Effect of pavement surface properties on life cycle cost analysis

Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) is one of the most well established methods used in determining the best alternative pavement project. The two main pillars of LCCA are user costs and agency costs. User costs are incurred during normal transportation operation and when there is a work zone present. Costs that occur during normal operating conditions are due to pavement surface profile, while costs that occur during work zone activities are due to agency decisions on work zone conditions. In traditional LCCA, it is assumed that work zones costs are the main part of user costs. The work zone costs include vehicle delay costs, vehicle operating costs, crash costs, and emission costs. On the other hand, costs associated with normal operating conditions, such as vehicle operating costs, are independent of project alternatives and thus they are negligible. However, recent studies have suggested that vehicle operating costs are more sensitive to roughness and texture profile than initially thought. Therefore, even slight changes in pavement surface profile may affect user costs. This study introduces a methodology that considers normal operating conditions in LCCA; including pavement surface properties. The approach is presented in a Microsoft Excel Visual Basic (VBA) tool. Finally, a case study is presented to illustrate the importance of user costs for normal operating conditions and their effect on LCCA. Analysis showed that for medium to low traffic roadways, the impact of normal operating costs is significant when compared to work zone costs. Furthermore, decreasing the number of treatment activities may increase the user costs because the pavement is less frequently improved. In addition, as would be expected, it was found that with increasing discount rates, the significance of normal operating costs further increase

Analisis Resource Based View Dalam Mencapai Keunggulan Kompetitif (Studi Kasus Pada Pijak Bumi Bandung)

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah menganalisis sumber daya yang berpotensi menghasilkan keunggulan kompetitif yang berkelanjutan melalui pendekatan Resource Based View dan Analisis Rantai Nilai untuk mengetahui sumber daya apa saja yang dimiliki Pijak Bumi untuk mendapatkan kompetensi inti sebagai sumber Competitive Advantage. Alat analisis dalam penelitian ini menggunakan Kerangka VRIO (Valuable, Rarity, Imitability, Organization) dalam upaya mencapai Sustainable Competitive Advantage. Metode yang digunakan dalam penelitian ini adalah kualitatif deskriptif dengan pendekatan studi kasus. Berdasarkan hasil penelitian diperoleh bahwa sumber daya berwujud (tangible) Pijak Bumi memiliki dua sumber daya yang bersifat competitive disadvantage, delapan sumber daya bersifat competitive parity, sepuluh sumber daya memiliki sifat temporary competitive advantage. Sumber daya tak berwujud (intangible) Pijak Bumi memiliki lima sumber daya bersifat competitive parity, sepuluh sumber daya memiliki sifat temporary competitive advantage, dan tiga sumber daya bersifat sustained competitive advantage. Sedangkan, hasil dari analisis kapabilitas diketahui sebanyak enam kapabilitas bersifat competitive parity, lima belas kapabilitas yang dimiliki bersifat temporary competitive advantage, dan tujuh kapabilitas sebagai sumber kompetensi inti untuk meraih sustained competitive advantage

Fluoride and aluminum release from restorative materials using ion chromatography

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to determine the amounts of fluoride and aluminum released from different restorative materials stored in artificial saliva and double-distilled water. Material and METHODS: Cylindrical specimens (10 x 1 mm) were prepared from 4 different restorative materials (Kavitan Plus, Vitremer, Dyract Extra, and Surefil). For each material, 20 specimens were prepared, 10 of which were stored in 5 mL artificial saliva and 10 of which were stored in 5 mL of double-distilled water. Concentrations of fluoride and aluminum in the solutions were measured using ion chromatography. Measurements were taken daily for one week and then weekly for two additional weeks. Data were analyzed using two-way ANOVA and Duncan's multiple range tests (

