Archive for December 2011

Our last Civil Engineering Seminar of this semester will be presented by Bill Kallman, P.E.. He is a retied bridge engineer from the NYDOT and he maintains a local consulting office in Hancock.

December 8, 2011 4:00 p.m. #642 Dow. Public welcome.

Presentation outline

1. Pictures of Bridge Pre & Post-Collapse
2. History of Preliminary Decisions, Materials and Design Specifications
3. Film of Collapse From Security Camera
4. FHWA Finite Element Analysis of Truss and Gussets, one of three
5. Gusset U10 Analysis by Wiss Janey Elsner
6. Order of Collapse
7. Construction on Bridge
8. MnDOT Inspections (more…)

Our Civil Engineering Seminar of this week will be presented by three
graduate students: Michael Hochscheidt, Karl Krueger, and Tony Oxley.
Public welcome.

Name

Karl Krueger

Advisor

Dr. Stanley J. Vitton

Abstract

The Michigan cone test is a compaction control test used to determine the maximum density of granular materials. This test has been used in Michigan as a field compaction test for over 50 years. However, the Proctor test is more often used as a method of compaction control in other states. Recently, the question has risen concerning the reliability of the cone test compared to methods used in other states. (more…)

Our Civil Engineering Seminar of this week will be presented by three
graduate students: Michael Hochscheidt, Karl Krueger, and Tony Oxley.
Public welcome.

Name

Tony Oxley

Adviser

Stan Vitton

Abstract

Several different methods for determining pile capacity are in use today. Three of these methods were evaluated to determine the accuracy of the predictions with regards to the actual capacity determined from testing. After analyzing the data the most accurate method for all soil types appeared to be the Army Corps method. (more…)

Our Civil Engineering Seminar of this week will be presented by three
graduate students: Michael Hochscheidt, Karl Krueger, and Tony Oxley.
Public welcome.

Name

Michael Hochscheidt

Advisor

Dr. Stanley J. Vitton

Abstract

Slope stability analysis is a major area of research in geotechnical engineering. That being said, very little is written in the geotechnical engineering literature on the design of box-cuts. The goal of this thesis will be to investigate the proper design of a box-cuts, and to design a box-cut for access to an underground copper mine. Issues that need to be considered in the box-cut design include, long term dewatering design, slope stability analysis, and erosion control. (more…)