Engineering Commons^™

Mechanical And Engineering Properties Of A Cherty Paleozoic Material, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In September 1982, Research Report UKTRP-82-16 was issued to document the sampling of a cherty Paleozoic material from a test pit on Divide Cut Section 3A of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway. Results of laboratory testing of the samples were also reported.

Subsequent to the issuance of Report UKTRP-82-16, additional testing and analyses have been completed. The purpose of this report is to document the results of those tests and analyses.

Engineering Properties Of Overburden Materials For The Means Project, Vincent P. Drnevich, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A geotechnical investigation was performed to determine the physical properties (classification) and engineering properties of the overburden material from a proposed oil shale mining site in Montgomery County (Means Project). Three overburden materials were received in sealed meal drums and were labeled Nancy Member, Borden Formation; Clay City Bed, Farmers Member, Borden Formation; and Henley bed, Farmers Member, Borden Formation. Hereafter, they will be referred to as the Nancy, Clay City and Henley, respectively. the various types of geotechnical laboratory tests performed on these materials are listed in Table 1.

Review Of Pertinent Contract Documents Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway Divide Cut Section 3a, Ronald D. Hughes, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During construction of a portion of the Tombigbee Canal near Corinth, Mississippi, southward from Pickwick Lake (Station 13,118+00 to 13,337+50), the Contractor reported various problems, which he termed "differing site conditions." Some of the items considered as problems by the Contractor were: the amount of cherty Paleozoic material was far less than he expected or anticipated, there were deep deposits of bluish muck, the alluvial was not sufficiently stable to place in 1-foot lifts, excessively wet materials made it necessary to shift equipment frequently, the equipment had to travel over bad roads, and the materials had no bearing strength.

Strain Energy Analysis Of Pavement Designs For Heavy Trucks, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, Jesse G. Mayes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The first portion of this paper summarizes classical concepts of work, or strain energy, as applied to the analysis of stresses, strains, and deflections under various vehicular load configurations on pavement systems. Controlling equations for strain energy density are presented. When considering strain energy density, strain energy, or work, all components of stresses or strains must be taken into account so that total internal behavior can be evaluated. Previously, pavement thickness design systems have been developed using only a single component of strain, typically at the bottom of the asphaltic concrete layer or at the top of the subgrade. Strain …

Effects Of Construction Variations Upon Dynamic Moduli Of Asphaltic Concrete, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The two variables that most influence the behavior of asphaltic concrete pavements are subgrade modulus and thickness of the asphaltic concrete. Other significant variables are: temperature of the asphaltic concrete, asphaltic concrete modulus, frequency of the dynamic loading, asphalt content by weight in mix, and voids in the asphaltic concrete mix.

During a series of Road Rater tests on a experimental pavement in Kentucky, deflection test data varied widely from expected values. Test data reported by Kallas and Riley permitted the development of an equation relating asphaltic concrete modulus to its temperature and to the frequency of loading. However, after …

Mechanical Properties Of Kentucky Oil Shales As Related To Mine Design Application, Tom F. Fudge Jr., David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To develop oil shales as an alternate energy resource, it will be necessary to develop appropriate mining techniques. In this regard, the mechanical properties of the ore must be determined. Section I of this paper presents data from a laboratory study to determine these properties. Uniaxial compression tests, longitudinal frequency tests, indirect tensile tests, and triaxial tests were performed. Section II uses data from section I to design an example underground mine. Strength properties are considered in the design of roof spans and pillars. It is concluded that underground mining of Kentucky oil shale is feasible with a possible extraction …

Engineering Properties Of Kentucky Oil Shales, Vincent P. Drnevich, Tommy C. Hopkins, David L. Allen, Samuel S. Hale

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Excavation, handling, and the environmentally safe disposal of spent oil shale and overburden materials require a knowledge of their geotechnical engineering properties. To determine these properties a laboratory investigation of the physical and geotechnical engineering properties was made. The physical tests consisted of mechanical analyses, Atterberg Limits, and specific gravity determinations. Geotechnical properties were determined by moisture-density analyses, triaxial compression, permeability tests, slake-durability, one-dimensional compression tests, and Los Angeles abrasion. A one-dimensional compression test was devised to address the problem of placement, loading, and saturation of the spent shales and overburden materials. The compacted, unprocessed oil shales were more susceptible …

Warrants For Left-Turn Lanes, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Warrants for the installation of separate left-turn lanes were developed. Literature was reviewed, and policies and practices in other states were surveyed. Accident analyses of locations with and without separate left-turn lanes were conducted. Computer simulation was used to determine relationships among traffic delay, load factor, traffic volume, percent left-turns, cycle length, and cycle split. The relationship between left-turn accidents and conflicts was investigated.

