Engineering Commons^™

Performance Survey Of Reinforced Concrete Pipe Culverts, Robert C. Deen, Ronald D. Hughes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Methods of installation and design criteria have tended to restrict the usefulness of rigid pipe culverts. With the increased mileage of highways which meet high standards, there has been an increase in the number of pipe culverts installed under high fills. This, of course, has accented the need for criteria for the proper design and installation of rigid pipe to obtain the maximum utilization of the pipe strength and to minimize the possible steelements that may occur in the road surface near the pipe installation or in the flow line of the pipe culvert.

In order to provide for an …

Performance Report On Bridge Resurfacings With Silica Sand-Asphalt Mixture, Robert L. Florence

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

When the Maintenance Division found it necessary to resurface the Clark Memorial and Ashland-Coal Grove Bridges in 1958, a thin, silica sand-asphalt, wearing surface was recommended by the Research Division. The basis of the recommendations was the promising results obtained in laboratory testing and the apparently successful resurfacing of bridges with thin applications of silica sand-asphalt in the New York Area and elsewhere. The design and construction details pertaining to these two projects have been reported previously. This report is a record of the performance of the two projects and of the repair of spalled areas on the deck of …

Analysis Of Pavement Roughness, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In earlier progress reports dealing with the development of triaxial acceleration analysis as applied to the evaluation of pavement riding qualities, of which this report is a continuation, riding comfort or discomfort was emphasized. The accelerations monitored then were evaluated in terms of g's per sec., or "jerk" which is considered by some authorities to be a more significant index of comfort. The earlier methods of analysis have been reviewed, and acceleration is considered here to be the most practical parameter to use as a measure of pavement roughness. Most of the equipment and instrumentation has been retained, and the …

A Method For The Design Of Foundations Supporting Highway Signs, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

With the increased mileage of highways being built to high standards, the resulting high-speed travel requires that more and larger signs be installed to relay to the motoring public information they require. It would be desirable to have a method of design which will result in a foundation involving rather simple construction procedures. It was decided that a cylindrical, non-reinforced concrete foundation with an uniform diameter would be the most advantageous for construction purposes. It should be realized, however, tha(the most efficient shape theoretically is one that has increased diameters at the top and the bottom.

The resistance of a …

Performance Report On Application Of Wire Mesh Reinforcement To Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Overlays, Robert C. Deen, Robert L. Florence

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the past two decades an increasing mileage of portland cement concrete pavements has been resurfaced with bituminous concrete. This has generally proven to be a satisfactory and economical method of restoring, improving and enhancing the traffic service life of the highways. After a short period, however, cracks often begin to appear over the joints and cracks of the underlying concrete pavement. This condition is commonly referred to as "reflection cracking".

The presence of these reflection cracks are undesirable for a number of reasons. The open crack that develops may permit water to penetrate, often causing rave ling of the …

Evaluation Of A Vibratory Roller For Use In Compacting Bituminous Concrete Mixes, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

According to Article 4.3.5-D-1 of the 1956 Edition of Kentucky's Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, a minimum of two rollers, one 3-wheeled roller and one tandem roller, shall be required on each state project involving bituminous concrete paving operations. A further requirement of the specifications is that additional rollers will be provided so that there is avaHable "...at least one roller for each 30 tons of the bituminous mixture per hour..." that is laid. This, of course, means that for paving operations involving the laying of the bituminous mixture at rapid rates, the contractor must have available and …

Discussion Of The Kentucky Criteria For Design Of Flexible Pavement Thicknesses, Kentucky Highway Materials Research Laboratory

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Department of Highways, in 1946, sought a more systematic criteria and basis for designing the thickness of bituminous concrete pavements. The Research Division was authorized to pursue this work and to develop the criterion. These efforts were embodied in a report (1) to the Department, which offered a system of design based upon CBR's and EWL's. EWL's were computed originally for a 10-year period but this practice was revised in 1954 to encompass 20-year traffic (more realistic with respect to average road life). Then, in 1957, the Department requested a re-evaluation of the criteria from the standpoint of …

