Evaluation of U.S. and European Concrete Pavement Noise Reduction Methods, July 2006

Highway noise is one of the most pressing of the surface characteristics issues facing the concrete paving industry. This is particularly true in urban areas, where not only is there a higher population density near major thoroughfares, but also a greater volume of commuter traffic (Sandberg and Ejsmont 2002; van Keulen 2004). To help address this issue, the National Concrete Pavement Technology Center (CP Tech Center) at Iowa State University (ISU), Federal Highway Administration (FHWA), American Concrete Pavement Association (ACPA), and other organizations have partnered to conduct a multi-part, seven-year Concrete Pavement Surface Characteristics Project. This document contains the results of Part 1, Task 2, of the ISU-FHWA project, addressing the noise issue by evaluating conventional and innovative concrete pavement noise reduction methods. The first objective of this task was to determine what if any concrete surface textures currently constructed in the United States or Europe were considered quiet, had long-term friction characteristics, could be consistently built, and were cost effective. Any specifications of such concrete textures would be included in this report. The second objective was to determine whether any promising new concrete pavement surfaces to control tire-pavement noise and friction were in the development stage and, if so, what further research was necessary. The final objective was to identify measurement techniques used in the evaluation

Highway Cross Slope Measurement Using Airborne and Mobile LiDAR

Ensuring adequate pavement cross slope on highways can improve driver safety by reducing the potential for water sheeting and ponding. Collecting cross slope data is typically only based on small sample because efficient technology and means to collect accurate cross slope data has been evasive. The advent of Light Detection and Ranging (LiDAR) scanning technology has proven to be a valuable tool in the creation of 3D terrain models. Combined with other technologies such as Global Positioning Systems (GPS) and Inertial Measurement Unit devices (IMU) it is now possible to collect accurate 3D coordinate data in the form of a point cloud while the data collection system is moving. This study provides an evaluation of both Airborne LiDAR Scanning (ALS) and Mobile Terrestrial LiDAR Scanning (MTLS) systems regarding the accuracy and precision of collected cross slope data and documentation of procedures needed to calibrate, collect, and process this data. ALS data was collected by a single vendor on a section of freeway in Spartanburg, South Carolina and MTLS data was collected by six vendors on four roadway sections in South Carolina. The MTLS cross slopes were measured on 23 test stations using conventional surveying methods and compared with the LiDAR-extracted cross slopes. Results indicate that both adjusted and unadjusted MTLS derived cross slopes meets suggested cross slope accuracies (±0.2%). Unadjusted LiDAR data did incorporate corrections from an integrated inertial measurement unit, and high accuracy real-time kinematic GPS, however, was not post-processed adjusted with ground control points. Similarly, airborne LiDAR-extracted cross slopes was compared with conventional surveying measurement on five test stations along the freeway study section. Whereas, the ALS data accuracy was over the minimum acceptable error when two sides of the travel lanes were used to estimate the cross slope, the use of a fitted line to derive the cross slope provided accuracies similar to the MTLS systems. The levels of accuracy demonstrate that MTLS and ALS can be reliable methods for cross slope verification. Adoption of LiDAR would enable South Carolina Department of Transportation (SCDOT) or other highway agencies to proactively address cross slope and drainage issues. When rain falls on a pavement surface, the water depth that accumulates can result in hydroplaning. Previous research has not clearly defined a water depth at which hydroplaning occurs; however, there is considerable agreement that a water depth equal to 0.06 inches as the acceptable upper limit of water depth to minimize the possibility of hydroplaning. This research also explored the potential for hydroplaning with regard to the range of vehicle speed, tire tread depth, tire pressure, and pavement surface texture. Using the results of the sensitivity analysis to provide roadway context combined with MTLS derived cross slope data, SCDOT and other highway agencies can use a data driven approach to evaluate cross slopes and road segments that need corrective measures to minimize hydroplaning potential and enhance safety

Colorado water, August 2019

The newsletter is devoted to highlighting water research and activities at CSU and throughout Colorado.Newsletter of the Colorado Water Center. Theme: Hydrology Days 2019