Warrants were developed involving the following three general areas:

1. accident experience,
2. volumes (based on delay), and
3. traffic conflicts.

Child Restraint Usage In Kentucky (Pre-Legislation), Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In an attempt to increase child restraint usage, a law was enacted by the 1982 Kentucky Legislature requiring use of child restraints for children forty inches or less in height. To evaluate the effectiveness of this law, a usage survey had to be completed before the law became effective. Objectives of this study were to determine statewide child restraint usage and statistics relating to improper usage. Seatbelt usage of drivers was also analyzed.

A statewide child restraint usage rate of 14.4 percent was obtained. Only 44 percent of restraints were coded as used properly. Several factors, such as population, age …

Deflection And Evaluation Of Flexible Pavements For Design Of Overlays, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Personnel from the University of Kentucky Transportation Research Program (KTRP) were requested by the Tennessee Transportation Center to conduct a demonstration project concerning the collection and use of deflection data (Road Rater) for evaluation of the existing condition of flexible pavements for use in overlay design. The demonstration project involved using the Road Rater to collect deflection data on specific pavement sections selected by the Tennessee Department of Transportation (TDOT). Deflection data were evaluated in a way that provides input parameters for an overlay design procedure (see Appendix A). The Kentucky overlay design procedure was used to make recommendations concerning …

Snow-Melting System, 9th Street And I 64, Louisville, Wm. Vernon Azevedo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The 9th Street - I 64 interchange in Louisville was equipped with an automated electrical heating system for snow and ice removal. The system is capable of maintaining a clear and safe passageway. This report summarizes the performance of the heating system and describes the factors that will influence future use of this or other nonconventional methods of snow and ice removal.

Mechanical & Engineering Properties Of A Cherty Paleozoic Material, Robert C. Deen, David L. Allen, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Divide Cut Section 3A of the Tennessee-Tombigbee Waterway is located in Tishomingo County, Mississippi. Construction of this portion of the canal required the excavation of a cherty residuum. This material (hereafter referred to as cherty Paleozoic material) is a member of the Fort Payne Formation, of the Mississippian Period, of the Paleozoic era. The purpose of this study was to determine the mechanical and engineering properties of the material, including its abrasiveness. Also, the mineralogy of the material was to be determined and a particular effort was made to determine if the material could be classified as Tripoli.

On …

Highway Sizing, Joseph D. Crabtree, John A. Deacon

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A critical examination is made of the conventional method for highway sizing, that is, determination of lane requirements. Ranked hourly traffic volume distributions, obtained from 1977 Kentucky volume stations are examined to test certain assumptions common to the conventional approach. Several of these distributions have no distinct "knee" and, for those which do, the knee is most frequently found outside the normally anticipated range. Of equal importance, the knee location can be arbitrarily altered simply by changing the number of highest volume hours that are examining.

The fundamental fallacy of the conventional procedure is its focus on a single design …

Traffic Accident Rates In Kentucky (1980), Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics in Kentucky in 1980 for use in identifying hazardous locations. To identify locations having an abnormal accident history, norms must be established and these norms must be kept up-to-date to maintain a reliable identification program.

Average accident rates were calculated using several methods of classifying highways. Average rates for counties and cities were calculated, and counties and cities with the highest rates for their population category were identified. A series of curves were drawn giving criteria which can be used to determine whether a particular location has an …

Summary Of Vehicle Classification Data, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

As part of an attempt to calculate accident rates for different vehicle types on various kinds of roads, it was necessary to determine the percentage of each vehicle type in the traffic stream for each type road. This was accomplished by summarizing Kentucky's Vehicle Classification File. The procedure used in summarizing the file and the results of the summary are presented in this report. Vehicle distributions are reported by number of lanes, by functional classification, by administrative classification, by federal-aid system, by hour of day, by day of week, and by month of year. It is believed this report provides …

Pavement Roughness In Kentucky, Gary W. Sharpe, David H. Cain, Herbert F. Southgate, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Over two hundred pavement sections in Kentucky have been periodically measured for pavement roughness over a period of several years. This pavement service-life historical data can be used to assess quality of construction, pavement service-life, present and anticipated pavement condition. Road users perception of ride quality can be related to these measurements. Response-type road roughness measuring systems have been used to collect roughness measurements and correlation studies have been performed to relate measurements from current systems. Several factors influence pavement roughness. An early factor is construction workmanship. Other factors are traffic loading, environment, geology, and age.

