A Survey of States\u27 Aggregate Soundness Specifications and Test Methods

This report summarizes findings of a national survey to determine aggregate durability test methods and specification requirements of the various states. Also included are specifications and test methods concerning allowable shale contents in aggregates and requirements for percentages of crushed particles in aggregates

Design and Performance of a Bituminous Surface Mixture Containing Bottom Ash Aggregate

A one-mile experimental bituminous surface overlay was placed in October 1987 on State Route 3 in Lawrence County, Kentucky. The experimental section utilized bottom ash aggregate from the Kentucky Power Company\u27s Big Sandy Power Plant, near Louisa, Kentucky. Bottom ashes are generally angular and have very porous surfaces. Approximately 539 tons of the experimental bituminous surface material, containing 40 percent bottom ash (dry weight), were placed. Reported herein are results of laboratory tests and performance evaluations of the experimental surface mixture. Performance of the experimental bottom ash surface has been excellent. Skid resistance tests indicate the surface is highly skid resistant. Bottom ash represents a large potential source of high-friction, nonpolishing aggregate that may be successfully substituted for a portion of the coarse aggregate in a bituminous surface mixture

Shrinkage Compensation Deck Concrete (KY 1974 Bridge over Tates Creek Road)

This report summarizes the construction activities on an experimental bridge deck utilizing shrinkage compensating concrete. The experimental concrete is characterized in terms of freeze/thaw durability, compressive strength, and elastic moduli

Engineering Estimates and FHWA Accuracy Criterion

The Federal Highway Administration requires the construction cost estimate of the highway engineer to be a projection of the low bid, and be within +/- 10 percent of the low bid for at least 50 percent of the projects awarded. Construction cost estimates developed by the Estimating Staff of the Kentucky Department of Highways have not always met this criterion in years past. The Estimating Staff of the Kentucky Department of Highways use an actual cost approach to generate construction cost estimates. It was concluded that the Department\u27s estimating staff possess the ability to do very thorough and accurate work. The Estimating Staff produce a construction cost estimate for a project that is considered to be a reasonable and equitable price for an average contractor to complete the proposed work in an approved manner. The Kentucky Department of Highways considers the engineer\u27s estimate to be a fair price for the project. The percent o!the engineer\u27s estimates within +/- 10 percent of the low bid improved during the period reviewed. Proper assessment of the affect of competition on the bids for bituminous projects would virtually guarantee compliance with FHWA\u27s accuracy standard. Advantages and disadvantages of determining a fair price tor a construction project versus predicting the low bid were examined

Evaluation of Procedures for Testing Aggregates

This report summarizes findings of a research study conducted to evaluate aggregate testing procedures as related to aggregate soundness and durability. The objectives of the study were to determine a suitable replacement or modification of Kentucky\u27s existing Sodium Sulfate Soundness Test for aggregates which would more accurately reflect in-service performance of concrete pavements and bridges, to correlate freezing and thawing durability data and other test data with sodium sulfate soundness data, and to develop a rational implementation criterion for use of new or modified testing procedures. There were no observable correlations between the various test methods evaluated and the Sodium Sulfate Soundness Test for aggregate types. Continued use of the soundness test, in strict accordance with Kentucky\u27s Standard Test Method is recommended to evaluate aggregate soundness

Performance of a Shrinkage Compensating Deck Concrete (KY 1974 Bridge over West Hickman Creek)

This report summarizes performance monitoring activities and evaluation in conjunction with the experimental use of shrinkage compensating bridge deck concrete (Class s). Two bridges of similar design but constructed using Class AA concrete were monitored for comparison purposes. due to the absence of significant shrinkage cracking on the comparison bridge decks and the presence of minor shrinkage cracking on the Class S bridge deck, no conclusions were apparent at this time. Further study may quantify the reduction of shrinkage cracking due to the use of shrinkage compensating concrete in bridge decks

Utilization of Fossil-Fuel Related By-Product Materials for Highway Construction in Kentucky

