The Experts below are selected from a list of 309 Experts worldwide ranked by ideXlab platform
James E. Huebler - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Detection of Unauthorized Construction Equipment in Pipeline Right-of-Ways
2004Co-Authors: Maurice Givens, James E. HueblerAbstract:The leading cause of incidents on transmission pipelines is damage by third-party Construction Equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous Construction Equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline is hit. Currently there is no method for continuously monitoring a pipeline right-of-way. Instead, companies periodically walk or fly over the pipeline to find unauthorized Construction activities. Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber buried above the pipeline as a distributed sensor. A custom optical time domain reflectometer (OTDR) is used to interrogate the fiber. Key issues in the development of this technology are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. Advantages of the reflectometry technique are the ability to accurately pinpoint the location of the Construction activity and the ability to separately monitor simultaneously occurring events. The basic concept of using OTDR with an optical fiber buried above the pipeline to detect encroachment of Construction Equipment into the right of way works. Sufficiently rapid time response is possible; permitting discrimination between encroachment types. Additional work is required to improve the system into a practical device
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DETECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED Construction Equipment IN PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAYS
2004Co-Authors: James E. HueblerAbstract:Natural gas transmission companies mark the right-of-way areas where pipelines are buried with warning signs to prevent accidental third-party damage. Nevertheless, pipelines are sometimes damaged by third-party Construction Equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous Construction Equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline was damaged. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber as a distributed sensor and interrogating the fiber with a custom optical time domain reflectometer. Key issues are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. The work continues on improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the technique. We are now able to detect weights sitting on the Hergalite fiber of as low as 0.2 pound. A brighter diode laser increased our sensitivity by a factor of ten. Detection of load fluctuations with frequencies greater than 5 Hertz is also possible. The next step is beginning measurements at the field site
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DETECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED Construction Equipment IN PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAYS
2004Co-Authors: James E. HueblerAbstract:Natural gas transmission companies mark the right-of-way areas where pipelines are buried with warning signs to prevent accidental third-party damage. Nevertheless, pipelines are sometimes damaged by third-party Construction Equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous Construction Equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline was damaged. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber as a distributed sensor and interrogating the fiber with a custom optical time domain reflectometer. Key issues are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. The work continues on improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the technique. We are now able to detect weights sitting on the Hergalite fiber of as low as 0.2 pound. Detection of load fluctuations with frequencies greater than 1 Hertz is also possible. We have also purchased a brighter diode laser for use with the multimode fibers that should improve our sensitivity by a factor of ten
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DETECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED Construction Equipment IN PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAYS
2003Co-Authors: James E. HueblerAbstract:Natural gas transmission companies mark the right-of-way areas where pipelines are buried with warning signs to prevent accidental third-party damage. Nevertheless, pipelines are sometimes damaged by third-party Construction Equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous Construction Equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline was damaged. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber as a distributed sensor and interrogating the fiber with a custom optical time domain reflectometer. Key issues are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. The work continues on improving the signal-to-noise ratio of the custom OTDR. An avalanche photo-detector, was purchased. It was able to detect weights on the Hergalite fiber as low as one pound. We are also investigating a brighter laser for use with the multimode fibers
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DETECTION OF UNAUTHORIZED Construction Equipment IN PIPELINE RIGHT-OF-WAYS
2003Co-Authors: James E. HueblerAbstract:Natural gas transmission companies mark the right-of-way areas where pipelines are buried with warning signs to prevent accidental third-party damage. Nevertheless, pipelines are sometimes damaged by third-party Construction Equipment. A single incident can be devastating, causing death and millions of dollars of property loss. This damage would be prevented if potentially hazardous Construction Equipment could be detected, identified, and an alert given before the pipeline was damaged. The Gas Technology Institute (GTI) is developing a system to solve this problem by using an optical fiber as a distributed sensor and interrogating the fiber with a custom optical time domain reflectometer. Key issues are the ability to detect encroachment and the ability to discriminate among potentially hazardous and benign encroachments. The work performed in the 1st quarter of 2003 included fine-tuning and debugging of the custom Optical Time Domain Reflectometer being constructed for data collection and analysis. The detector was redesigned reducing the noise floor by over a factor of ten. While GTI's OTDR was being improved, a new, commercial OTDR was used to verify that the technique is capable of measuring one pound continuous force applied to the Hergalite. Optical fibers were installed at the ANR Pipeline test site along an operating pipeline
Kent C. Johnson - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evaluations of in-use emission factors from off-road Construction Equipment
Atmospheric Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Tanfeng Cao, Thomas D. Durbin, Robert L. Russell, David R. Cocker, George Scora, Hector Maldonado, Kent C. JohnsonAbstract:Abstract Gaseous and particle emissions from Construction engines contribute an important fraction of the total air pollutants released into the atmosphere and are gaining increasing regulatory attention. Robust quantification of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and particulate matter (PM) emissions are necessary to inventory the contribution of Construction Equipment to atmospheric loadings. Theses emission inventories require emissions factors from Construction Equipment as a function of Equipment type and modes of operation. While the development of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) has led to increased studies of Construction Equipment emissions, emissions data are still much more limited than for on-road vehicles. The goal of this research program was to obtain accurate in-use emissions data from a test fleet of newer Construction Equipment (model year 2002 or later) using a Code of Federal Requirements (CFR) compliant PEMS system. In-use emission measurements were made from twenty-seven pieces of Construction Equipment, which included four backhoes, six wheel loaders, four excavators, two scrapers (one with two engines), six bulldozers, and four graders. The engines ranged in model year from 2003 to 2012, in rated horsepower (hp) from 92 to 540 hp, and in hours of operation from 24 to 17,149 h. This is the largest study of off-road Equipment emissions using 40 CFR part 1065 compliant PEMS Equipment for all regulated gaseous and particulate emissions.
