Engineering Commons^™

Development Of An Electronic Means Of Weighing Vehicles In Motion, Ben W. Carr Jr., Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An in-stream weighing platform was designed and installed in the eastbound lane of I 64 and 75 near Lexington, Kentucky. The broken-bridge scale platform was designed with the outer edges of the two sections supported on hinges and contiguous edges supported by two 20,000-pound capacity load cells. The assembled scale measures 4'-6" x 10'-1/2" with a total weight of about 2,000 pounds.

The electronics developed for the system included digitizing circuitry which processed the load cell signals and recorded the data on digital magnetic tape. Computer processing of the field data produced tabular information on vehicle speed, axle spacing, number …

Experimental Concrete Pavement Containing Fly-Ash Admixtures [1971], James R. Philpot

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The report enclosed is somewhat routine inasmuch as it documents a repeat of a portion of an earlier experimental project. The previous project was on Poplar Level Road; our final report was dated July 1966 (KYHPR-64-1). Special Provision No. 70 was used also on the Jefferson Freeway project. However, there was no "control section" involved in the current project. The Jefferson Freeway project was authorized by the BPR under P.P.M. 60-2 only (now PPM 20-6.3).

The most significant findings from both projects concern the water requirements the concrete containing the fly-ash admixture. Whereas laboratory tests indicated reasonable expectations of a …

Operational Effects Of Auto-Utility Trailer Combinations On Rural Highways In Kentucky, Bruce S. Siria

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An analysis of accident records indicated that A-UT combinations are involved in a disproportionately high number of traffic mishaps. Locations which have a history of accidents involving A-UT vehicles indicated that differential crosswinds and unanticipated driving maneuvers contribute to driver loss of control. A-UT combinations contributed to the fatigue loss in pavement life approximately 50 percent as much as single-unit, two-axle, six-tire trucks (per vehicle). In general, this vehicle type constituted approximately three percent of the total traffic stream. Analysis of speed distributions indicated an equivalency factor for A-UT combinations equal to that for trucks for similar roadway types and …

Establishment Of Wood Plants On Roadsides (Southeastern Kentucky), Samuel E. Whitaker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Recommendations for woody plant materials to be used in direct seeding are given on the basis of the plant's ability to regenerate from roots and natural seedings. Species are recommended for each of the relief and drainage subdivisions of the study area, southeastern Kentucky. Plant information on recommended native species has been summarized to provide basic data relevant to or needed by the highway landscape designer in selecting native plant combinations to be used in direct seeding.

Relationship Between Soil Support Value And Kentucky Cbr, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Three slightly different correlations between Kentucky CBR's and the AASHO Road Test soil support values were developed. The first relationship was made by assuming a logarithmic scale between Kentucky CBR's of 5.2 and 100, which corresponded to values on the soil support scale of 3 and 10, respectively. The Kentucky CBR of 5.2 was determined by performing tests on the AASHO road subgrade soils. For practical purposes, the AASHO Road Test crushed stone base material was assumed to be a "100 percent CBR material" (this assumption was based on CBR data previously reported by Shook and Fang). The second correlation …

Statistical Quality Control Of Highway Construction And Materials, J. B. Venable

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this report is to review existing local practices used in establishing and enforcing highway specifications and construction processes and to compare these practices. With procedures based on statistical quality control concepts. In order that statistical quality control concepts may be properly used where applicable, the first part of this report considers the general theory underlying the use of statistical control methods and the development of different types. Of acceptance plans which may be used in the highway construction industry. The second portion of the report is concerned with analyzing and comparing Kentucky's current specification requirements with typical …

Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A sampling-type crack survey was made in July 1969; 200 feet in each 1000 feet were sampled. The average interval between cracks was 5.78 feet. Paving was completed in late 1968. The average crack interval in July 1970 was 4.14 feet. The 1970 survey was also a sampling type.

It is apparent that cracking approached maturity or equilibrium during the first year. Apparently, too, most of the cracking occurred during the first few weeks after construction – which suggests curing shrinkage as a contributory cause. A discussion of the significance of time and temperature will follow the presentation of other …

Evaluation Of Cored Specimens From Timber Caisson Beneath Pier No. 2 Of The Us 25 Bridge Over The Ohio River Between Covington And Cincinnati, James H. Havens, Assaf S. Rahal

