Construction Engineering & Engineering Technology Research

Research Grants

Dr. Burkett

“Study of Elastomeric Bearings for Super-elevated U-Beam Bridges,” $225,272.00, Texas Department of Transportation, 2007-2008. (Co-Principal Investigator)

“Rapid Bridge Replacement, Refugio County,” $35,000.00, Texas Department of Transportation, 2004-2005. (Research Supervisor / Principal Investigator)

" Interagency Cooperation Contract, “Construction Tolerances for T-base Foundations,” $13,000.00, Texas Department of Transportation, 2004-2005. (Research Supervisor / Principal Investigator)

“Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques,” $181,650.00, Texas Department of Transportation, 2002-2003. (Research Supervisor / Co-Principal Investigator)

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Dr. Liang

Hyperspectral Imagery: A New Frontier for Windstorm Damage Assessment

Principal Investigator: Daan Liang (ET), Kishor Mehta (CE), Brian Nutter (ECE)

The objective of this research is to investigate the capability and application of hyperspectral imaging technology to provide accurate and quick identification and quantification of building damage. Compared to optical and multispectral sensors, hyperspectral sensors can acquire simultaneous earth images in more than 200 narrow and often contiguous spectral bands through the ultraviolet, visible and infrared portions of the electromagnetic spectrum. To achieve this objective, the suitability of hyperspectral images to differentiate object classes and to assess the damage severity based on observed spectral changes will be determined. Furthermore, hyperspectral bands sensing capability will be evaluated in the presence of various forms and degrees of cloud cover. The outcomes are expected to 1) expand the body of knowledge in using remotely sensed data for damage detection and quantification; 2) improve our understanding of the progression of wind hazards and their multi-faceted effects on built environment; 3) provide abundant high quality data much needed to calibrate and validate risk models for insurers and public agencies.

Funding agency: National Science Foundation

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Recent Publications and Presentations by Engineering Tech Faculty

Articles - National Peer Reviewed Journals:

1. Bai, Y., Kim, S. H., and Burkett, W. R., “Enhancing the Capability of Rapid Bridge Replacement after Extreme Events,” Engineering, Construction, and Architectural Management, Vol. 14, No. 4, 2007, pp 375 – 386.

2.  Bai, Y., and Burkett, W. R., “Rapid Bridge Replacement: Processes, Techniques, and Needs for Improvements,” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 132, No. 11, November, 2006, pp 1139-1147.

3.  Bai, Y., Burkett, W. R., and Nash, P. T., “Rapid Bridge Replacement under Emergency Situation: Case Study,” ASCE Journal of Bridge Engineering, Vol. 11, No. 3, May-June, 2006, pp 266-273.

4.  Bai, Y., Burkett, W. R., and Nash, P. T., “Lessons Learned from an Emergency Bridge Replacement Project,” ASCE Journal of Construction Engineering and Management, Vol. 132, No. 4, April, 2006, pp 338-344.

5.  Metin, M. M. and Burkett, W. R., “Formulation of New Development Length Equation for 0.6-Inch Prestressing Strand,” PCI Journal, Vol. 50, No.5, September-October, 2005, pp 96-105.

6.  Kose, M. M. and Burkett, W. R., “Evaluation of Code Requirements for 0.6-Inch Prestressing Strand,” ACI Structural Journal, Vol. 102, No. 3, May-June, 2005, pp 422-428.

7.  Gransberg, D. D., Karaca, I., and Burkett, W. R., “Quantifying Seal Coat Surface Condition Using Digital Image Processing Based on Information Theory,” International Journal of Pavement Engineering, Vol. 3 (4), March, 2003, pp 197-205.

Articles - National Conference Compendium of Papers:

1.  Bai, Y. and Burkett, W. R., “Rapid Bridge Replacement After an Extreme Event,” Committee Meeting AFH40 – Construction of Bridges and Structures and Committee AFF30 – Concrete Bridges, 84th Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting: Compendium of Papers, Washington, D.C., January, 2005.

