Engineering Commons^™

Application Of Gravity And Intervening Opportunities Models To Recreational Travel In Kentucky, Kenneth D. Kaltenbach

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Weekend outdoor recreational travel has a major impact on the highway network in Kentucky. Data from a previous study (1) indicate that the number of people visiting 42 typical Kentucky outdoor recreation areas on an average summer Sunday in 1970 was approximately 260,000. Most of these 42 areas, by virtue of their outdoor nature, are located in rural settings. Most have access to major arterial highways only by means of narrow, low standard rural roads. Traffic generated by the recreation areas and their associated developments severely strains these secondary access highways and places a significant additional load on the rural …

Rheological Response Of Asphalts, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The rheological response of asphalt cements to shearing stresses is presented. The behavioral characteristics were measured using a rotating coaxial cylinder viscometer. Little or no development of theory is presented.

The viscoelastic portion of deformation is discussed in terms of the creep function. Plastic deformation is described using the definitions of apparent and plastic viscosities. Curves showing the effects of temperature, stress level and penetration on these two major components of strain are presented and discussed. Analysis indicated that plastic deformation is the predominant component of strain and, thus, should be considered and incorporated in the design of flexible pavements.

Construction, Protection And Maintenance Of Concrete Bridge Decks, Ronald D. Hughes, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report presents an historical account of deterioration in reinforced concrete bridge decks. Preventative maintenance treatments to both new and in-service decks are discussed. Repair methods are included. The major forms of deterioration are listed and causative mechanisms are discussed. Potential design and construction remedies are presented for consideration.

Unstable Embankment: Us 119 Harlan-Pineville Road Stations 1260 To 1265, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In January I972, an in-depth investigation of an unstable embankment, Figure 1, on US 119 near Station 1262+00 was initiated. The site is approximately five miles southwest of Harlan and near Wilhoit. Figures 2 and 3 show a plan view and a typical cross-section, respectively. US 119 travels on a tangent from Station 1252+16 to 1255+54 in a northerly direction. From that point, the roadway gradually curves four degrees to the east, becoming tangent again near Station 1275+00. At about Station 1258+00, the roadway emerges from a cut, and near Station 1266+00 it reenters a small cut. Between the latter …

Skid Resistance Of Pavements [July 1972], Rolands L. Rizenbergs, James L. Burchett, Cass T. Napier

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Standard pavement types and experimental surfaces on roads throughout Kentucky were evaluated in terms of skid resistance and effects of traffic, wear, and polishing. Friction-vs-speed gradients and the relationships between locked-wheel and incipient friction were determined. Class I bituminous pavements on high-speed, four-lane roads were found to be significantly more skid resistant than on two-lane highways and somewhat more skid resistant than concrete surfaces (especially those containing calcareous gravel aggregates). Sand-asphalt surfaces containing significant proportions of limestone sands showed inadequate level of friction for the traffic sustained. Several experimental sand asphalts without limestone sands exhibited greater skid resistance; Kentucky rock …

High-Intensity Reflective Materials For Signs, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The intuitive need for improved sign legibility has increased through the years as traffic volumes, speeds and roadway designs have advanced. Because of increased traffic volumes, low-beam headlight illumination at night has become more imperative. Signs are being located farther from the travelled lanes; higher speeds are requiring messages to be more legible at greater distances (for driver decision and response). Recent studies have indicated that even Engineering Grade (2200 and 3200 Series) Scotchlite or materials designated as Type I, Class A in S.P. No. 89-A, may be inadequate for some signing situations. Signs may be made larger and(or) incorporate …

Proposed Remedies: Unstable Embankment At Mile Post 188 And Channel Erosion At Mile Post 190-191; I 64, Boyd County, David R. Houchin, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Department became aware of fill slippage on I 64 some 300 feet east of mile post 188 during the summer of 1967. In September of that year Mr. L. E. Richardson, Division of Maintenance, and Mr. Gordon D. Scott, Division of Research, made an inspection of the area. Mr. Scott reported cracking of shoulder, movement of the guard rail, and a failure in the berm along the toe. However, subsequent inspections showed the slip to be stabilizing by itself until late in 1970 when some additional movement was observed. In January of 1971, the most conspicuous pavement failure was …