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Pier No. 2 of the former C&O Bridge at Covington is off-shore from the Kentucky side of the Ohio River. It was built in 1887. In 1927, this pier was extended downstream to support a new railroad bridge. The other three piers remained independent. The original structure was then converted to highway use and was purchased by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1937. In 1968, an engineering analysis of the superstructure indicated critical deficiencies in terms of "safety factors", and the bridge was closed to all traffic. Subsequently, various plans for reconstruction came under consideration. Of greatest significance here is …

Development Of Specifications For Reflex-Reflective Materials, Ronalds L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Evolutionary changes in highway design, automobiles and retro-reflective products prompted Kentucky to undertake a study to update specification requirements for signing materials, delineators and coating compounds. The study was primarily concerned with geometric relationships between the driver, headlamps and traffic signs; investigation of reflectivity, color, durability and other properties of available reflective materials; adoption of testing apparatus to measure material properties; and development of test procedures.

A review of specific sign viewing conditions on the road indicated the appropriateness of reflectivity testing at 0.5-degrees and 0.2-degrees angles of divergence. These angles, however, limit examination of materials at viewing distances in …

Experimental Sand-Asphalt Surface, Robert L. Florence, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Wearing surfaces of Kentucky rock asphalt applied in thin layers were used extensively in Kentucky for many years. Sand asphalts, which generically include rock asphalt, are now a reemergent generation of surfacings to be investigated (1,2,3). An interim report (4) related the construction and interim performance of trial surfacings in Logan County. Two bridge deck sand-asphalt surfacings have been reported (5). This report covers sand-asphalt construction and performance since 1966. Pertinent project data and comments are contained in Appendix A. The several Special Provisions are included in Appendix B.

Interest in sand-asphalt wearing surfaces issues from the skid-resistant qualities which …

Replication Of Eye-Bars And Measurement Of Losses In Cross Section Due To Corrosion, Assaf S. Rahal, J. R. Philpot

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Recent availability of high pressure water blasters made it possible to remove rust accumulated between the eye-bars near pin connections on the Central Bridge (Figure 1) over the Ohio River at Newport. Previously, they had never been thoroughly cleaned. Cleaning of two connections on a trial basis enabled an inspection between the bars. It was apparent then that the deterioration was critical enough to necessitate examination of the several bar groups and to accurately measure their least cross sections.

The Research Division undertook the task of replicating and measuring the bars. Figures 2 and 3 show one set of bars …

Median Design And Accident Histories, Gordon R. Garner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this study was to provide information concerning the accident histories of various median types to verify minimum requirements for width and cross section. Previous accident studies failed to disclose significant relationships between median width and accident rates. Those studies did not recognize or control several important variables that were controlled in the present study. The efforts here are to compare median types on rural, four-lane, fully controlled access facilities with similar geometries other than median types. An attempt was made to account for some of the Variability in the accident data. Thus, this study gives information on …

Legal Aspects And Guidelines Pertaining To Drainage Of Surface Waters, D. W. Mclellan Jr., Victor Fox

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A previous study ("Research Relating to State Highway Laws", reported January 1967) afforded us an opportunity to review a vast array of literature and statutory law pertaining to enabling legislation and administrative authority to construct and maintain highways. It was surprising to find that the statutes are void of guidance on certain subjects: there are great "bodies" of unwritten or non-statutory laws which are referred to as "common law" and "civil law", which are deeply rooted in the past; many are doctrinal or equitable; many are extraordinary and argumentative -- they should not be confused with Civil Procedure. They have …

Pavement Slipperiness Studies, James L. Burchett Jr., Ronalds L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Studies of pavement skid resistance in Kentucky have been in progress since 1956. In 1964, an extensive investigation into the use of an automobile as a testing tool was undertaken and an interim standard method of test was selected. Since then, investigations with the device have continued, both to facilitate meaningful interpretation of skid-test data and to evaluate the skid resistance performance of pavement surfaces.

Variables associated with the testing device, procedures and pavement surfaces were investigated. Several paving projects were tested to determine the number of sites required to obtain a representative result. It was found that on most …

Slurry Seal Maintenance Applications, Robert L. Florence, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A slurry seal mixture consists of graded fine aggregate (normally minus 3/8-inch material), mixing grade emulsified asphalt (SS-1 or SS-lH), and water. The water is added to aid in mixing and to provide a free-flowing consistency so that the mixture can be spread in thin layers on the surface of an existing pavement. After the mixture is spread, the water evaporates and the remaining material, aggregate and base asphalt, forms a thin seal on the pavement surface which resembles a fine-grained asphaltic-concrete surface. As a result of the free-flowing consistency and the fineness of the aggregate, a slurry mixture readily …