Impact of New Generation Wide-Base Tires on Fuel Consumption

This study combined multiple approaches to evaluate the structural and economic impact of using new-generation wide-base tires (NG-WBT) in New Brunswick, Canada. A three-dimensional finite-element model of a typical pavement structure used in New Brunswick was used to predict critical pavement responses. The model includes measured tire-pavement contact forces among other variables overlooked in conventional flexible pavement analysis approaches. Using the model output, regression analysis was performed to predict the responses under various loadings to avoid performing the time-consuming finite-element analysis. Eight-year weight-in-motion data and critical pavement responses were used in transfer functions to predict pavement damage and the corresponding progression of an international roughness index (IRI) during a 60-year analysis period. Most pavement responses from NG-WBT compared with dual-tire assembly (DTA) were 20% and 30% higher in this case. The smallest difference was the vertical strain on top of the subgrade. The life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) considered a reduction in fuel consumption because of the use of NG-WBTs. Two scenarios were analyzed: (1) Case A, in which maintenance was performed periodically and independent of IRI values, and (2) Case B, in which the IRI threshold triggered maintenance. A reduction in fuel costs was significant in both cases. Maintaining a low pavement IRI would increase vehicle and truck fuel cost savings. The results indicate that the agency cost to maintain pavement used by NG-WBT is expected to be between CAD 7,703 to CAD 8,840 (2019 dollars) for 10% and 20% of all tandem axles using NG-WBT per one kilometer for a 60-year analysis period. The annual worth of such savings would be CAD 298 and CAD 342 (2019 dollars), respectively. In contrast, fuel savings per truck-km is expected to be CAD 30,471 to CAD 60,119 (2019 dollars) for 10% and 20% of all tandem axles using NG-WBT per one kilometer for the same analysis period, respectively. The annual worth of such savings would be CAD 1,100 and CAD 2,172 (2019 dollars) per one kilometer, respectively. Additionally, the trucks would save, annually, CAD 0.42 and CAD 0.107 per ton transported per kilometer for 10% and 20% NG-WBT market penetrations, respectively

LITERASI KEUANGAN DAN FINTECH : MEMBENTUK PERILAKU KEUANGAN MAHASISWA DI KABUPATEN MAJALENGKA

Tujuan dari penelitian ini adalah untuk mengetahui hubungan antara literasi keuangan dan financial technology berdampak pada perilaku keuangan mahasiswa aktif di Kabupaten Majalengka. Berdasarkan perhitungan rumus slovin dari 10.575 siswa didapatkan sampel berujumlah 385 orang. Hasil penelitian menunjukkan bahwa pengetahuan tentang financial technology dan literasi keuangan secara positif memengaruhi perilaku keuangan mahasiswa, baik secara individual maupun secara bersama - sama. Hasil ini memberikan bukti empiris yang mendukung bahwa literasi keuangan dan financial technology keuangan sangat penting untuk meningkatkan perilaku keuangan mahasiswa

Truck Platooning on Flexible Pavements in Illinois

Truck platoons have many benefits over traditional truck mobility. Truck platoons have the potential to improve safety and reduce fuel consumption between 5% and 15%, based on platoon configuration. In Illinois, trucks carry more than 50% of freight tonnage and constitute 25% of the traffic on interstates. Therefore, expected fuel savings would be significant for trucks. Deployment of truck platoons within interstate highways may have a direct effect on flexible pavement performance, as the time between consecutive axle loads (i.e., resting time) is expected to decrease significantly. Moreover, platoons could potentially accelerate pavement damage accumulation due to trucks’ channelized position, decreasing pavement service life and increasing maintenance and rehabilitation costs. The main objective of this project was to quantify the effects of truck platoons on pavements and to provide guidelines to control corresponding potential pavement damage. Finite-element models were utilized to quantify the impact of rest period on pavement damage. Recovered and accumulated strains were predicted by fitting exponential functions to the calculated strain profiles. The results suggested that strain accumulation was negligible at a truck spacing greater that 10 ft. A new methodology to control pavement damage due to truck platoons was introduced. The method optimizes trucks’ lateral positions on the pavements, and an increase in pavement service life could be achieved if all platoons follow this optimization method. Life cycle assessment and life cycle cost analysis were conducted for fully autonomous, human-driven, and mixed-traffic regimes. For example, for an analysis period of 45 years, channelized truck platoons could save life cycle costs and environmental impacts by 28% and 21% compared with human-driven trucks, respectively. Furthermore, optimum truck platoon configuration could reduce life cycle costs and environmental impacts by 48% and 36%, respectively, compared with human-driven trucks. In contrast, channelized traffic could increase pavement roughness, increasing fuel consumption by 15%, even though platooning vehicles still benefit from reduction in air drag forces. Given that truck platoons are expected to be connected only in the first phase, no actions are required by the agency. However, in the second phase when truck platoons are also expected to be autonomous, a protocol for driving trends should be established per the recommendation of this study.IDOT-ICT-203Ope

