Small Projects Year 2 (2013-2014)
Investigating the Feasibility of Using QR (Quick Response) Codes for Construction Document Control in Highway Construction
PI: Hyun Woo Lee (OSU), hw.chris.lee@oregonstate.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-37-OSU-Lee
The success of construction operations depends on the effective management of a variety of construction documents such as drawings and specifications. Despite this importance, the construction industry still lags behind other industries in its use of information technology (IT) and mobile devices in document controls. Thus, hard copy documentation still prevails as the primary method of document management within the industry. In particular, the unique nature of highway construction adds more challenges to the document control of departments of Transportation (DOTs) due to geographically dispersed operations and prolonged nighttime operations. Read More
Improved Corrosion Inspection Procedures for Reinforced Concrete Bridges: Electrical Resistivity of Concrete
PI: O. Burkan Isgor (OSU), burkan.isgor@oregonstate.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-50-OSU-Isgor
First-level inspection procedures (e.g. visual inspection, chain drag or hammer sound tests) to detect corrosion-related issues in reinforced concrete bridges work only after significant damage to the structure has already occurred in the form of excessive cracking and/or delamination. Early detection and accurate monitoring of corrosion activity require more detailed inspections, which may include half-cell potential mapping and/or taking cores for laboratory analyses for mechanical properties and chloride profiling. Read More
Alternative Information Signs: An Evaluation of Driver Comprehension and Visual Attention
PI: David Hurwitz (OSU), david.hurwitz@oregonstate.edu
Co-Investigator: Michael Olsen (OSU)
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 8/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-29-OSU-Hurwitz
Roadway signs are a key component to promote safe and efficient transportation systems by providing simple messages to road users. One common sign type, the symbol sign, uses a recognized and widely understood symbol to efficiently convey information rather than words, numbers, or other means of communication. The “Information” sign is often used to indicate locations where motorists can obtain information about local roads, tourist attractions, and community services. The symbol currently specified in the Manual of Urban Traffic Control Devices (MUTCD) for the Information sign is “INFO” in white text on a blue background (2009). Read More
Improving Sustainability of Urban Streets via Rain Gardens – How Effective Are These Practices in the Pacific Northwest?
PI: Meghna Babbar-Sebens (OSU), meghna@oregonstate.edu
Dates: 07/01/2013 – 7/31/2015
Final Project Report: PacTrans-46-OSU-Babbar-Sebens
Stormwater managers and engineers are required to evaluate the effectiveness of any best management practice (BMP) that is implemented by a city on its roadways. While artificial drainage systems are easier to evaluate, natural drainage systems are more challenging because of the variability in the design of the system itself. Better monitoring and evaluation methods are needed to evaluate the performance of such systems in the Pacific Northwest climate, since they are also sensitive to the runoff flows they receive and to the climate in the region they are installed. Read More
