Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

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 …

The Engineer Speaks: Memoirs Covering Five Decades Of Highway Problems In Duval County, Arthur Neyle Sollee Sr

Arthur N. Sollee, Sr. Textual Materials

Published in 1982, this book details the history and problems creating the Jacksonville we know today. PALMM.

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 …

Design Guide For Bituminous Concrete Pavement Structures, James H. Havens, Robert C. Deen, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

To determine pavement thicknesses from design charts and tables, it is necessary to know only the EAL's (equivalent axle loads), the CBR of the subgrade soil, and the modulus of elasticity of the bituminous concrete. Charts permit selection of pavement structures employing alternative proportions of bituminous concrete and crushed stone base. Total thickness varies according to the proportions chosen. It is implicitly intended that the selection of alternative structures be based on engineering considerations, such as 1. estimates of comparative construction costs, 2. compatibility with cross section template and shoulder designs, 3. uniformity or standardization of design practices, 4. highway …

Analysis Of Time-Deflection Consolidation Data, E. Gregory Mcnulty

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A computerized statistical curve-fitting algorithm has been developed for determining the time-dependent properties of conventional (load-incremental) consolidation test data. Analytical models of the graphical methods developed by Taylor and Casagrande and of the Naylor-Doran method of successive approximations determtne values for the coefficients of consolidation, permeability, and the values of deflection corresponding to the begimltng and endtng of primary consolidation. The coefficients of volume change and secondary compression are also calculated. A modified statistical definition is used to select the linear portions of the data curves and is applicable to other data-fitting problems. After the Naylor-Doran method has been used, …

Structural Capacity Of In-Place Asphaltic Concrete Pavements From Dynamic Deflections, Herbert F. Southgate, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The proper design of asphaltic overlay thicknesses involves four major factors; the in-place modulus of the subgrade, an estimate of the structural capacity of the existing pavement, estimates of the future traffic expressed as equivalent axleloads and required or desired design levels, and a thickness design procedure. This paper deals with estimating the in-place subgrade modulus and the remaining load-carrying capacity of the existing pavement. The method presented herein is valid for any Road Rater or other dynamic tester such as the Dynaflect. This procedure was based upon a 600-pound (272.4-kg) peak-to-peak dynamic load applied at a rate of 25 …

Identification Of Kentucky Shales, Tommy C. Hopkins, Brian C. Gilpin

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Results obtained from a series of engineering tests performed on 40 different types of shales are summarized and discussed. Both hard and soft shales, as well as shales having well-documented histories of involvement in highway embankment failures and shales having little known involvement, were tested. A major portion of the report examines the suitability of the slake-durability tests, originally devised by Franklin-Chandra of England, as a means of broadly characterizing the engineering properties of Kentucky shales. Results obtained from ten different slake-durability testing procedures, which include procedures proposed by Franklin and Chandra and others as well as procedures devised during …

Evaluation Of Rumble Strip Design And Usage, Jerry G. Pigman, Michael M. Barclay

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to investigate the following aspects of rumble strips: the optimum height and width of elements in a rumble strip pattern, spacing between them, the effect of grouping elements into sets, the effects of speed on design criteria, and driver reaction to the audible and physical stimuli produced by rumble strips. A survey of design and usage in other states was conducted; and the results show that even though 35 of the 44 responding states have installed rumble strips, only five have warrants for usage.

Two types of rumble strip design were evaluated -- one …

Evaluation Of Watertight Bridge Expansion Joints, Wm. Vernon Azevedo

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Engineers have long recognized the importance of bridge expansion joints. The inadequacy in design of such joints has also been realized. Proprietary products are now available which may eliminate well-documented problems associated with bridge expansion.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the field performance of such products.

Vehicle Noise Emission Levels In Kentucky, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of this study were to update individual vehicle noise data taken in previous years in Kentucky and to determine reference mean energy emission levels for Kentucky vehicles for use in the SNAP 1 noise prediction procedure.

Comparison of Kentucky and nationwide emission levels showed a close agreement for medium and heavy trucks; however, automobile noise levels in Kentucky were higher than nationwide levels. An analysis of emission levels of the various vehicle types showed that a fourth category, light trucks, may need to be added. The Kentucky emission levels were input into SNAP 1 in place of the …

Identification And Rehabilitation Of High-Risk Drivers, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report deals with the identification and rehabilitation of high-risk drivers. Methods used to identify negligent drivers were examined. Kentucky's point system was compared to those tn other states. The consequences of drivers attending driverimprovement clinics were studied by analyzing driving records.

The analysis showed that accident involvement was directly related to the accumulation of penalty points and number of violations. Definite relationships were found between several specific types of violations and accidents.

A very significant improvement in driving records was noted for those drivers who completed a driver-improvement clinic; however, a similar improvement occurred for drivers eligible for the …

Ohio River Suspension Bridges: An Inspection Report, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

For many years, suspension bridges have been employed to economic advantage where long uninterrupted spans were required. While they have been supplanted for most common applications by cantilever and arch bridges in the United States, suspension bridges are a valid design type. Two American suspension bridges have been in service for over 100 years. A new form of suspension bridge, the cable-stayed bridge, is widely used in Europe and is expected to be as popular in the United States.

The key to the success of suspension bridges lies in the use of high-strength wires that are consolidated into the main …

Traffic Accidents In Kentucky (1978), Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Highway locations having an abnormal history of accidents should be identifiable in some way. Average and critical accident numbers and rates must be known for similar locations. Averages have been determined previously for rural highways, but it is necessary to update those numbers and to determine rates for urban areas. A detailed picture of traffic accidents in Kentucky in 1978 is presented.

Average rates in terms of accidents per 100 million vehicle-miles (160 million vehicle-kilometers) were calculated for various classifications of rural and urban highways. Also, average rates in terms of accidents per million vehicles were determined for 0.3-mile (0.48-km) …