Research

FUNDED RESEARCH

 

Recently funded

 

1.   “Coordination of Specialized Transportation Services for Transportation-Disadvantaged Populations: Issues and Solutions.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. L. David Shen. (Lehman Center and CEE Department)

Dr. Albert Gan (Co-PI) (Lehman Center and CEE Department)

Dr. Fang Zhao(Co-PI) (Lehman Center and CEE Department)

Dr. Jill Strube (Co-PI) (FIU Metropolitan Center)

Dr. Min-Tang Li (Co-PI) (Lehman Center and CEE Department)

Dr. Tzai-Shian Jung (Co-PI) (Lehman Center and CEE Department)

Dr. Irtishad Ahmad (Co-PI) (Lehman Center and CM Department)

Total Amount: $388,350

Jointly awarded to Florida International University and University of Miami by Federal Transit Administration, US Department of Transportation.

Time Period – 18 months (8/04 – 2/06)

 

2.  “A Need Assessment and Catalog of Best Practices for Emergency Management at Remote K12 Schools in Florida”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co- Principal Investigator – Mr. Ricardo Alvarez

Amount: $100,000

Awarded by The Florida Department of Education

Time Period – 12 months (start date – pending)

 

Ongoing Funded Research

 

1. “Utilization of Maturity Meters for Concrete Quality Assurance.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Amount: $104,742

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Time period – 24 months (5/03 – 4/05)

 

Use of maturity meters involve establishment of strength-maturity curves for specific concrete mix designs.  Although some states have begun using this method in lieu of traditional cylinder strength method, Florida DOT has not developed a detailed protocol for use of the maturity meter method.  This study will develop an elaborate protocol for including in the FDOT specifications with an objective to improve concrete quality assurance procedures.

 

Summary of Completed Research Projects

 

1. “Lumps and Balls in High-slump Concrete: Reasons and Remedy.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Amount $94,957.00.

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Time period – 15 months (10/00 -1/02)

 

Lumps and balls are frequently found in high-slump concrete used in drilled shaft concrete.  The specification calls for rejection of concrete when lumps and balls are present.  This causes loss of time and money to all the parties involved.  In this study we will investigate the reasons by studying the batching techniques and related parameters and suggest remedies.

 

2. “Temperature variation in Drilled Shaft Concrete.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Amount $161,250.00

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Time period – 24 months (10/00 -10/02)

 

The actual profile of temperature variation in drilled shaft concrete needs to be established to reflect the real behavior of high-slump concrete in the specifications.  Current specifications may be too simplistic and based on the actual temperature variation it will be possible to modify the specifications which will simplify the concreting operation during drilled shaft construction.

 

3. Generalized Method for Analysis of Pavement Management Database

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Amount $35,000.00

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

Time period – 24 months (11/99 – 6/01)

 

SAS/AF versions 7 and up do not support build-time development of FRAME entries in the mainframe operating environments.  Consequently, applications developed in other desktop environments must be ported to a mainframe.  The mainframe SAS/AF application program was designed to query a subset of records for analysis.

 

4. “An Investigation into Application and Bonding Strengths of Thermoplastic Pavement Markings on Concrete and Asphaltic Roadway Surfaces.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Amount $50,000.00

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT)

 

Time period – 24 months (1/99 -12/00)

 

Thermoplastic markings do not stick well on concrete surfaces.  This is an investigation to identify causes for this problem and to suggest best procedures to apply thermoplastic markings on concrete pavement surfaces.  The study involves application of thermoplastic markings on both concrete and asphaltic surfaces under different surface treatment procedures.

5. “Evaluation and Analysis of Current Compaction Methods for FDOT Pipe Trench Backfills in Areas of High Water Tables.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad.

Amount $104,500.00.

Awarded by the Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT).

Time period – Fifteen months  (9/96-11/98).

 

Evaluation and Analysis of Current Compaction Methods for FDOT Pipe Trench Backfills in Areas of High Water Tables.  The FDOT is continually faced with the problem of placing utility pipes in high water table areas.  The problem that arises from this occurrence is how best to achieve and verify suitable densities of the backfill that is placed at or below the water table.  Effectiveness of current compaction methods in the areas of high water tables is being evaluated and analyzed.  Possible alternate procedures associated with achieving suitable levels of compaction in high water table areas are being investigated.

 

6. “A Study of Florida’s Licensing System for Construction Contractors – Phase II.”

Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad.

Amount $22,573.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee.

Time period – Fifteen months  (9/95-11/96).