Final Performance Report On Experimental Use Of Thermoplastic Pavement-Striping Materials, Assaf S. Rahal, Ronald D. Hughes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This study was undertaken in order to: 1) evaluate the performance of thermoplastic striping materials, 2) compare their performance on both portland cement concrete and bituminous concrete pavements to that of conventional traffic paints, and 3) to evaluate the economics of thermoplastics in terms of cost per mile per day of useful life. The performance of two brands of thermoplastic striping materials and conventional traffic paints applied at nine test sites in both rural and urban areas is reported herein. Application procedures, site locations, repair histories and materials specifications are included. Accumulative costs for each material at all sites for …

Freeze-And-Thaw Phenomena In Concretes And Aggregates, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes several years of research relating to damage to concrete and aggregates undergoing freezing and thawing. Basic principles involving freezing and attendant pressures are considered. Application of these principles to the evaluation of concrete was accomplished in experiments on concrete having low and high air contents. The effects of air entrainment upon freeze-thaw resistance were demonstrated.

Freeze-thaw characteristics of saturated aggregates relative to their physical properties such as porosity, absorption and bulk specific gravity were studied by submerging individual particles in pre-chilled mercury. Pressures associated with popouts in concrete were monitored and are presented along with accompanying theoretical …

An Investigation Of Low-Strength Concrete And Resulting Structural Failure In A Bridge Deck, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This investigation concerns the discovery of weak concrete in a portion of the deck of the Elkhorn City bridge, APD 640(4), within a year after it was opened to traffic. The deck concrete was placed between April 14 and June 14, 1968. The bridge serves heavy coal-trucks traffic. Failures occurred in the eastern-most span (No. 5) in April or May of 1969, Undoubtedly, the heavy loading contributed to early disclosure of defective concrete.

A preliminary investigation was made in May 1969, and reported by memorandum May 21, 1969. The bottom third or half of concrete in the affected portion, Span …

Locating And Tracing Seepage Water In Unstable Slopes, Yasin A. Alkhoja, Gordon D. Scott

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

With the increase in modern highway construction, the occurrence of landslides has been growing proportionally due to the use of deeper cuts and higher fills. It has been observed that landslides on highways often occur in fills on hillsides. Accumulation of water in the embankment, usually seeping from a nearby hill, may reduce the shear strength of the embankment soil and result in failure at a later time. Many landslides on Kentucky highways have occurred a few years after construction and obviously have been caused by the gradual weakening of the embankment due to a damming and accumulation of water. …

Slip-Form Paving, Kerry P. Magan

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The proper placement, consolidation, and finishing of low-slump concrete without the aid of pre-erected side, forms has been widely acclaimed as an economical and effective procedure in the construction of portland cement concrete pavements. This construction procedure, commonly referred to as slip-form paving, depends upon the ability of low-slump concrete to remain in place after consolidation and removal of forms.

Slip-form pavers differ from conventional pavers in that no fixed side forms are required inasmuch as the slip-form paver has side forms that advance with the machine. Concrete is merely deposited on the prepared subgrade in front of the machine, …

An Investigation Of Core-Strengths Of A Portland Cement Concrete Pavement, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This investigation concerns observed differences between the strengths of molded cylinder and beam specimens and the strength of concrete in situ. The specific project is a section of I 64 in Rowan County [I 64-6(15)130]. The paving was done between August 19 and September 27, 1968. Cylinder specimens molded on the project were tested after they had cured 28 days. Beam specimens were tested before they had cured 14 days. Those test results were "normal". However, cores taken to measure thickness of the pavement were subsequently tested for strength; and the pavement cores, even though older when tested, yielded strengths …

Weighing Vehicles In Motion [1969], University Of Kentucky Research Foundation

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An agreement between the Kentucky Department of Highways and the University of Kentucky Research Foundation, dated March 15, 1969, extended and continued research on Weighing Vehicles in Motion. The agreement contained these objectives of the continuing research:

"The services provided by the FOUNDATION shall be within the scope of the objectives outlined in the original proposal and made a part of the original contract (Research Project KYHPR-61-27, Development of an Electronic Means of Weighing Vehicles in Motion, a part of the DEPARTMENT'S Work Program, HPR-1, Part II). The research shall consist of, but not limited to, the following:

A. Furnishing …

Engineering Geognosy Of Warren County, Jerry G. Pigman, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Engineering soils and geologic maps are proving to be invaluable to engineers, industrial leaders, community planners, and administrators during the preliminary stages of planning and site selection. Quantitative engineering data on soils and geological formations, and the interpretation of these data, are important factors to consider in developing the best land-use plans and providing stable foundations for highways, buildings, and other structures, such as dams. Information of this type, when available, is being used by public and private organizations in planning urban development. Engineering soils and geologic maps can be used to great advantage in four major ways by planners …

