jmc

The line through $A$ and $B$ has slope $\frac{0-8}{2-0}=-4$ and passes through $(0,8)$, so thus has equation $y=-4x+8$. The line through $A$ and $C$ has slope $\frac{0-8}{8-0}=-1$ and passes through $(0,8)$, so thus has equation $y=-x+8$.

The point $T$ is the point on the line $y=-4x+8$ with $y$-coordinate $t$. To find the $x$-coordinate, we solve $t=-4x+8$ to get $4x=8-t$ or $x=\frac{1}{4}(8-t)$. The point $U$ is the point on the line $y=-x+8$ with $y$-coordinate $t$. To find the $x$-coordinate, we solve $t=-x+8$ to get $x=8-t$.

Therefore, $T$ has coordinates $(\frac{1}{4}(8-t),t)$, $U$ has coordinates $(8-t,t)$, and $A$ is at $(0,8)$.

$TU$ is horizontal and has length $(8-t)-\frac{1}{4}(8-t)=\frac{3}{4}(8-t)$ and the distance from $TU$ to $A$ is $8-t$, so the area in terms of $t$ is $$\frac{1}{2}\left(\frac{3}{4}(8-t)\right)(8-t)=\frac{3}{8}(8-t{)}^2.$$Since this equals $13.5$, we have $\frac{3}{8}(8-t{)}^2=13.5$ or $(8-t{)}^2=\frac{8}{3}(13.5)=36$. Because line segment $TU$ is below $A$, $t<8$, and so $8-t>0$. Therefore, $8-t=6\Rightarrow t=8-6=\boxed{2}$.