Traffic Controls For Maintenance On High Speed Highways, William M. Seymour

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Observations were first made at lane closures on interstate highways where yellow warning signs were erected routinely in conjunction with contract work. Later data provided direct comparison between new yellow and new orange signs. One sign scheme was used throughout the study. Driver obedience improved when new signs of either color were used; this finding implies that signs should always be maintained in good condition. Orange signs were slightly more effective than yellow signs in reducing traffic conflicts and merges near the traffic cones. The results of the study tend to support the adoption of orange as the standard color …

Expansive Limestone Aggregate In A Concrete Pavement, James H. Havens, Assaf S. Rahal

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Recurrent blowups and surface cracking are common symptoms of distress in concrete pavements. Premature appearance of distress symptoms is alarming because the materials used in the concrete become suspect. Criteria for design, quality of materials, and construction are necessarily re-evaluated. Indeed, a dutiful effort to discover the cause(s) and to provide future safeguards is reasonably expected.

The analysis of causative factors besetting I 65-1(13)13 was complicated by an intuitive notion that blowups and surface cracks might be separate and independent problems. The crack pattern resembled the configuration of the wire mesh -- which was vibrated into position after the concrete …

An Operational Analysis Of The I 64, I 65, I 71 Route Junction In Louisville, Jerry G. Pigman, William M. Seymour, Kenneth R. Agent, Don L. Cornette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kennedy Interchange in Louisville is the most geometrically complicated of any in Kentucky; it is the junction of three interstate routes, I 64, I 65, and I 71. The many diverging, weaving, and merging movements demand a driver's attention. One merging situation collapses into an impasse during peak-hour traffic. This study is responsive to certain inquiries by the Department concerning safety and possible discovery of design deficiencies at this interchange. It was not intended to be an in-depth study but rather an exploratory identification of problems and their locations; more comprehensive studies, by others, would ensue if needed. The …

Comparative Evaluation Of Raygo 404 Vibratory Roller, Jerry D. Ross, Herbert F. Southgate, Donald C. Newberry Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Roller evaluations are rather phenomenological -- that is, one must rely somewhat on observations. Density measurements following each excursion of the compactor may not relate directly to the work done in compressing the layer. When no increase in density is realized, no work is accomplished. Work is defined here in the classical sense. Energy expended without producing an increase in density is wasted. Thereafter, the only way additional classical work can be done on the layer is to reduce density.

The number of excursions necessary to achieve an acceptable or comparable density generally reflects efficiency of the compactor. Much may …

Degradation Of Limestone Aggregate During Construction, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Twelve construction projects were sampled at the plant, from the spreader box, after spreading, and after compacting. Laboratory tests including gradation analysis, ball-mill wear tests, Atterberg limits, and specific gravity were performed to determine changes in gradations. Kentucky limestones are very hard, high quality aggregates, with no significant degradation characteristics under current construction practices. On a given project, the construction procedure did not cause any significant degradation. Amongst projects, variances can be significant; however, this is attributable to the variation in initial gradations on the different projects.

Noise Pollution And Abatement: A Review Of Literature, Kenneth R. Agent, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Complaints concerning traffic noise and possibly seismic vibrations emanating from highways would probably have been adjudicated on the basis of common law doctrines pertaining to "nuisances", "common enemy'', and ''power of relief" were it not for recent legislation and regulations directed toward protection of the total environment. In effect, "freedom from noise" has been added to the clean water, clean air, clean earth policies. Surely each of those policies are founded on public sentiment.

There have been a few instances where the Department has yielded relief because of traffic noise. Now safeguarding regulations seem inevitable.

In the past, this Division …

Stress Histories Of Bridge Members From Scratch Gage Records, Ronald D. Hughes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report describes the use of scratch gages for obtaining strain histories of bridge members. Basic components of the gage are designated and its operation is described in general terms. Stress histories, deduced from strain records, for various members of three bridges obtained through use of the gages are presented. A procedure for use in replicating sections of deteriorated members is described.

