Hydraulics Laboratory Laboratory Assessment Summary Report
DATE: |
August 9 - 12, 2004 |
CHAIRMAN: |
E. V. Richardson, Ph.D., and P.E. Professor Emeritus, Colorado State University Sr. Associate, Ayres Associates |
EXPERT/PEER REVIEW PANEL MEMBERS:
Scott A. Sabol, P.E. Professor Vermont Technical College |
D. Max Sheppard, Ph.D. President Ocean Engineering Associates |
Richard Long Director, Research Center Florida Department of Transportation |
Stan Davis MD State Highway Administration Office of Bridge Development |
Facilitator:
Barbara T. Harder Principal B.T. Harder, Inc
Overview of Hydraulics Laboratory
J. Sterling Jones Hydraulics Lab Manager 202-493-3043 sterling.jones@fhwa.dot.gov
The Hydraulics Laboratory provides a means of testing the hydraulic performance of highway drainage structures and stream crossings. To ensure safe travel in any instance when water meets our nation’s highways, the laboratory works to solve hydraulic and stream stability problems and supports operational engineers with design guidance and tools.
The Hydraulics Laboratory consists of a physical modeling component and a numerical modeling component that work in tandem; results are extrapolated from one and verified and calibrated by the other:
The physical modeling facility features a tilting flume capable of simulating 15 degrees longitudinal and cross slopes. The flume has a sediment recess for local scour modeling and a sediment trap connected to a sediment reticulation pump for limited live-bed scour studies. It has pumps with variable-frequency drives capable of simulating in-flow hydrographs. The facility also includes a culvert test facility for evaluating entrance loss coefficients of various types of culvert inlets.
The numerical modeling capability includes two-dimensional (2-D) and three-dimensional (3-D) modeling and features a 3-D sediment transport model capable of reproducing scour results that can be extended to field conditions. The 3-D model is a very effective research tool for extrapolating laboratory results to limits difficult to achieve with a physical model study.
Key Strengths and Observations
Key Recommendations and Status of Current Activities
- Panel Recommendation: Climate control for the hydraulics
lab.
Action to be taken: 1) Obtain engineering services to evaluate
feasibility, design system and estimate cost. 2) Program funds and installs system.
Status as of 6/02/05: Approx.
5/5/05 met with Doreen McCarthy. Asked
for interview with the consultants who will be developing the long-range
capital improvements plan for TFHRC. May ‘06 Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) On 08/02/05 met with Stephen Sakach from Facility Engineering
Associates to discuss capital improvements for the Laboratory. 2) On 8/24/05 explained to Paula Ewin that
Hydraulics Laboratory has no climate control and could cause instrumentation problems – On-going, FY07/FY08, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: On July 06, Met with Brian Kerr and Masoud Nasabzadeh. Climate control is included in FY07
maintenance budget and was added to the CIP performed by FEA, Inc. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Maintenance of Tilting Flume.
Action to be taken: 1) Diagnosis by facility management. 2) Procure parts and make repairs.
Status as of 6/02/05: On-going,
April ‘05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: A capital improvement plan for the Laboratory will
be completed in FY06. Actions will be
taken after this is completed. On-going, FY07/FY08, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: On Sept 06, the pump and VFD of the tilting flume was inspected and
serviced. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Modify Tilting Flume Entrance for
better flow distribution.
Action to be taken: 1) Assign to new Hydraulics
Engineer. Does an in-house feasibility study? 2) If feasible, develop plan to include
sediment recirculation capability. 3) Issue contract for fabrication and
installation.
Status as of 6/02/05: New Engineers assigned - March ‘06,
Target Completion Date 06.
Status as of 3/28/06: Will be included in Capital Improvement Plan
Laboratory report. See item 2. On-going,
FY07/FY08, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: Several flume modification alternatives and
cost estimates are included in the CIP Laboratory report. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Holographic PIV capability.
Action to be taken: 1) Scope scientific equipment needs and
determine feasibility. 2) Purchase
equipment, test and develop system.