Julio C Martinez - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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dynamic 3d visualization of articulated Construction Equipment
Journal of Computing in Civil Engineering, 2005Co-Authors: Vineet R Kamat, Julio C MartinezAbstract:Dynamic three-dimensional (3D) animation can be of significant value in improving the verification validation, and communication of discrete-event simulation (DES) models of Construction operations, which in turn can make the models more credible and thus useful in operations planning and decision making. This paper presents research that led to the design and implementation of practical 3D animation methods to visualize multiply-articulated Construction Equipment in 3D animations of simulated Construction operations. Using principles of forward and inverse kinematics, the writers designed and implemented generic virtual pieces of articulated Construction Equipment that accept task-level instructions from external software processes. DES models can configure and instantiate specific pieces of such Equipment and instruct them to perform Construction tasks using simple parametric text statements that embody a Construction work-like terminology. Once instructed to perform specific tasks (e.g., load soil), th...
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Winter Simulation Conference - Practical 3D animation of multiply articulated Construction Equipment
Proceedings of the 2004 Winter Simulation Conference 2004., 1Co-Authors: Vineet R Kamat, Julio C MartinezAbstract:This paper presents research that led to the design and implementation of practical 3D animation methods to visualize multiply-articulated Construction Equipment in 3D animations of discrete-event Construction process models. Using principles of forward and inverse kinematics, we designed and implemented generic pieces of multiply-articulated virtual Construction Equipment that accept task-level instructions from external software processes. Discrete event simulation models can configure and instantiate specific pieces of such Equipment and instruct them to perform common Construction tasks using simple, parametric statements of text. Once instructed to perform specific tasks (e.g. Load dirt), these "smart" pieces of Equipment (e.g. Backhoes) automatically decipher the sequence and amplitudes of the elemental motions their components (e.g. Boom) must undergo to accomplish those tasks. The animation methods are implemented in a software tool called KineMach that integrates as an add-on with the VITASCOPE visualization system.
Michael C. Vorster - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Statistical Considerations and Graphical Presentation of the Residual Value of Heavy Construction Equipment
Computing in Civil Engineering (2007), 2007Co-Authors: Gunnar Lucko, John Hildreth, Michael C. VorsterAbstract:Hourly Equipment cost rates are vital to the long-term profitability of a company. Hourly rates are based on the forecasted owning and operating costs. The residual value is the most elusive element of owning and operating costs. It differs from book value, which is typically calculated for taxation purposes using a depreciation model. The residual value of heavy Construction Equipment is defined as the monetary value that can be anticipated to be actually realized in an open market transaction. Forecasting it statistically allows for an integrated cost model for heavy Construction Equipment. A comprehensive study of auction records for various Equipment types, makes, and sizes resulted in a statistical model of residual value. Quality of the model was ensured through hypothesis testing and coefficient validation. Residual value grids are intuitive graphical tools used to present the underlying datasets and quickly and accurately forecast residual value with reliability.
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Predicting the Residual Value of Heavy Construction Equipment
Towards a Vision for Information Technology in Civil Engineering, 2003Co-Authors: Gunnar Lucko, Michael C. VorsterAbstract:Heavy Construction Equipment is routinely used on Construction projects that entail earthmoving operations. Owning and operating these machines may comprise a significant portion of the project costs. An important element of the owning costs is the residual value. However, the nature of the residual value of Construction Equipment is largely unknown. Ongoing research at Virginia Tech examines the residual value of different types of Construction Equipment to provide a better approach than the rules of thumb currently used by Equipment managers. This paper argues that the residual value can be predicted accurately based on publicly accessible data from Equipment auctions and publications by manufacturers and their distributors. Related research in agriculture and forestry is reviewed. Data collection and preparation and results from the multi-linear regression analysis are described. Statistical measures of the goodness-of-fit for different possible functional forms of the regression model are given and a sample calculation is presented.
Tanfeng Cao - One of the best experts on this subject based on the ideXlab platform.
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Evaluations of in-use emission factors from off-road Construction Equipment
Atmospheric Environment, 2016Co-Authors: Tanfeng Cao, Thomas D. Durbin, Robert L. Russell, David R. Cocker, George Scora, Hector Maldonado, Kent C. JohnsonAbstract:Abstract Gaseous and particle emissions from Construction engines contribute an important fraction of the total air pollutants released into the atmosphere and are gaining increasing regulatory attention. Robust quantification of nitrogen oxides (NO x ) and particulate matter (PM) emissions are necessary to inventory the contribution of Construction Equipment to atmospheric loadings. Theses emission inventories require emissions factors from Construction Equipment as a function of Equipment type and modes of operation. While the development of portable emissions measurement systems (PEMS) has led to increased studies of Construction Equipment emissions, emissions data are still much more limited than for on-road vehicles. The goal of this research program was to obtain accurate in-use emissions data from a test fleet of newer Construction Equipment (model year 2002 or later) using a Code of Federal Requirements (CFR) compliant PEMS system. In-use emission measurements were made from twenty-seven pieces of Construction Equipment, which included four backhoes, six wheel loaders, four excavators, two scrapers (one with two engines), six bulldozers, and four graders. The engines ranged in model year from 2003 to 2012, in rated horsepower (hp) from 92 to 540 hp, and in hours of operation from 24 to 17,149 h. This is the largest study of off-road Equipment emissions using 40 CFR part 1065 compliant PEMS Equipment for all regulated gaseous and particulate emissions.