In an effort to increase the utilization of fossil-fuel by product materials in highway construction project, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet authorized the experimental use of several waste materials. These materials included bottom ashes, fly ash, scrubber sludge, multicone kiln dust, and residues tram atmospheric fluidized bed combustion processes. Bottom ash aggregate was used as a partial replacement for the limestone aggregate in a bituminous surface mix. Non-specification fly ash was used in lieu of Class F fly ash in a stabilized aggregate base. Bottom ash stabilized with residue from an atmospheric fluidized bed combustion process was used as a highway subbase layer. Scrubber sludge was used for an embankment construction, Multicone kiln dust and residue from an atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) process were used to modify the engineering properties of a sot\ subgrade. Some of the experimental uses of the waste materials proved quite successful. However, the successes achieved in the laboratory studies were not always duplicated in the field trails and some failures occurred. Principally, uses of residues tram the AFBC processes were those that exhibited undesirable performance. Nevertheless, it is believed that economical and effective uses of the AFBC residues in highway construction applications can be achieved by conducting further research on these materials

Recycled Materials in Kentucky Highway Construction

The objectives of this study were to identify and list waste materials which should be recycled to reduce solid waste disposal; report current and past efforts of the Kentucky Department of Highways to utilize recycled and waste materials; determine through a thorough literature search and review, the efforts of other local, state, national and international transportation agencies to utilize recycled materials; and, present preliminary recommendations listing areas where additional recycling efforts appear promising, feasible and needed. Waste materials that were identified which could be recycled to reduce solid waste disposal included demolition waste (building rubble, recycled concrete pavement, recycled asphalt pavement), rubber tires, plastics, glass, and paper. It has been found that these materials contain recoverable fractions that are potentially useful in highway related applications. Examples of their use in highway construction and maintenance activities have been accented and discussed. Additionally, other reclaimed by-product materials have been identified that are effective in highway applications. Those include fly ash, bottom ash, scrubber sludge, AFBC residues, cement and lime kiln dust, and slag aggregates. A significant reduction in the extensive amount of land area required for waste disposal would be achieved through recycling only a portion of these materials. The Kentucky Department of Highways has actively promoted research into the utilization of by-product materials in highway construction. The Department utilizes significant amounts of by-product materials as a result of the strong commitment to fund research in this area. However, recyclable materials such as rubber tires, plastics wastes, building rubble, waste glass, and waste paper have not been widely used. Research is recommended relative to the use of recycled rubber in asphaltic concrete mixtures to determine whether any threat to human health or the environment exists, whether asphaltic concrete pavements containing rubber can be recycled, and whether those pavement types provide acceptable levels of performance. High volume uses of discarded tires should be investigated in other highway construction and maintenance applications such as light-weight embankments, retaining walls, and safety hardware. Recycled portland cement concrete as aggregate in paving applications appears feasible. The use of recycled plastic fibers in asphaltic and portland cement concrete mixtures should be evaluated. Innovative uses of recycled paper in highway applications should be studied. The Kentucky Department of Highways should increase high volume uses of fossil-fuel by-product materials that have been proven effective. High volume use of reclaimed asphaltic concrete materials should continue. In order for the use of recycled and by-product materials to be feasible, a longer life, greatly improved performance, and reduced disposal costs must offset the higher initial costs related to their use

Subsurface Drainage of Highway Pavements

Properly designed and constructed drainage layers can be used for effective control of surface water infiltration. Former pavement design methods often have resulted in base courses that have not drained well, thereby resulting in some premature failures of the pavement structure. The Kentucky Department of Highways is currently reviewing proposed guidelines for design of highway pavements. The guidelines propose the use of open graded, free draining, aggregate bases for controlling infiltrated surface water. However, interim design guidelines do not specifically address the design of aggregate drainage blankets. The purpose of this study was to develop recommendations relating to the specification, design, and construction of pavement drainage layers as an integral part of the pavement structure

Demonstration Project No. 59: The Use of Fly Ash in Highway Construction, Fayette County, Kentucky

This report summarizes preliminary site investigations, design criteria and procedures, construction criteria and procedures, and results of initial and final evaluations of an experimental road base utilizing lime kiln dust, fly ash and aggregate. Observed performance has been satisfactory. Compressive strength evaluations indicate exceptional early strength and continued strength gain of the pozzolanic base. Back calculation of specific elastic layer moduli indicate that the moduli of the pozzolanic base material is most likely within a range of 500,000 to 1,000,000 psi. Based upon observations to date, treated bases enhance overall pavement performance and their use should be continued. It is quite probable that pavement life may be extended at reduced costs