Evaluation of I-FIT Results and Machine Variability using MnRoad Test Track Mixtures

The Illinois Flexibility Index Test (I-FIT) was developed to distinguish between different mixtures in terms of potential cracking. Several machines were manufactured and are currently available to perform the I-FIT. This report presents the results and findings from an experimental program developed to compare various I-FIT configurations. Three different I-FIT devices were compared in collaboration with Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT). The main focus of the study was the comparison of the two custom designs: an InstroTek screwdriven device with a spring rollers support system and a TestQuip servo hydraulic system with both spring and bearing rollers support systems. In addition, the Interlaken 100 kN servo-hydraulic universal testing frame equipped with an I-FIT fixture with spring roller support system was also evaluated. In total, eight asphalt concrete (AC) mixtures with varying design characteristics were analyzed by evaluating the difference in the mean values of fracture energy, slope, and overall patterns of load-displacement curves in addition to the statistical analysis. According to the results obtained, the various machines did not significantly affect the flexibility index (FI) calculated for each mixture in this study. In all cases, the results were within approximately one unit of FI for each machine and mixture. Statistical analysis conducted using the ANOVA analysis and t-test also supported the conclusion that the device configurations were found to have no significant effect on the FI results for the AC mixtures evaluated in this study, regardless of the loading system (hydraulic or screw-driven) and the configuration of the support system (spring or bearing rollers).IDOT-R27-SP31Ope

Effect of Carbamide Peroxide Bleaching Gel on Composite Resin Flexural Strength and Microhardness

This study investigated the effect of 16% carbamide peroxide (Whiteness Perfect/FGM) on the Vickers microhardness and flexural strength of the restorative composites Filtek Z100 (hybrid), Filtek Z350 (nanofill), Brilliant (micro-hybrid) and Opallis (micro-hybrid). Discshaped (4×2 mm; n=5) and bar-shaped (12×2×1 mm; n=10) specimens of each restorative material were randomly divided into 2 groups: (G1) 16 weeks stored in distilled water; (G2) 16 weeks stored in distilled water, with 16% carbamide peroxide application during 6 h per day for the last 4 weeks. The mechanical properties were evaluated using a Vickers microhardness tester and a mechanical testing machine. Data were analyzed by twoway ANOVA and Tukey's (HSD) post-hoc test (α=0.05). Filtek Z100 presented the highest microhardness value, followed by Filtek Z350 and finally by Brilliant and Opallis (p=0.00). Filtek Z100 and Brilliant exhibited the highest flexural strength value, followed by Filtek Z350 and Opallis (p=0.00). Bleaching treatment decreased significantly microhardness of Brilliant and Opallis (p=0.00). The flexural strength of all studied materials was not affected by the home bleaching (p=0.28).Department of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics Araraquara Dental School Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, SPDepartment of Dental Materials and Prosthodontics Araraquara Dental School Universidade Estadual Paulista (UNESP), Araraquara, S

Which impacts matter for pavement management decisions? Quantifying social sustainability based on a capability approach

This study addresses the need to evaluate the social sustainability of pavement management decisions, particularly during the use and maintenance stages. While Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) and Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) are well-established for assessing environmental and economic impacts, Social Life Cycle Assessment (S-LCA) remains understudied for pavements, especially within the context of pavement management. This research introduces a methodology using the Capability Approach to quantify social impacts, emphasizing their importance, relevance, and influenceability. The resulting framework provides a working list of key social impacts such as fatalities, bodily health, mobility, comfort, environmental emissions, financial impact, and equity. These impacts are particularly relevant during the use and maintenance stages of pavement life cycle, where management decisions directly affect road users and surrounding communities. A case study illustrates the application of this framework, analyzing pavement conditions and their social impacts on communities. This study offers a structured approach for integrating social sustainability into pavement management decisions