Bridges: Synthesis Of Load Histories And Analysis Of Fatigue, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Repeated stressing of metals above certain limits induces inter- and intra-crystalline dislocations and cleavages and eventually cracks which propagate to failure. Some authorities consider crack propagation to be a separate and discrete stage in the failure process. The internal damage is insidiously cumulative and irreversible. This phenomenon was recognized as early as 1829 and was termed fatigue as early as 1839(1). From the beginning of fatigue testing (Wohler, 1858-1870), results have been reported as S-N, S-log N, or log S-log N curves, where N is the number of repetitions of stress S. From a structural design point of view, …

Chronological Listing Of Research Reports, Division Of Research, Kentucky Department Of Highways

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Experimental Overlay Of Glazon Over Two Bridge Decks, Assaf S. Rahal, A. B. Blankenship

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In accordance with a Personal Service Agreement entered into with the Glazon Industries, Inc., on July 2, 1971, the two subject decks were patched and overlayed with Glazon. On July 27, 1971, work started on RP 106-286-HG3, KY 395 bridge over I 64 in Shelby County. Work consisted of routing old concrete and sandblasting the surface (Figures 1 and 2). State personnel and equipment were used for all cleaning operations. The same procedures were followed to clean HM 99-1324A-MB3 in Powell County near Clay City.

On July 28, 1971, Glazon personnel and equipment arrived at the work site in Shelby …

Subject Listing Of Research Reports, Division Of Research, Kentucky Department Of Highways

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Pavement Roughness Measurement And Evaluation, Rolands L. Rizenbergs, James L. Burchett, Larry E. Davis

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Vertical accelerations of a passenger in an automobile are automatically summed while traveling a section of road at 51.5 mph. A roughness index is obtained by summing the accelerations and dividing by the time elapsed during the test. The index is subjectively related to the riding quality of pavements. Continuity in measurements since 1957 has been preserved through correlations among successive vehicles involved and reference pavements.

In general, bituminous construction has yielded smoother-riding surfaces than concrete construction. No major improvements in construction were noted on bituminous pavements since 1962. The ride quality of concrete pavements, however, has improved on those …

Kentucky Pavement (Bituminous) Performance Evaluations And Design Studies, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Durability Of Traffic Paint On Portland Cement Concrete Pavements, Assaf S. Rahal

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Performance of a series of transverse lines applied to a relatively new concrete pavement, utilizing primes and pretreatments, is reported. The report includes descriptions of the location of test lines and types of paint and pretreatments, performance histories, and analysis of results. Chlorinated rubber, epoxy, and urethane paints were the most durable. Neither pretreatment nor the use of primes significantly increased durability.

Grooving Pavement Centerlines For Lane Demarcation, William M. Seymour

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In late June 1969, the Kentucky Department of Highways contracted to have experimental, longitudinal centerline grooves, 15 feet long at 80-foot intervals, cut into both sets of dual lanes of a 2.7-mile portion of I 71 in Carroll County. When the centerline was painted in an otherwise normal way, the skip lines were alternately on grooved and ungrooved surfaces. The roadway was opened to traffic on July 15, 1969. An interim performance report contained detailed information on the test site, grooving procedures, groove configuration, initial striping efforts, and preliminary evaluations of the relative effectiveness of the grooved stripe. The purposes …

Operational Characteristics Of Lane Drops, Don L. Cornette

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A lane drop is defined as a location on a highway where the number of lanes provided for through traffic decreases. For purposes of this study, the broad category of lane drops has been further subdivided into three specific classes: lane exits, lane splits, and lane terminations. These subdivisions are illustrated schematically in Figure 1. A lane exit refers to a location where the number of through lanes decreases at an interchange on a multilane roadway. A designation of lane split denotes a major fork of a multilane highway where the level of traffic service provided at the terminus of …

Aggregate Shape And Skid Resistance, Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report concerns further efforts toward the measurement and analysis of the relative influence of aggregate shape on pavement skid resistance. A simple test method for determining aggregate shape in a meaningful way with respect to skid resistance is included. Proposed specifications for skid-resistant, sand-asphalt surface and skid-resistant, Class I, Type A, Modified, bituminous concrete surface containing lightweight aggregate are introduced.