Status as of 6/02/05: Will
depend on availability and priorities for scientific equipment budget. March
‘06, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) Will be included in Capital Improvement
Plan Laboratory report. 2) Intended T.O. on “Pier Scour Countermeasures using
Fluidic Devices” (Oct. 2006) with Support Services Contractor has a sub task to
develop and to apply real 3D (holographic) PIV using a color-coded light sheet. On-going, FY07 Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: 1) Cost estimate for real 3D (holographic) PIV is included in the CIP
Laboratory report. 2) On July 06, a camera for
R-3D PIV was purchased. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Laser Doppler System.
Action to be taken: 1) Assign to new Hydraulics Engineer. 2)
Do a market search for comparable instrumentation. 3) Program funds and
purchase equipment.
Status as of 6/02/05: On-going,
March ‘06, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) 6/05 Market search for a laser Doppler
system indicates it is a $100K item. 2)
Will be included in Capital Improvement Plan Laboratory report. See item 2. On-going,
FY07/FY08, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: A detailed cost analysis and market search for a LDA system is included
in the CIP laboratory report. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Strengthen
Numerical Modeling capability via more sophisticated computer
equipment.
Action
to be taken: 1)Obtain field-view
graphics software. 2) Assess other
computer needs.
Status as of 6/02/05: On 3/05 we obtained and tested the DEMO
version of Field-view and intend to purchase a 2-yr lease agreement. FY ‘07, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) The Capital Improvement Plan Laboratory
report will discuss this issue and will suggest alternatives. 2) 11/17/05 discussed at a joint HIBT/HRDI
meeting the option has a second FTE in Hydraulics Research responsible for
numerical modeling. FY ’07, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: 1) New
software options and related costs are in the CIP lab report. 2) Coordinate
with Steve Chase and other Lab Managers to take advantage of super computers
(ANL) for CFD simulations. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Improve Flume for moveable bed
experiments.
Action
to be taken: 1) Assign to new Hydraulics Engineer. Does in-house feasibility study? 2) If feasible, develop plan to include
sediment recirculation capability. 3) Issue contract for fabrication and
installation.
Status as of 6/02/05: On-going, March ‘06, Target Completion
Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: Will be included in Capital Improvement Plan
Laboratory report. See item 2. On-going, FY07/FY08, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: Design alternatives are in the CIP lab report. See item 3 above. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Add laboratory space for perceived future activities such as erosion function
apparatus (EFA) testing.
Action
to be taken: 1) Consider for long-range capital
improvement. The lab could be extended
onto the storage pad in the rear. 2)
Reallocate use of existing space.
Status as of 6/02/05: On 5/5/05, plan to interview consultants
who will be developing the long-range capital improvements plan for TFHRC. FY
’08, Target Completion Date.1)
Status as of 3/28/06: On 8/02/05 discussed this with Stephen
Sakach. See item 1. 2) Will be included in Capital Improvement Plan Laboratory report. See item 2. On-going, FY07/FY08, Target
Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: July ’06, first major rearrangements to gain Lab space are
completed. More advanced options are
included in the CIP lab report. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Centralize Software (numerical
model) support.
Action to be taken: l) Coordinate with HIBT, and the Resource Center in addressing a corporate plan
for numerical model support. 2) Consider
the numerical modeler under the support services contract for maintenance and
tech assistance. 3) Set up a pooled fund
account for software support and maintenance.