Grooving Pavement Centerlines For Lane Demarcation, Ronald D. Hughes, Gordon R. Garner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Lane demarcation is conventionally accomplished by use of white traffic paint placed as a skip line. Most traffic paints are beaded by premixing glass beads in the paint, by drop-on applications, or a combination of the two. The retrodirective properties of the beads greatly enhance nighttime visibility during dry weather; however, visibility of the lines is practically nil during wet nighttime driving. Submerged beads cannot redirect the light when the need for guidance is mosL critical. Thermoplastic striping materials have been used to varying degrees of success by numerous agencies. Wet nighttime visibility of thermoplastics, as experienced in Kentucky, is …

Selected Features Of Kentucky Geology From Lexington To Pineville, Herbert F. Southgate, Tommy C. Hopkins, Gordon D. Scott

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky has been disturbed by two major catastrophic events. The major portion of the state was upheaved to what is referred to as the Cincinnati Anticline, and erosion has resulted in forming of several physiographic regions, four of which will be traversed on this trip--namely, the Inner Blue Grass region, the Outer Blue Grass region, the Knobs, and the Eastern Coal Fields. The second major catastrophic event was the Appalachian folding, of which the Pine Mountain Overthrust and its faulting affects the southeastern Kentucky area.

The Inner Blue Grass region contains the lowest exposed geologic formation in Kentucky which is …

Engineering Geognosy Of Boyd County, Tommy C. Hopkins, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Engineering soils and geologic maps are proving to be invaluable tools of engineers, industrial leaders, community planners, and administrators during tbe preliminary stages of planning and site selection for major construction projects and the development of plans to use nature's basic resource--the land. Quantitative engineering data for soils and geological formations, and the interpretation of tbese data, are important factors to consider in the best land-use plans and in providing stable foundations and proper usage of earth materials for highways, buildings, and other earth structures. Engineering soils and geologic maps can be used to great advantage by planners and engineers …

A Preliminary Evaluation Of Mounds To Divert Wayward Vehicles Away From Rigid Obstructions, Gordon R. Garner, J. B. Venable

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In the summer of 1965, the first fatality report involving an interstate median bridge pier in Kentucky caused concern among state and national officials for the safety of motorists who perchance or otherwise enter upon a collision course toward an unprotected bridge pier. A consensus of opinion seemed to indicate that some form of attenuation or deflection device was necessary.

Early innovations employed various short guardrail configurations to deflect wayward vehicles from the piers. The use of small, short sections has since evolved until present methods include surrounding the bridge pier with several hundred feet of guardrail, including ramped-end treatment …

Accidents At Median Crossovers, Gordon R. Garner

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Safety improvements are often controversial subjects, especially when the subject is highways. Judgments must be made weighing lives and injuries against the hard realities of financing the construction and maintenance of highway systems. Median crossovers on rural and urban freeways and expressways are controversial design features. State police and maintenance forces claim that median crossovers are necessary and essential for their work and that more frequent location of crossovers is desirable. Engineers involved with highway safety maintain that crossovers create accidents, are not necessary, and should be eliminated. When working on an accident study evaluating median type, it became obvious …

Lateral Distribution Of Traffic On A Four-Lane And Six-Lane Section Of I 75 South Of Covington, Robert L. Lynch, Gary N. Hamby

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

With the increased construction of multilane highway facilities in the past few years, the need for establishing corresponding design and traffic operational criteria for these highways has resulted. This is especially true for rural, multilane facilities, since few of these highways are not, as yet, operating at a critical level of traffic service.

One area of traffic operational characteristics that has received very little attention in the past concerns the distribution of vehicles by lane on multilane highways. The capacity for these highways have been defined by the one-directional traffic volume rather than by the individual lane volumes. The distribution …

The Bump At The End Of The Bridge, Tommy C. Hopkins, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The nature and causes of the differential settlements between a bridge deck and the adjoining highway approach pavement have been the subject of an increasing number of investigations in recent years. This settlement of the highway approach pavement not only presents a hazardous condition to rapidly moving traffic, but creates a rough and uncomfortable ride. These defects of the pavement surface require costly maintenance and, where a heavy traffic flow exists, the maintenance operation may tend to impede the normal flow.

Bridge abutments in Kentucky are usually founded on relatively a stable foundation such as rock or point-bearing piles to …