Retaining wall systems are widely used throughout seismically active areas like California. They represent key elements of important constructed facilities and their potential damage is connected with significant physical and economic consequences. While their design for static applications has been practiced by many sectors, their seismic design has not been extensively developed with a lack …
Tag Archive: Civil
Mar
13
Evolving and confirming estimated parameters based on structural health monitoring data
A new Evolving-Confirmed process ECP) is introduced that utilizes construction loads for more accurate baseline condition estimations in medium or large civil structures. The structural response, measured during construction, serves as the ECP input to estimate the initially undamaged state, or baseline condition of the structure. Parameters are estimated and evolved over a sequence of …
Mar
13
Development of a Probe-Based Proactive coordinated Ramp Metering Approach
In this thesis, a new proactive coordinated ramp metering approach is developed based on speed data obtained from vehicle probe technology (or in future from IntelliDrive). The objective function formulated in this approach minimizes the total vehicular travel time and delay experienced by vehicles on the freeway and on-ramps. A rolling horizon framework is formulated …
Mar
13
Artificial neural network approach to crash modeling and prediction
The focus of this dissertation is on the evaluation of artificial neural network modeling techniques for intersection crash prediction. Two types of artificial neural network modeling techniques were evaluated—the back propagation neural network modeling and the Bayesian neural network modeling. This dissertation is the first known study to evaluate the use of Bayesian neural networks …
Mar
13
Aerodynamic behaviour of rectangular prisms with sharp edges at high Reynolds number
This research is aimed at depicting Reynolds number effect on bluff-body shapes with sharp edges. Nine rectangular prisms were tested: three fineness ratios width-to-depth) of 2:1, 3:1 and 4:1 and three edge configurations, namely square edges, small chamfer and large chamfer. Tests were done in a pressurised wind tunnel for a Reynolds number range from …
Mar
13
The effect of fiber corrosion on shear capacity of steel fiber reinforced concrete beams and an initial investigation on alkali-silica reaction in steel fiber reinforced concrete
The first part of this research aims to investigate the effect of fiber corrosion on the shear capacity of Steel Fiber Reinforced Concrete beams. It will also strive to determine at what reduction in minimum diameter of the fiber does the effect of corrosion become most severe on the shear capacity of the beam. Four …
Mar
12
Routing and Traffic Assignment in Stochastic Networks
Existing studies have revealed the significant influence of travel time reliability on travel decisions. With the information about travel time reliability, an individual traveler can better arrange his/her travel according to trip purpose and risk preference. Accordingly, transportation planning agencies should anticipate the impact of such behavior on the planning, management and operation of transportation …
Mar
12
Production planning approach for implementing sustainable building projects
Sustainable buildings have received effective responses for application in recent years and are gradually becoming a part of mainstream in the construction industry. However, the process of delivering a high sustainable-performance building has led to a more complex construction practice by the increment of specialized processes involved. In great extent, the complexities associated are deemed …
Mar
12
The effect of wall and backfill soil deterioration on corrugated metal culvert stability
Ministries and departments of transportation are working to undertake assessments of deteriorated metal culverts. To assist with these assessments by developing rational methods of classifying culverts, to select those requiring replacement or repair, the current thesis studied the effects of metal corrosion and backfill erosion on culvert stability. Finite element calculations were used to explain …
Mar
12
A Decision-Support Framework for Choosing a Project Delivery System (PDS) in a Multi-Project Environment
The use of an appropriate Project Delivery System PDS) can significantly increase the project efficiency and success rate. Designing a PDS however is a difficult task because: 1) decisions are made early in the project planning phase when only limited and imprecise project information is available； 2) decisions involve choosing between a variety of PDSs …