A Discussion On The Durability Of Expanded Shale Aggregate For Exposed Concrete Structures (Bridges), James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the period between 1924 and 1934, in particular, numerous reinforced concrete bridges were built in Kentucky and elsewhere. Although many of them are still in service, they are some 30 years old and are showing the effects of time and weather. While it is true, of course, that they were constructed without the benefit of air-entrainment and without many present-day control practices, the influences of aggregate quality and freeze-thaw are usually apparent. The advent of the de-icing salt era, about 1940 and following World War II, introduced an additional deteriorating influence gnawing at old and new structures alike. The …

Criteria For Design Of Pavement Thicknesses, Kentucky Interstate Highways, William B. Drake, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Department of Highways, in 1946, sought a more systematic criteria and basis for designing the thickness of bituminous concrete pavements. The Research Division was authorized to pursue this work and to develop the criterion. These efforts were embodied in a report (1) to the Department, which offered a system of design based upon CBR's and EWL's. EWL's were computed originally for a 10-yr. period but this practice was revised in 1954, to encompass 20-yr. traffic (more realistic with respect to average road life). Then, in 1957, the Department requested a re-evaluation of the criteria from the standpoint of …

Experimental Paving Projects Using Curtiss-Wright’S Coal-Modified, Coal-Tar Binder [1960], James F. Hardyman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

On April 7, 1959, the Curtiss-Wright Corporation announced the development of a new coal-based road paving binder, utilizing bituminous coal. This development was the result of their research program conducted in an effort to find new uses for coal and coal products. The basic principle used in preparing this bituminous binder was the digestion of powdered coal in coal tar and tar oils at temperatures of 500-600°F. By adjusting the proportions of tar, tar oils, and coal, binders could be prepared having penetration ranges comparable to asphalt cements. It was the intent of the developers that the modified binders be …

Proposed Specification For Bridge Paints, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

On July 30, 1958, two proposed bridge paint system specifications were submitted by this Division for Department consideration. Since that time, there have been several discussion sessions between various paint industry, representatives, members of the Department Specifications Committee, and J. H. Havens, Assistant Director of Research. Mr. Havens has been requested by the Specifications Committee to re-write one of the specifications, BASIC LEAD SILICO-CHROMATE, OIL-ALKYD PAINT SYSTEMS FOR IRON AND STEEL STRUCTURES (BRIDGES), and to prepare an additional specification covering, PHENOLIC RESIN PENETRATING LIQUID PAINT SYSTEM FOR IRON AND STEEL STRUCTURES (BRIDGES).

Rockcastle (Pottsville) Conglomerate Sand Evaluation In Portland Cement Concrete, Milton Evans Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In order to analyze the concrete making properties of a processed Pottsville Conglomerate Sand from Rockcastle County, Kentucky, several batches of portland cement concrete were made. Standard mixing control, strength, and durability tests as well as a short cut test to detect excessive expansion during curing were performed on the concrete. Control specimens were made utilizing an Ohio River Sand, typical for this area, as the fine aggregate. This sand which was acceptable by Kentucky Highway Department Specifications was produced by the Nugent Sand Company of Louisville, Kentucky. The sand was submitted for evaluation in this manner by the State …

Bituminous Concrete Pavement Surface Damage From Soil Action, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the last week of August, Mr. J. S. Riley, Supervisory Construction Engineer, Area D, called our attention to a unique problem which arose during the final dressing of the most recent extension of the New Circle Road in Fayette County. Because of the uniqueness of the situation, the memo is intended to be a record of the phenomenon observed and a report of our investigation and analysis of the circumstances related thereto.