Status as of 6/02/05: Tom
Harman has taken the lead in setting up a work group to come up with an agency
policy on software maintenance and support. On 2/2/05 discussion with Myint Lwin about this item. The FHWA national hydraulics team has been
moving towards using the BYU SMS as the umbrella for all highway drainage
software. We have established a mutually
beneficial relationship with BYU where they provide a user friendly graphical
interface for FHWA engineering programs, provide maintenance support and extend
license agreements to FHWA and State
Highway agencies for a nominal fee. Mr. Lwin does not favor using FHWA funds to
provide license agreements to States; should be a role for AASHTO or a similar
group. Discussed setting up a
pooled-fund account where each State could put in $1K or $2K per year and
perpetually maintain and enhance the highway drainage software system. We plan to test that idea at the next AASHTO
task committee meeting. On 5/10/05,
Sterling Jones discussed options for maintaining highway drainage software with
members of the AASHTO task committee on hydraulics and hydrology. The State DOT representatives voted to
encourage FHWA to continue supporting this software. The AASHTO liaison to the task committee did
not think AASHTO had the technical expertise in hydraulics or a cost effective
mechanism for maintaining this type of software. Oct ’05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1)
The numerical modeler under the support services contract for maintenance and
technical assistance can currently not be funded. 2) To setup a pooled fund account for software
support and maintenance will be discussed again at the AASHTO task committee on
hydraulics and hydrology in Apr 06. FY
05/FY 06, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: FHWA management is not in favor of FHWA providing license agreements to
States and providing long-term software support. Completed
- Panel
Recommendation: Post data from
previous laboratory and field studies on web site.
Action to be
taken: 1) see item 12 below. 2) Use pointers to access USGS databases for
field data.
Status as of
6/02/05: On 2/3/05 met with website
planning group including Terry Halkyard, Michelle Cribbs, Betsy Joyce
(webmaster), Jorge Pagan to format a Hydraulics web page with links to the
research web page; discussed protocols for posting experimental lab data. On 3/17/05 met with ICF Consultants,
represented by Mark Youman, to discuss merits of an agency web site arrangement
for sharing technical information internally and with external customers. Deborah Gwaltney, NHI e-learn program
manager, is the COTR for a contract with ICF. Feb ’05, Target Completion
Date.
Status
as of 3/28/06: Coordinate
routinely with Terry Halkyard, Michelle Cribbs (HIBT) and support services
contractor to update the Hydraulics Research website, posting reports and
experimental data on the web. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Formalize processes for technical
quality control of lab reports and internally developed numerical models.
Action to be taken: 1) Obtain at least one technical review
other than lab manager for lab reports. Include names of reviews on technical documentation form. 2) Use physical models to verity numerical
model results. Request peer reviews by
other agencies for complicated numerical models. 3) Develop a notebook of standard operating
procedures for the laboratory. 4) Make this as a topic of discussion for the office
leadership group to determine if other disciplines have Q.C. procedures in
place. 5) Document need for additional staff to maintain Q.C. in TCT
report.
Status as of 6/02/05: 11/01/04
included message in TCT report that emphasizes need for additional staff to
maintain Q.C. That is the first thing
that suffers when staffing gets too thin. FY ’05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) 11/01/04 included message in TCT report
that emphasizes need for additional staff to maintain Q.C. This is the first thing that suffers when
staffing gets too thin. 2) Implemented
recommendation in the standard operating procedure setting up a Task Order
Proposal Request (T.O.P.R) for support services contractor. Setup a process to involve an independent
expert consultant for every future study. In addition draft reports will be reviewed by at least 2 independent
experts. FY 06/FY 07, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: April ’06, Implemented recommendation in the standard operating
procedure setting up T.O.P.R for the support services contractor. Setup a process to involve an independent
expert consultant for every future study. In addition draft reports will be reviewed by at least 2 independent
experts. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Increase emphasis on documentation
of small studies and an archiving process of research result.
Action to be taken: 1.Modify the TFHRC web page to
include a real time list of publications by disciplines that is automatically
updated a new publications are posted. 2. Systematically post lab reports on the web page. 3. Document and post laboratory results used to
generate recommended procedures and laboratory reports. 4. Implement a system for the TFHRC Webmaster
to solicited new activities from managers of web page disciplines.
