG deposition and roots on the development of sanitary sewer overflows (SSO). This research will perform surface roughness tests and surface polarity tests on both pipe and root material to determine if there is any preferential deposition of FOG solids on these surfaces. Research will also be done to investigate the type of vegetation that are responsible for root intrusion into the sewer main and determine if the resulting surface area produced by these root intrusions is a function of vegetation type. Finally, the results of this research will be used to provide guidance to the International Association of Plumbing & Mechanical Officials (IAPMO) for consideration for inclusion into the Uniform Plumbing Code (UPC). The proposed research is novel and provides a foundation for examining the influence of fats, roots, oil, and grease (FROG), food grinders, and grease interceptor design on sanitary sewer overflows. This research will be the first to develop a link between the effects of food grinders on grease interceptors through field measurements made by mid-IR infrared spectroscopy for total oil and grease analysis using an InfraCal analyzer (Wilks Enterprise, Norwalk, CT). This research will be the first to develop a validated 3-D three-phase flow model of a grease interceptor to further explore the impact of design changes, operation and maintenance conditions on the removal of solids and FOG. The proposed research will also be the first to perform surface roughness and polarity measurements of different piping material as well as different tree plant root material to determine their impact on preferential deposition of FOG solids formed in the sewer mains. The major benefit from this research is that scientific data on FROG and grease interceptors will be obtained. This data can then be used to support changes, if needed, to existing policies. WERF cities and municipalities will be provided data on grease interceptors, food grinders, FROG chemistry, and the influence of piping material on FOG deposits. With this data, engineers will be better equipped to improve the design and performance of grease interceptors. Ultimately, the legacy of this research will be that it provided initial research on the reduction of SSOs due to FROG. …more

Active: 03/01/05 - 12/05/08

Sponsored by: Water Environment Research Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Joel J. Ducoste, Kevin M. Keener

Study of Landfill Gas as a Pathway for Chemical and Biological Contaminants

The overall objectives of the proposed research are to (1) develop and validate a model to predict the behavior of chemical contaminants in refuse and (2) to measure the survival and transport of biological agents in landfills.

Active: 08/25/04 - 12/31/09

Sponsored by: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)

Principal Investigators:
Morton A. Barlaz, Detlef R. Knappe, Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II

Microbial Community Profiling of Anaerobic Refuse Decomposition: Response to Acidic Conditions, Shock Loads and Moisture Addition

The objective of the proposed research is to understand the characteristics of multiple sulfate-containing wastes so to estimate their bioavailability after disposal in a landfill. An understanding of sulfate bioavailability for specific wastes is important as it supports the ability to predict the rate and extent of sulfate conversion to hydrogen sulfide. Information on hydrogen sulfide generation is needed to estimate the quantity of sulfate containing wastes that can be disposed without unacceptably high H2S concentrations in landfill gas. …more

Active: 04/01/04 - 04/30/13

SST: Polymer Fiber Waveguide Sensors for Performance-Based Assessment and Health Monitoring of Civil Infrastructure Systems

REU Supplement to support undergrad students during summer 2007 for work on sensors research.

Active: 08/15/04 - 07/31/08

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan, Kara Jo Peters, Mervyn J. Kowalsky

A Multiscale Study of Ratcheting Failure Mechanisms in Austenitic and Ferritic Steel Welded Joints

This proposal is requesting for Research Experience for Undergraduate (REU) supplement grant for one undergraduate student to participate in the research activities supported by the NSF Grant # DMR-0408910, ?A Multiscale Study of Ratcheting Failure Mechanisms in Austenitic and Ferritic Steel Welded Joints.? Through this supplemental grant a female undergraduate student, Ms. Patricia Clayton, who is currently working on the project, will continue to work during the summer and fall semesters in 2006, starting from May 15, 2006. …more

Active: 08/15/04 - 01/31/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Tasnim Hassan, Korukonda L. Murty

Ecophysiology of Nitrifying and Denitrifying Microbial Communities and their Interactions in Microbial Flocs

This is an IREE (International Research and Education in Engineering) supplement to an existing NSF project.

Active: 08/15/04 - 07/31/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Francis Lajara De Los Reyes II, Michael R. Hyman, Joel J. Ducoste

Life Cycle Inventory and Impact Analysis Framework for Nonroad Construction Vehicles and Equipment Based Upon In-use

No abstract provided.