2.  Bai, Y., Burkett, W. R., and Nash, P. T., “Lessons Learned from the I-40 Webber Falls Bridge Tragedy,” Session 568 – Transportation Security and Infrastructure Protection: Strategies and Policy, 83rd Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting: Compendium of Papers, Washington, D. C., January, 2004.

Articles - State Meeting Proceedings:

1.  Turkyilmaz, S., Burkett, W. R., and Vann, W. P., “Digital Analysis of Prestressed Concrete Beam Cracks,” Proceedings of Texas Section of American Society of Civil Engineers Spring Meeting, Arlington, Texas, March, 2002, pp 313-322.

 

Presentations - National Meetings (unprinted):

1.  Burkett, W. R., “Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques Pooled-Fund Project Final Report,” Workshop on Bridge and Tunnel Security Update, 2005 Transportation Research Board Annual
Meeting, Washington D.C., January 9, 2005.  (Invited presentation)

2.  Burkett, W. R., “Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques,” T-1 Technical Committee for Bridge and Tunnel Security, American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials-Subcommittee on Bridges and Structures Annual Meeting, Albuquerque, New Mexico, June 2, 2003.  (Invited presentation)

3.  Burkett, W. R. and Nash, P. T., “Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques,” National Meeting on Transportation Security Pooled Fund Projects, Austin, Texas, September, 2002.

Presentations - Regional/State/Local Meetings (unprinted):

1.  Burkett, W. R., “Rapid Bridge Replacement Techniques,” QUOIN/ASC Region V Educators Conference, Dallas, Texas, September 26, 2003.

2.  Williamson, E. B. and Burkett, W. R., “Status of TxDOT-Led Pooled-Fund Security Research Projects on Bridge Design and Rapid Replacement,” Session 7, 2002 Transportation Short Course, College Station, Texas, October, 2002. (Invited presentation)

3.  Burkett, W. R. and Vann, W. P., “Alternate Vertical Shear Reinforcement in Prestressed Concrete Beams,” Texas Department of Transportation, Research Management Committee 5 Meeting, Austin, Texas, June, 2002.

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Presentations and Publications - Journals and Conferences Various

M. Mukaddes Darwish & Mary Frances Agnello Sustainability/GREEN: Challenges and Changes for Educators and the Engineering Curriculum. American Society for Engineering Education - Austin, TX - for the 116th Annual Conference & Exposition

Enabling Construction Engineering Students in Sustainable Thinking: Curricular changes to foster sustainability; Seventh LACCEI Latin American and Caribbean Conference for Engineering and Technology (LACCEI'2009)

“Energy and Technology for the Americas: Education, Innovation, Technology and Practice”June 2-5, 2009, San Cristóbal, Venezuela.

M. Mukaddes Darwish, Maryfrances Agnello (Clean, Green and Sustainable Building Elements: Masonry and Brick) ‘Fifth International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-V)“Collaboration and Integration in Engineering, Management and Technology “May 20-22, 2009, Istanbul, Turkey
M. Mukaddes Darwish, Maryfrances Agnello, Hendrika Buelinckx, Why Sustainable Building Design and Construction? : Why Now? Fifth International Conference on Construction in the 21st Century (CITC-V)“Collaboration and Integration in Engineering, Management and Technology “May 20-22, 2009, Istanbul, Turkey

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Helm, M., Presley, A., van Gilder, E. "A Low Power Wireless Remote Sensor System using the TI MSP-430: An Empirical Evaluation of Range and Performance with a Prototype System"  presented at the TI Developer's Conference, Dallas, TX, Feb 26, 2008

Helm, M., Presley, A., van Gilder, E. "An Ad Hoc Wireless Remote Sensor Networking System using the TI MSP-430: Experimental Characterization of Signal Levels in a Prototype Wireless Sensor System"  presented at the IEEE International Symposium on Consumer Electronics, Dallas, TX, June 2007