Camber Design Study For Concrete Pipe Culverts, Aubrey D. May

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

When a pipe culvert is constructed on or near the natural ground surface and covered by a highway fill or embankment, the weight of the embankment compresses and consolidates the foundation soil, settlement occurs, and the culvert subsides or sags below the original line as illustrated in Fig. 1. The amount of settlement depends, of course, upon the fill height or load, the depth of foundation soil, and the susceptibility of the foundation soil to consolidation. In addition, and toward the toes of the embankment, the structure may tend to lengthen. It may lengthen slightly, however, simply because the distance …

Cold-Weather Concreting, Milton Evans Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In order to successfully place concrete in cold weather, certain established requirements must be met. The concrete must not be allowed to freeze, it must not be overheated by artificial means in an attempt to protect it from the cold, and proper curing conditions must be maintained during the period of protection to insure sufficient moisture for the cement to hydrate. Generally, temperatures of not less than 50°F and not more than 90°F are satisfactory. These temperatures must be maintained long enough for the concrete to develop sufficient strength to withstand freezing temperatures and to support the loads. Generally, concretes …

Interim Status Of Tire Service Life Study, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The service life of selected, most commonly used tire sizes installed on Highway Department trucks and sedans will be evaluated. Major manufacturers and other manufacturers (later defined) products will be studied to determine average service life. One half or four highway districts (1, 2, 7 and 8) will be involved in the project and the trucks used will be selected or assigned at random in these districts (The sedans used in the study will be Central Office pool vehicles). A progress record for each tire and use record for each vehicle with regular report or measurement times to be specified …

Limestone Fine Aggregate In Portland Cement Concrete, George R. Laughlin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Limestone is classified as a carbonaceous sedimentary rock. In general, the term is applied only to those rocks in which the carbonate fraction exceeds the non-carbonate fraction. The carbonate may be calcite and/or dolomite. In addition to the primary constituents, there are contaminating minerals such as quartz, clay minerals, chalcedony (chert and flint), pyrite, feldspars and organic matter. The clay minerals are probably the most deleterious contaminates in carbonate rock.

Morton’S Gap Culvert-Pipe Installation, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The attached report, "Interim Performance Report on Morton's Gap Culvert Pipe Installation", by James H. Havens, is primarily a listing of the status of the condition of pipe still in the test and the date of failure or removal of the other sections.

Mr. Havens has prepared as background information, a brief record of the Department's practices involving pipe use for the past 10 years. He has begun with the Research Division's first study into pipe damaged by the corrosive action of acid water. This information is presented primarily because of its significance in the development of the culvert pipe …

Investigation Of Concrete Pavement, Us 60 Between Versailles And Frankfort, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A preliminary examination was made of the subject pavement on November 2, 1959, by James H. Havens and the writer, of the Research Division, and J. S. Riley, Construction Division. The discover of deleterious matter in the pavement was the major reason for the inspection. Foreign objects could be found imbedded in the concrete pavement throughout the project. However, there were a great many more in two sections, each about one quarter of a mile long, than on the rest of the project. The objects observed were wood, cloth, metal and soil. However, there was decided prevalence of soil. The …

The Design Of Thin, Silica Sand-Asphalt, Wearing Surfaces For Highways And Bridges, Robert L. Florence

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study was performed at the Highway Materials Research Laboratory in Lexington, Kentucky. In this study the various sands were combined with a sphalt cement of penetration 60 to 70 and tested by the Marshall method to determine the physical characteristics of the mixtures. Other variables investigated were the hardness of the asphalt cement and the amount of mineral filler. A coefficient of friction was determined, by means of a laboratory testing device, for each of the mixtures.