Active: 09/15/03 - 08/31/08

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, William J. Rasdorf

RB2C-Membership Agreement

Innovative 3-D FRP Sandwich Panels for Transportation and Infrastructure The main objective of this research program is to evaluate the structural performance of 3-D FRP sandwich panels. The panels consist of GFRP laminates and foam core sandwich where top and bottom skin GFRP layers are connected together with through thickness fibers. The experimental program consists of three phases. Fundamental material properties in tension, shear and compression are evaluated in the first phase of the experimental program. The second phase focuses on the overall panel behavior under various loading conditions. The flexural, one-way and two-way shear behaviors of FRP sandwich panels are investigated. The third phase of the experimental program will focus on the behavior of the panels as used in the trailer industry. Two full-scale 3-D FRP sandwich panels having different thicknesses were tested under simulated truck wheel load. The main variables in this study include the density of through thickness fibers. The stiffness, load-deflection behavior and failure modes of the FRP sandwich panels were evaluated. Future Work The research team will continue to study the behavior and evaluate the engineering properties of various types of 3-D FRP sandwich panels. It is estimated that the first and the second phases of the experimental program will be completed within the next three to six months. The specimens will be subjected to different loading scenarios and boundary conditions that simulate the actual stress states in the sandwich panels. The research will be extended within the next two years to develop a finite element model for 3-D FRP sandwich panels using ANSYS. The model will be capable of predicting the behavior as well as the ultimate load carrying capacity of FRP sandwich panels. Results of the analysis will be used to customize the fabrication process according to the needs of various applications. …more

Active: 07/01/02 - 06/30/10

Sponsored by: Martin Marietta Composites

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla

CAREER: High-End Computing In Environmental Engineering With Application to Subsurface Characterization

No abstract provided.

Active: 07/01/03 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Gnanamanikam Mahinthakumar

In-Vehicle Energy and Emissions Information System

No abstract provided.

Active: 01/01/03 - 12/31/08

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Henry C. Frey, Nagui M. Rouphail

Research Site of the I/UCRC Entitled: Repair of Building and Bridges with Composites

Structural health monitoring (SHM) has matured as an engineering application over the last few decades. The use of advanced composite materials and new construction techniques has increased the need for SHM as a diagnostic tool. However, health diagnostics is a reactive basis to investigate the cause of damage for maintenance decisions. To reduce the risk of failure, maintenance must be carried out in a more proactive way. In support of this goal, predictive techniques are required to identify leading indicators of failure prior to appearance of any macro-indicators of damage. This proposed project is focused on Collaborative Research on Developing a Telematics Platform for Bridge Monitoring and Health Prognostics, as aged and deteriorating bridges are becoming more severe choke points in the economic strength and growth of the United States. …more

Active: 07/15/02 - 06/30/09

Sponsored by: National Science Foundation

Principal Investigators:
Sami H. Rizkalla, Rudra Dutta, Mihail L. Sichitiu

STC Education Component: Educational Funding for Transportation Safety

Transportation professionals rank safety as the #1 transportation problem because of the many deaths, injuries and property losses suffered each year. However, transportation safety does not enjoy the high-tech or hot topic status of some disciplines, and consequently relatively few students focus on safety in undergraduate and graduate education. This lack of student attention to traffic and transportation engineering persists in spite of the fact that US News and World Report identified the transportation as one of the top five professions needing a relatively large number of new professionals in the years 2000 - 2010. The objectives of this educational assistance program are to increase the number of graduate and undergraduate students taking transportation systems courses, to increase student participation in transportation safety-related courses and projects, and to increase professionals in the transportation field. Through the STC Educational Program, the NCSU Department of Civil, Construction, and Environmental Engineering will provide support to graduate and undergraduate students in transportation. Without competitive support, the students will likely not study in this critical discipline or they will attend other universities. …more

Active: 08/01/99 - 07/31/08

Sponsored by: University of Tennessee

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone

Transportation Safety: Opportunities for Multidisciplinary Education, Research and Technology Transfer

No abstract provided.

Active: 08/01/99 - 07/31/08

Sponsored by: University of Tennessee

Principal Investigators:
John R. Stone