Status as of 6/02/05: Feb. ’05 Terry Halkyard set up a database of
all R&D publications Hydraulics R&D publications are automatically
posted under the Hydraulics list of publications as they come on line. FY ’05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) Jan 06 updated hydraulics research
website including the National Hydraulics Research Program for FY06. 2) Implemented recommendation in the standard
operating procedure setting up T.O.P.R for the support services contractor. Every future report delivered will fulfill
the requirements to be posted on the hydraulics research website. FY ’05/FY
‘06’, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: We update the Hydraulics Research website routinely (last update August
06). Completed
- Panel
Recommendation: Explore arrangements
for keeping LRFD specifications on bridge scour and hydraulics current.
Action to be
taken: Work with the FHWA Office of
Bridge Technology and AASHTO. Consider
suggestions from the program office on this recommendation.
Status as of
6/02/05: On-going – FY ‘05Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 06/15/05 met with Firas Ibrahim (HIBT) to
discuss LRFD specifications on bridge hydraulics. On-going – FY ‘05/ FY ’06,Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Negotiate long-term Laboratory support contracts.
Action to be taken: Consideration should be given to a longer term
for the contract for laboratory support, given that the learning curve may be
up to a year for some activities in the laboratory. In addition, contract staff members may not
be a productive or cost-effective in the final months of a contract or be as
interested in longer-germ studies if their future with the laboratory is in
doubt. One approach may be options for
contract extension beyond the bases performance period.
Status as of
6/02/05: The RD&T business philosophy is to recompete contracts at
least once every five years to bring in new ideas to our programs. Although there is a potential to disrupt our
program, it has not been any more a problem than having key personnel leave a
contractor for better opportunities. Feb
’05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06:
Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Mentor
future laboratory manager. Consider an
interagency advisory team.
Action
to be taken: 1) Use overlap period with current laboratory manager to establish
network with other agencies. 2) Assign
new manager as NCHRP liaison on several projects. 3) Assign new manager as the FHWA
representative on at least one existing interagency committee or task force.
Status as of 6/02/05: On 11/09/04 Jorge and Sterling met with Kornel Kerenyi to discuss
development strategy. FY ’05 Target
Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06:
Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Consider super grades for nationally
recognized technical experts.
Status as of 6/02/05: RD&T
considers this issue in work force planning. The agency considers it in the Technical Career Track (TCT)
program. Oct ’04, Target Completion
Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: The agency considers it in the Technical
Career Track (TCT) program. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Clarify back-up roles when laboratory
manager is out.
Action to be taken: Clarify back-up roles with
team leader and laboratory staff.
Status as of 6/02/05: Effective use of voice mail and cell
phones alleviates the lack of staff for back-up coverage. Dec ’04, Target Completion Date.
Status
as of 3/28/06: Team Leader
is the back up person for the Laboratory. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Strengthen Numerical Modeling
capability by adding dedicated FHWA staff. Increase Federal staff in hydraulics to two permanent people; one
for physical modeling, one for numerical modeling.
Status as of 6/02/05: 1) We increased the support services
numerical modeling contract position from half time to full time 10/01/04. 2) Adding a FTE for a numerical modeler is
not a reasonable expectation in the current political climate, which is to
privatize those functions that can be done by the private sector. Oct ’04, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 11/17/05 discussed at a joint HIBT/HRDI
meeting the option of having a second full time employee in Hydraulics research
responsible for numerical modeling. FY ‘05/ FY ’06,Target Completion
Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: 1) Currently no FTE available. 2) Planning to und a numerical modeler under the support services
contract in FY07. Completed
- Panel
Recommendation: Use contract research to augment the hydraulic
laboratory in resolving specific problems.
Action
to be taken: 1) Continue to maintain a working relationship with other
laboratories with a coordinated contract research program. 2) Encourage SP&R and NCHRP research to
augment FHWA’s research budget.
Status as of 6/02/05: Ongoing – We do this
routinely.
Status as of 3/28/06: Contracts with Texas
A&M, University
of Florida. On-going, Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Discuss at highest level the impact
of dropping hydraulic research that is not covered by the three-focus area
of (FHWA Infrastructure research).
