Civil Engineering Studies


Book Description




Field Performance of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement in Illinois


Book Description

This report reviews the design and performance of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) in Illinois. Illinois has built over 4,267 two-lane km (2,650 miles) of CRCP on the Interstate system since the mid-1950s. CRCP has been constructed on nearly all urban freeways in the Chicago area and has shown excellent performance under severe weather and heavy traffic conditions. The effect of key design and construction parameters on long-term CRCP performance is investigated using a database that was compiled based on field surveys conducted from 1977 to 1994 by the Illinois Department of Transportation (I DOT). Analysis of the data shows the following variables have significant effects on performance: longitudinal reinforcement content (greatest effect of all variables), slab thickness (also very significant), traffic load applications, depth of reinforcement, base type, and 0-cracking of concrete. CRCP built with tubes or chairs exhibited overall about the same performance. Experimental field studies in Illinois showed that depth of reinforcement has a large effect on crack width and, eventually, on punchouts.







Interstate 80 Pavement Rehabilitation Corridor Study


Book Description

This report presents findings on the past, present, and expected future performance and rehabilitation needs of the pavement on the Interstate 1-80 highway corridor that transverses northern Illinois. The results presented herein cover the time period from initial construction in the 1960's through 2015. The objective of this study is to provide information for lDOT management and engineers to assist in maintaining this critical east-west highway in operating condition and to determine the funding needed for long-term planning and programming. The results are also useful in planning a future rehabilitation strategy to minimize disruption to the traveling public.




Work Zones and Their Impact on User Costs


Book Description

This report defines a work zone, its capacity, and how it is estimated. The importance of capacity is also mentioned since it is directly used in the calculation of user delay due to a work zone. The impact of delay on user costs is also discussed. A methodology is presented which relates queue delay with ADT. Queue delay due to a work zone is calculated using a plot between time, cumulative volume, and capacity. The area between the curves represents queue delay. Three software packages are evaluated for calculation of user delay and cost due to a work zone. None of them were adequate for calculating delay due to queue formation.







Improving Crop Estimates by Integrating Multiple Data Sources


Book Description

The National Agricultural Statistics Service (NASS) is the primary statistical data collection agency within the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA). NASS conducts hundreds of surveys each year and prepares reports covering virtually every aspect of U.S. agriculture. Among the small-area estimates produced by NASS are county-level estimates for crops (planted acres, harvested acres, production, and yield by commodity) and for cash rental rates for irrigated cropland, nonirrigated cropland, and permanent pastureland. Key users of these county-level estimates include USDA's Farm Services Agency (FSA) and Risk Management Agency (RMA), which use the estimates as part of their processes for distributing farm subsidies and providing farm insurance, respectively. Improving Crop Estimates by Integrating Multiple Data Sources assesses county-level crop and cash rents estimates, and offers recommendations on methods for integrating data sources to provide more precise county-level estimates of acreage and yield for major crops and of cash rents by land use. This report considers technical issues involved in using the available data sources, such as methods for integrating the data, the assumptions underpinning the use of each source, the robustness of the resulting estimates, and the properties of desirable estimates of uncertainty.




Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biopharmaceuticals


Book Description

"The goal is to provide a comprehensive reference book for the preclinicaldiscovery and development scientist whose responsibilities span target identification, lead candidate selection, pharmacokinetics, pharmacology, and toxicology, and for regulatory scientists whose responsibilities include the evaluation of novel therapies." —From the Afterword by Anthony D. Dayan Proper preclinical safety evaluation can improve the predictive value, lessen the time and cost of launching new biopharmaceuticals, and speed potentially lifesaving drugs to market. This guide covers topics ranging from lead candidate selection to establishing proof of concept and toxicity testing to the selection of the first human doses. With chapters contributed by experts in their specific areas, Preclinical Safety Evaluation of Biopharmaceuticals: A Science-Based Approach to Facilitating Clinical Trials: Includes an overview of biopharmaceuticals with information on regulation and methods of production Discusses the principles of ICH S6 and their implementation in the U.S., Europe, and Japan Covers current practices in preclinical development and includes a comparison of safety assessments for small molecules with those for biopharmaceuticals Addresses all aspects of the preclinical evaluation process, including: the selection of relevant species; safety/toxicity endpoints; specific considerations based upon class; and practical considerations in the design, implementation, and analysis of biopharmaceuticals Covers transitioning from preclinical development to clinical trials This is a hands-on, straightforward reference for professionals involved in preclinical drug development, including scientists, toxicologists, project managers, consultants, and regulatory personnel.