Allocation Of Transportation Costs To Users, James E. Black, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The 1980 annual cost responsibility and user-generated revenue were determined for each vehicle class using Kentucky's highways. The incremental-cost method was selected as the procedure for assigning the responsibility for each component of the highway cost to the users. Generally, the method is based on the concept that each highway cost component can be subdivided into increments caused by vehicles of different types, sizes, and weights.

Annual costs for the highway system were based on construction, replacement or current value costs representing capital investment components of the highway. Those components were: 1) preliminary design and engineering, 2) right-of-way, 3) utilities …

Accident Rates By Vehicle Type, Joseph D. Crabtree, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the calculation of accident rates for different vehicle types, using vehicle-miles travelled as the measure of exposure. Rates are reported for passenger cars, single-unit trucks, combination trucks, buses, and motorcycles on various highway types. Highway types are broken down by functional classificaion, administrative classification, number of lanes, and rural or urban location. Generally motorcycles had the highest rates and passenger cars had the lowest, although this varied by highway type.

Analysis Of Saturation Flow At Signalized Intersections, Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The accuracy of saturation flow values is of prime importance when determining the capacity of signalized intersections. The objective of this study was to collect a large sample of field measurements so that reliable saturation flow values could be obtained and the factors affecting saturation flow could be identified.

The results identified several factors which had significant influence on saturation flow. A formula was recommended for use in estimating an appropriate saturation flow value for a specific lane on an approach to an intersection. Adjustment factors were applied to a "base'' saturation flow value. Adjustments were developed for the following …

Evaluation Of Snowplowable Markers, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to evaluate available snowplowable markers under similar traffic and snowplowing operations. There were five different markers tested which included the following: 1) Stimsonite 96, 2) Dura-Brite, 3) recessed, 4) Kingray, and 5) Prismo Roadstud.

The Stimsonite 96, Dura-Brite, and recessed markers were found to be acceptable snowplowable markers. All three of these markers were found to have adequate reflectivity during both dry and wet nighttime conditions. This reflectivity was maintained over the test period and the markers proved to be durable when subjected to snowplow operations. However, considering all available input, the recessed marker …

Problem Identification For Highway Safety Plan (Fy 1983), Kenneth R. Agent, Joseph D. Crabtree, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An annual highway safety program is proposed each year for the State of Kentucky in order to comply with Section 402, Title 23 of the United States code. This program includes the identification, programming, budgeting, and evaluation of safety projects. This report is the fourth in a series of annual reports which have been included as the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety Plan.

The approach used in this study involved identifying problem areas related to the 18 highway safety program standards with added emphasis placed on selected areas. This resulted in the analysis of 19 problem identification …

Triaxial Compression And Permeability Tests On Dense Graded Aggregate, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Fifty-six dense-graded aggregate samples of crushed limestone were received from the Division of Materials. Triaxial tests and permeability tests were to be performed.

The samples were obtained from seven sources with four gradations (fine, medium, coarse, and gap) from each source and two samples of each gradation. One of the samples of each gradation was to be compacted by standard compactive effort (AASHTO T-99) and the other at modified compactive effort (AASHTO T-180). The seven sources and their identification codes are as follows:

1. Martin - Marietta (59)
2. Hopkinsville Stone (150)
3. Nally - Hayden (112)
4. Harrod - Carter (51)
5. Reed Crushed …

Correlation Of Road Rater And Benkelman Beam Deflections, Robert C. Deen, Gary W. Sharpe, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Benkelman beam is commonly used to measure surace deflections of highway and airfield pavements. The Benkelman beam is based on a simple lever-arm principal and uses dial guages to measure surface deflections under an applied axleload. The Road Rater is an electro-hydraulic testing device that applies a sinusoidal force to the pavement at a fixed amplitude and frequency: surface wave velocities are measured and electronically integrated to obtain surface deflections. Road Rater and Benkelman beam deflections have been successfully simulated using elastic theory and the Chevron N-layer computer program. The analyses presented in this paper illustrate relationships between Road …