Action to be taken: 1) Communicate or strategic plan to the
Hydraulics and hydrology AASHTO task committee. 2) Encourage States to use SP&R pooled funds to support laboratory studies
that we can’t fund. 3) Coordinate with
HIBT to set aside funds for studies needed to enhance HEC’s
Status as of 6/02/05: – Ian
Friedland’s interpretation of bridges including other structures such as
culverts and storm drain systems resolves this concern. Dec ’05, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) National Hydraulics Research Program for
FY06 includes culvert and storm drain research. 2) Apr 06 Maryland SHA and FHWA
are initiating a pooled fund study on “Low Flow Culvert Hydraulics”. Continuing
– Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: The FHWA Bridge Program Strategic Plan includes consideration of
H&H problems. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Formalize
the project selection process under the new (HRDI) team structure.
Action to be taken: 1)Hydraulics research program manager
is responsible for identifying research that will support goals of our
strategic plan. 2) Team leaders are
responsible for prioritizing research and accounting for funds.
Status as of 6/02/05: On 11/01/04 sent FY-04 topics for all
three-focus areas to Shelia Duwadi. On
11/16/04 Jorge Pagan hosted a strategy meeting on Unknown Foundations
research. Attended by Sam Mansukhani,
Jerry DiMaggio, Cynthia Nurmi, Ian Friedland, Khmis Harmany, Michelle Cribbs,
Jose Krolak and Sterling Jones. Cynthia, Sam & Khamis will prepare RFP
for a Synthesis study and we are planning a summit on Unknown foundations in
Nov 2005. On 3/11/05 a new hydraulics
roadmap, which includes headquarters activities as well as research, was
presented to the national hydraulics team for discussion. That roadmap will be maintained on the
Hydraulics web site and discussed periodically during team meetings. We have set up an executive subgroup in the
hydraulics team to vote prioritize projects for funding in a given year. Dec ’04, Target Completion Date.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) FY05 a synthesis study on “Unknown
Foundations” was awarded and a summit on “Unknown Foundations” was
conducted. 2) 12/06/05 FHWA National Hydraulics
team organized a symposium on wave forces, which is a part of a national
hurricane mitigation program. 3) Feb
2006 the National Hydraulic Research Program was discussed and finalized at the
spring FY06 NHT meeting. Continuing –
Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: 1) Feb ’06 the National Hydraulic Research Program was discussed and
finalized at the spring FY06 NHT meeting. 2) July 07: HIBT and Hydraulics
R&D completed a joint strategic plan. Completed
- Panel
Recommendation: Encourage State
sponsored research that has universal results or that can be piggybacked to
produce universal results.
Action to be
taken: 1) Communicate or strategic
plan to the Hydraulics and hydrology AASHTO task committee. 2) Encourage States to use SP&R pooled
funds to support lab studies that we can’t fund. 3) Coordinate with HIBT to set aside funds
for studies needed to enhance HEC’s.
Status as of
6/02/05: Continuing.
Status as of 3/28/06: This recommendation is a consequence of item
20 above and was taken as a suggestion for expanding our investigations in the
laboratory beyond bridges. It is resolved by
the broad interpretation of bridge structures.
Status as of 10/05/06: 1) April 06 Maryland SHA and FHWA initiated pooled fund study on “Low
Flow Culvert Hydraulics” (TPF-074). 2)
Other pooled fund studies will be initiated as deemed import by FHWA, AASHTO,
H&H and stakeholders. Completed
- Panel Recommendation: Encourage policy of
writing papers for peer review.
Action to be taken: Accept recommendation. Seek more active roles in professional
societies.
Status as of 6/02/05: – Continuing.
Status as of 3/28/06: 1) Our individual work plans include a
requirement for writing technical papers as part of professional
development. 2) Public Roads articles
(Sept/Oct 2005), Jan/Feb 2006). Continuing
– Target Completion Date.
Status as of 10/05/06: Completed
Key Recommendations and Activities were completed October 5, 2006.
|