Plasmon excitations in metallic nanostructures

A new hyperspectral imaging technique and apparatus for imaging plasmon excitations and cathodoluminescence in nanostructures with nanoscale resolution have been developed. The apparatus, based on a scanning electron microscope synchronized with a multi-channel spectrum analyzer, allows for collection and detection of optical electron-induced emission from a sample in two configurations (high efficiency and high angular resolution modes) and in the wavelength region from 350 to 1150 nm with 0.8 nm spectral resolution and high quantum efficiency.Using this instrument it was demonstrated that the injection of a beam of free electrons into an unstructured metal surface creates a highly localized nanoscale source of SPPs. It was shown that on a gold surface a 50 keV electron beam of 10 μA current creates a 10 nW source of plasmons with the spectrum spreading from 350 to 1150 nm. The plasmons were detected by controlled decoupling into light with a grating at a distance from the excitation point. The 30 nm delocalization of the plasmon source at the grating was demonstrated and decay lengths of SPPs were measured.The hyperspectral imaging technique was used to study plasmon emission, induced by an electron beam excitation on gold monocrystal decahedronshaped nanoparticles and dimers consisting of such nanoparticles. It was shown that in 100 nm gold decahedron-shaped nanoparticles electron-induced plasmon emission is excited in the spectral range from 350 to 850 nm. The dependence of spatial and spectral structure of dimer plasmon emission on wavelength and separation between the nanoparticles within the dimer was studied. The excitation of hybridized mode on a dimer with a 50 nm gap between the particles was detected at wavelength 600 nm. It was demonstrated that the electromagnetic field structure near a plasmonic nanoparticle forms a vortex. It was shown that the power-flow lines of linear polarized monochromatic light interacting with a metal lambda/20 nanoparticle, in the proximity of its plasmon resonance, form whirlpool-like nanoscale optical vortices (optical whirlpools). Both spherical and spheroidal particles were studied using analytical Mie theory and the Finite Element method. One of two types of vortices, inward or outward, was observed depending on the sign of frequency detuning between the external field and plasmon resonance of the nanoparticle

Cultural Resources Investigations of the Vista Ridge Regional Water Supply Project in Burleson, Lee, Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal and Bexar Counties, Texas

On behalf of VRRSP Consultants, LLC and Central Texas Regional Water Supply Corporation (CTRWSC), SWCA Environmental Consultants (SWCA) conducted cultural resources investigations of the Vista Ridge Regional Water Supply (Vista Ridge) Project in Burleson, Lee, Bastrop, Caldwell, Guadalupe, Comal, and Bexar Counties. The work will involve installation of a 139.45-mile-long, 60-inch-diameter water pipeline from northcentral San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas, to Deanville, Burleson County, Texas. The report details the findings of investigations from June 2015 to December 2015, on the alignment dated December 8, 2015 (December 8th). The Vista Ridge Project is subject to review under Section 106 of the National Historic Preservation Act (54 USC 306108) and its implementing regulations (36 CFR 800), in anticipation of a Nationwide Permit 12 from the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers in accordance with Section 404 of the Clean Water Act. In addition, the work is subject to compliance with the Antiquities Code of Texas under Permit Number 7295, as the Vista Ridge Project will be ultimately owned by a political subdivision of the State of Texas. The cultural resources investigations included a background review and intensive field survey. The background review identified previous investigations, recorded archaeological sites, National Register of Historic Places (NRHP) properties, cemeteries, standing structures, and other known cultural resources within a 0.50-mile radius of the project area. The field investigations conducted from June 2015 through December 2015 assessed all accessible portions of the proposed December 8th alignment as of December 25, 2015. Approximately 101.8 miles of the 139.45-mile alignment has been surveyed. Approximately 24.42 miles were not surveyed based on the results of the background review and extensive disturbances as confirmed by vehicular survey. The remaining 13.23 miles that require survey were either unavailable due to landowner restrictions or part of a newly adopted reroute. SWCA also surveyed additional mileage, which includes rerouted areas that are no longer part of the December 8th alignment. The inventory identified 59 cultural resources, including 52 archaeological sites and seven isolated finds. In addition to newly recorded resources, two previously recorded archaeological sites were revisited, and two cemeteries were documented. Of the 52 newly recorded archaeological sites, seven are recommended for further work or avoidance. Of the two revisited archeological sites, one is recommended for further work or avoidance within the project area. Avoidance is recommended for both documented cemeteries. The resources with undetermined eligibility require additional testing or other avenues of research before SWCA can make a firm recommendation about their eligibility for nomination to the NRHP and designation as State Antiquities Landmarks (SALs). As part of a management strategy, the resources with undetermined eligibility may also be avoided by reroute or boring beneath. The remaining 45 cultural resources are recommended not eligible for inclusion to the NRHP or for designation as SALs and no further cultural resources investigations or avoidance strategies are recommended

Bibliography

CER63SSK46.Prepared for U.S. Department of Commerce, Bureau of Public Roads, Division of Hydraulic Research under contract 11-8022.November 1963

In-Drift Natural Convection and Condensation

The Yucca Mountain repository configuration consists of waste packages stored inside of underground tunnels, or drifts. The waste packages generate heat due to radioactive decay, and moisture flows into and out of the drifts in liquid and vapor form. Heat and mass transfer within the drifts, including interaction with the surrounding rock, are potentially important processes for the performance of the repository. The present report documents models for in-drift heat and mass transfer during the post-closure period. Pre-closure, or ventilated, conditions are documented in a separate report (BSC 2004 [DIRS 169862])

Design study of a space motion simulator final report

Space motion simulator for astronaut while under conditions of zero or reduced gravit