Due to the promising results of the laboratory testing, and the successful re-surfacing of bridges with silica sand-asphalt mixtures in the New …

The Use Of Epoxy Resin For Sealing Cracks In A Reinforced Concrete Bridge, Milton Evans Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In the summer of 1958, a special formulation of epoxy resin was used to seal hairline cracks in the safety walks of the Levisa-Fork bridge at Paintsville, Kentucky. This bridge, a reinforced concrete box girder-type, Fig. 1, developed fine cracks soon after the falsework was removed. The cracks which were typically like those in Figs. 2 and 3, occurred in two areas, each extending about 30 ft. on either side of the center piers. They were through the full depth of the slab and ranged from about .005 in. to .031 in. in width. In all, there were 55 cracks …

Densely-Graded Aggregate Base, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

The Effect Of Thermal Treatment On The Engineering Properties Of Clays, George R. Laughlin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Of the cohesive soils the property of plasticity is usually of the most concern to the engineer. The clay minerals rather than the clay size material present in a soil determine the degree and magnitude of plastic properties. In turn, the plasticity of the clay minerals varies according to their mineralogy and particle size. Of the various types of clay minerals present in a soil, only kaolinite, illite and montmorillonite occur in sufficient abundance to be of general engineering significance.

Much prior work has been performed to alter these plastic properties of clay soils. This has been accomplished in some …

Lean Concretes Using Kentucky's Dense Graded Aggregate (Portland Cement And Ss-1 Emulsified Asphalt), James H. Havens, Milton Evans Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Since the development of dense-graded aggregate base in Kentucky about 1952, there have been various conjectures about "auto-cementations" or "setting" of these materials when compacted and cured. In some cases, particularly when the material was limestone, they have developed rather surprising strengths, in the field as well as in the laboratory. Such displays of strength seem to be directly associated with curing (slow drying) and the possibility of re-deposition of small amounts of dissolved calcium carbonate as cement. If this is so, it might be surmised that bases which have not been "fixed" by curing and drying before surfacing may …

Progress Report On Calcium Chloride Maintained Traffic Bound Roads, George R. Laughlin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The object of this study is to evaluate the effectiveness of calcium chloride in maintaining traffic-bound roads. Various theses propose that the use of calcium chloride will minimize the loss of granular material from the base by reducing attrition and dusting; thereby aiding in stabilization. Such theses further suggest that when the proper amount of binder or soil mortar is present, calcium chloride will preserve a more uniform moisture condition within the soil-mortar and thus hold the aggregate in place and in a more stable condition. The primary purpose of the study is not to test these theses, but rather …

Discussion Of Manufactured Stone Sand, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Dense Graded Aggregate Base Development, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

17-Year Report On The Owensboro-Hartford Co-Operative Investigation Of Joint Spacing In Concrete Pavements, Milton Evans Jr., William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In 1940, the Kentucky Department of Highways constructed an experimental concrete pavement which was one of a group of six built in co-operation with the Bureau of Public Roads by the States of Minnesota, California, Kentucky, Michigan, Missouri and Oregon. The purpose of these projects was to study and evaluate the performance of such pavements over a period of years with specific regard to types of joints and spacings. The Kentucky project, consisting of 6.27 miles, was constructed in Daviess County, beginning approximately 6 miles south of Owensboro on US Route 231 (formerly Ky. Route 71).

This report is a …

Re-Evaluation Of The Kentucky Flexible Pavement Design Criterion, William B. Drake, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Prior to 1948, the criterion in Kentucky for designing the thickness of bituminous pavements was based upon a modified laboratory CBR and the 1942 curves developed by the California Department of Highways. In 1948, the Materials Research Laboratory reported: "An Investigation of Field and Laboratory Methods for Evaluating Sub-grade Support in the Design of Highway Flexible Pavement." Included in that report as a recommended method of thickness design for use in Kentucky was a set of curves based upon an empirical relationship between minimum laboratory CBR and observed pavement performance. These five curves accounted for traffic groups up to 10,000,000 …

Bridge Resurfacing With Silica Sand-Asphalt Mixture, Loren H. Strunk

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The bituminous section has been engaged in testing silica sand-asphalt mixtures composed of various penetration grades of asphalt and sands from sand and sandstone deposits from several different areas of the state since early this year. The purpose of this study was to develop a surfacing mixture which would provide a skid-resistant surface and which could be machine laid in thin courses.