Experimental Guardrail Installation, R. L. Musgraves, Gordon R. Garner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This is the final report on a limited investigation comparing the performance of painted steel, galvanized steel and aluminum guardrails. A previous report was issued in 1964. The final inspection of the project was made in November 1969.

The project consisted of approximately 2500 lineal feet of each type of guardrail (see Figure 1 and Table 1). The painted steel and galvanized steel were installed in November 1962. The aluminum guardrails were installed in February 1963. All rails are the deep-beam type and were installed in accordance with special provisions which covered material requirements and erection procedures. The special provisions …

Influence Of Recreational Areas On The Functional Service Of Highways, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Development of outdoor recreational facilities in Kentucky has generally been in predominately rural areas. Access to these areas from the primary highway network is often provided by existing low-standard local roads. The recreational travel demand often exceeds the design volumes of these local roads or the volumes that can be accommodated at reasonable levels of service. Such travel demand also constitutes a significant portion of the total demand on the rural primary network, particularly during the peak weekend periods.

Many large reservoirs in Kentucky have generated extensive developments of recreational facilities in the surrounding areas. Highways which have been displaced …

Summary Of Pavement Surface Texture Measurement Methods, Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This tabular summary represents an expanded version of a draft prepared under the direction of Prof. Bob M. Gallaway of Texas A & M University. The table was compiled from a literature survey conducted during spring 1970. A survey of all states and agencies engaged in quantitative measurements of surface texture would be helpful for updating and finalizing the table. In the meantime, any comments or suggestions concerning any of the tabular entries or other methods of surface texture measurement should be addressed to Dr. J. G. Rose, Research Engineer, Division of Research, Kentucky Department of Highways, 533 South Limestone, …

Summary Of Pavement Surface Texture Measurement Methods, Kentucky Department Of Highways

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This tabular summary represents an expanded version of a draft prepared under the direction of Prof. Bob M. Gallaway of Texas A & M University. The table was compiled from a literature survey conducted during spring 1970. A survey of all states and agencies engaged in quantitative measurements of surface texture would be helpful for updating and finalizing the table. In the meantime, any comments or suggestions concerning any of the tabular entries or other methods of surface texture measurement should be addressed to Dr. J. G. Rose, Research Engineer, Division of Research, Kentucky Department of Highways, 533 South Limestone, …

Hot-Mix Coal-Tar Concrete Pavement, Donald C. Newberry Jr., Jerry G. Rose

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The principle objectives of this research were:

1. To compare the economics and performance of coal tar to asphalt cement;
2. To develop reliable coal-tar construction specifications;
3. To familiarize personnel with coal-tar construction; and
4. To implement Section 201, Subsection d and e, of the Appalachian Regional Development Act of 1965.

To accomplish these objectives, a 6.6-mile experimental section utilizing coal-tar (RT-12) concrete base and surface and 5.1-mile and 5.7-mile control sections utilizing asphalt (PAC-5) concrete base and surface were placed on relocated KY 15 in Perry, Knott, and Letcher Counties during the 1969 and 1970 construction seasons. The pavement consisted of an …

Experimental Installations Of Impact Attenuation Devices, Bruce S. Siria, William M. Seymour, Don L. Cornette, James L. Miller

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The expanding system of limited access, multilane highway facilities in the United States has enhanced traffic service between many varied origins and destinations. As a result, these facilities have not only reduced travel times and travel costs, but have generated additional travel by virtue of their technological splendor. The increasing dominance of multilane highways in terms of percentage of total vehicle miles travelled has produced a revolution in highway engineering philosophy. Higher design speeds, increased lane widths, lateral separation of opposing traffic streams, absence of passing restrictions, and increased traffic capacities were attributes intuitively sought. An ironic result is the …