Aggregate Shape And Skid Resistance, James H. Havens, Donald C. Newberry Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Natural sands and sands manufactured by crushing larger parent materials are characterized and service tested. Singular attributes are usually confounded with other variables in service tests. Dry-bulking tests and photomicrography are used to established qualities. High-stability porous mixtures are achieved in laboratory tests. Crushing some materials to coarse chip sizes leaves many smooth facets on particles that then tend to become oriented horizontally in the pavement surface. Open-graded friction courses and sprinkle treatments are included. Damage by winter freezing of porous courses is illustrated.

Pavement Testing -- Before And After An Overlay, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A pavement scheduled for an overlay of 76 mm (3 inches) of asphaltic concrete on one half the project and 178 mm (7 inches) on the other half was tested and evaluated at two sites for each thickness of overlay. Precise elevations were obtained on 0.305-m (1-foot) intervals across the pavement. The Road Rater and Benkelman beam were used to determine the in-place behavior of the pavement before and after construction of the overlay. Prior to placement of the overlay, the pavements were cured to determine actual layer thicknesses, and in-place CBR tests were performed to determine actual subgrade conditions. …

Implementation Of Road Rater Deflection Testing For Pavement Evaluation And Overlay Design, Gary W. Sharpe, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Road Rater deflection data were used to estimate the in-place subgrade strength and the in-place structural capacity of existing pavements. Pavement behavior can be expressed in terms of a reduced thickness of "reference" quality paving materials or as a reduced modulus of elasticity for the constructed thickness of asphaltic concrete. Mathematical relationships were developed making it possible to "program" the evaluation procedure (in modular form) for use with small hand calculators or minicomputers.

The pavement evaluation method has been successfully implemented in making recommendations for overlay designs for several pavement sections. Road Rater deflection data were used to estimate the …

Propagation Of Traffic Noise, Kenneth R. Agent, Charles V. Zegeer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The effects of various traffic, ground cover, and geometric conditions on traffic noise propagation were evaluated in this study. There were two general methods of data collection. The first used as many as four sound-level meters and graphic-level recorders to take simultaneous recordings of the traffic stream; the second method involved a constant noise source using a random noise generator.

The L₁₀ noise level reduction per doubling of distance increased substantially when the traffic volume was less than 1,000 vehicles per hour. Wind speed and direction had a large effect on noise propagation. Ground cover also had a definite …

Development Of A Thickness Design System For Bituminous Concrete Pavements, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A pavement provides a functional surface for safe operation of a vehicle. The operator or passenger of a vehicle does not particularly care about the material from which the pavement structure is constructed. However, they are sensitive to such factors as speed, safety (skid resistance), and comfort (roughness). One aspect of pavement design is the selection of the thickness of the pavement and its various components sufficient to support vehicular loadings and to transfer those loadings through successive layers of the pavement - surface, base, and subgrade - to the soil on which the pavement rests. The structural design of …

Evaluation Of Pavement Tape As Lane Delineation, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study involved the field testing of four types of pavement tapes, all manufactured by the 3M Company. The tapes evaluated included Scotchlane, Stamark Removable, Stamark, and an experimental tape. The experimental tape had an extremely high initial reflectivity but poor durability, which would preclude use in its present form. The remaining tapes exhibited good durability when used as lanelines and edgelines. The Scotchlane tape exhibited the best long-term reflectivity. The Stamark tape does not provide sufficient reflectivity and could not be used in areas where delineation would be critical. The Stamark Removable tape was easily removed manually after one …

Identification, Analysis, And Correction Of High-Accident Locations In Kentucky, Charles V. Zegeer, Kenneth R. Agent, Ronalds L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The first step in the highway safety improvement process involves reporting and summarizing accidents by location. Once the high-accident locations are identified, field investigations and analysis follow. Locations are ranked on the basis of potential for accident reduction. Safety improvements are then scheduled and implemented. Finally, improvements are evaluated in terms of accident reduction.

This report compiles, in detail, the process involved in arriving at safety improvements in the high-accident spot-improvement program. References are made to information and methodologies developed in earlier reports by the Division of Research of the Kentucky Department of Transportation. Most of the background information and …