 

This was a follow-up to the previously completed research project on the same topic.  We investigated the effect of recommendations made in the earlier study.

 

7. “Effects of HVAC Sanitation Procedures on Indoor Air Quality of Residential Buildings – Phase II.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Berrin Tansel

Co-Principal Investigator – Prof. Jose D. Mitrani

Amount $29,857.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee (BCIAC) through the Department of Education of the State of Florida and the North American Insulation Manufacturers’ Association (NAIMA).

Time period – Twenty months (2/94-9/95).

 

This is a follow-up study of the first project.  Based on the preliminary results obtained from the first project, this was funded.  The objective of this study is to investigate the long-term effectiveness of the two of the three cleaning procedures on the indoor air quality. Concentrations of airborne particulate matter and viable bioaerosols will be monitored every three months for a year.  The results will establish the basis for comparing the effectiveness of the two procedures.

 

8. “An Investigation of the Attorney’s Role in Worker’s Compensation.”

Principal Investigator – Prof. Wilson Barnes

Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Larry Lieby, Esqr.

Amount $19,901.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee (BCIAC) through the Department of Education of the State of Florida.

Time period – Sixteen months (4/94-7/95).

 

The objective of this study is to define the attorney’s role in worker’s compensation for the construction industry.  The study results will be used to suggest and recommend the appropriate role of the attorney in worker’s compensation.

 

9. “Assessment of the Effectiveness of HVAC Sanitation Processes in Improving Indoor Air Quality.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Berrin Tansel

Co-Principal Investigator – Prof. Jose D. Mitrani

Amount $40,393.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee (BCIAC) through the Department of Education of the State of Florida and the North American Insulation Manufacturers’ Association (NAIMA).

Time period – Twenty two months (10/92-8/94).

 

The purpose of this research project is to investigate the effectiveness of three commonly used HVAC duct cleaning procedures on the indoor air quality of residential buildings.  Each procedure was applied on two residences and readings (to measure airborne particulate matter and bioaerosols)  were taken before, during and after cleaning.  Comparative results were obtained and analyzed to determine relative effectiveness of the cleaning procedures under investigation.

 

10. “Development of MBE/DBE/WBE Database and Analytical Models to Determine Their Capacity for the Florida Construction Industry.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Prof. John Dye

Amount $19,048.00.

 

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee (BCIAC) through the Department of Education of the State of Florida.

Time period – Fifteen months (2/92-4/94).

 

This research project was undertaken to study the rules, regulations, policies, and the practice pertaining to the minority businesses in the construction industry of  the state of Florida.  A review of existing state and local legislation was conducted.  The minority certification rules were analyzed to determine if there were fundamental differences that would preclude the acceptance of Department of Management Services certification and a centralized data bank.  A set of consistent definitions and criteria have been developed for use in the formation of a centralized and comprehensive data base of minority firms.  Finally, a model, that would aid contractors or others for comparing business capacity of various firms, was developed.

 

11. “Alternative Bid-Evaluation and Contract-Award Systems.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Dr. Ayman Morad

Amount $15,970.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee.

Time period – Sixteen months (3/92-7/93).

 

This research study sought answers to the questions raised regarding the purpose and effects of the traditional low bidding method and to examine and explore alternative systems for evaluating bids and awarding construction contracts.  A number of alternatives were presented and discussed, Federal Government regulations and Florida statutes were reviewed to examine the objectives and intent of the law.

 

12. “A Comprehensive Study of the Licensing System for the Construction Contractors in Florida.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Prof. Jose D. Mitrani

Amount $23,575.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee.

Time period – Sixteen months (10/91-3/93).

 

This study focused primarily on the economic factors related to the daily work of the Florida Construction Industry Licensing Board and their relationship to the Department of Professional Regulation to determine if there were functions appeared to be in need of improvement in service or organization.  These factors were compared with similar factors in the state of California.

 

13. “Alternative to 10% Retainage.”

Principal Investigator – Dr. Irtishad Ahmad

Co-Principal Investigator – Prof. Wilson Barnes

Amount $9,745.00.

Awarded by the Building Construction Industry Advisory Committee.

Time period – Sixteen months (8/91-12/92).

This project was undertaken to study the concept of Retainage with a view to comprehend its intended purpose from the perspectives of the industry professionals.  Effects of Retainage that seem to be greatly contributing to the cash flow problems of the construction contractors were identified and attempts were made to elicit viable alternatives to the flat 10 percent Retainage practice from the suggestions of the different groups and individuals that participated in the study.