Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Allocation Of Highway Costs And Revenues, Jerry G. Pigman, John A. Deacon

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A continuing task related to highway financing is determination of the appropriate level of taxation for each class of highway user. Cost allocation in various forms has traditionally been the tool used to achieve an equitable assignment of user responsibility. Following is a summary of results from such a cost-allocation study undertaken by the University of Kentucky's Transportation Research Program. The objective of this study is to determine highway cost responsibility of various user classes and to assess revenues relative to costs under existing levels of taxation and under various alternatives considered in the 1988 legislative session.

Evaluation Of Procedures For Testing Aggregates, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes findings of a research study conducted to evaluate aggregate testing procedures as related to aggregate soundness and durability. The objectives of the study were to determine a suitable replacement or modification of Kentucky's existing Sodium Sulfate Soundness Test for aggregates which would more accurately reflect in-service performance of concrete pavements and bridges, to correlate freezing and thawing durability data and other test data with sodium sulfate soundness data, and to develop a rational implementation criterion for use of new or modified testing procedures.

There were no observable correlations between the various test methods evaluated and the Sodium …

Evaluation Of Stability And Rutting Potential Of Asphaltic Concrete Using Big-Stone Gradations, David L. Allen, Hossien Roghani

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Considerable interest has been generated in recent years in using big stone gradations to reduce rutting and shoving in asphaltic concrete. This report documents mix design procedures and a laboratory testing program to determine the stability and rutting potential of a big-stone gradation. A series of creep tests was performed on a big-stone gradation and the results were compared to creep tests performed on a Class I base mixture. The big-stone mix average approximately 50 percent rutting potential as compared to the Class I base. One creep specimen of the big-stone mixture was compacted using polymer-modified AC-20 grade asphalt cement. …

Evaluation Of Ads Polyethylene Pipe, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Construction and performance evaluations of ADS Polyethylene Pipe N-12 are presented. Construction procedures and visual inspection data are included. The pipe appears to be performing well.

Long-Term Evaluation Of The Acoustic Emission Weld Monitor, Theodore Hopwood Ii

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The Kentucky Transportation Research Program conducted an extended 10- month evaluation of the Acoustic Emission Weld Monitor (AEWM) in a bridge fabrication shop. That device was used to detect welding flaws during typical production of butt-welds on flanges and webs used in steel bridges. A total of 153 welds were monitored.

AEWM test results were compared with visual inspection and double- blind results of conventional nondestructive testing routinely conducted on the welds. The AEWM did not miss any flaws detected visually or by nondestructive testing. Three AEWM flaw indications were confirmed by conventional nondestructive testing (radiography).

A large number of …

Review Of Work Zone Literature, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A literature search was conducted with the objective of identifying sources of information related to safety in highway work zones. Included is an annotated bibliography of 165 references. From the references, a list of recommendations were made to improve safety in highway work zones. The recommendations were organized into the six categories listed below.

1. Flagging
2. Delineation
3. Traffic Control Devices
4. Accidents
5. Design
6. Policy

Earthquake Hazard Mitigation Of Transportation Facilities, David L. Allen, Vincent P. Drnevich, Mostafa Sayyedsadr, L. John Fleckenstein

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Concern has grown in recent years, over the seismic activity of the New Madrid seismic zone located in the central United States. Western Kentucky is located in this region. To permit emergency medical, supply, and equipment traffic into this area after an earthquake has occurred, the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet is interested in the possibility of keeping selected routes passable. This report lists the routes that have been investigated and recommended as being routes that should be maintained in passable conditions. These recommended routes have been visually surveyed and all seismically significant features cataloged. These features are listed in the Appendix. …

Shear Strength Of Compacted Shales, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Some basic physical and engineering properties of a broad range of different types of shales located in Kentucky are examined. Physical testing included liquid limit, plastic limit, specific gravity, particle-size analysis, natural water content, and jar-slake determinations. These tests were performed on some forty different types of shales selected from various geological formations of different periods. Geological periods included Recent, Cretaceous, Tertiary, Pennsylvanian Mississippian, Silurian, Ordovician, and Devonian. Engineering tests included slake-durability, bearing ratio, consolidated-undrained triaxial compression tests with pore-pressue measurements, moisture-density relationships, well deflection and pressure, mineralogy, and Shore sclorescope. Ten different slake-durability testing procedures, including the original procedure …

Evaluation Of Unmanned Radar Installations, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent, John A. Deacon, Richard J. Kryscio

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Several unmanned radar devices were installed on I75 in northern Kentucky in an attempt to reduce speeds. It was assumed that drivers use radar detectors to exceed the speed limit with a resulting variance between their speeds and others in the traffic stream. Therefore, a reduction in overall speeds and variance was expected to reduce the probability of accidents. Historical data indicated an unusually high accident rate for the study area.

Emphasis was placed on collection and analysis of speed-related data. In addition, a survey of radar detector usage was made and accident patterns were documented.

Speed measures analyzed included …

Traffic Volume Estimates And Growth Trends, John A. Deacon, Jerry G. Pigman, Ahmad Mohsenzadeh

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to develop a procedure to forecast highway traffic volumes through the use of growth factors representative of Kentucky highways and reflecting effects of important socioeconomic and demographic variables. A two-stage modeling process was used. In the first, linear regression models were used to relate average daily travel on Kentucky roadways to personal income, price of fuel, and total miles of streets and highways. In the second, cross-tabulation models were used to relate growth in volume at a specific site--expressed relative to the statewide ADT--to highway functional classification rural/urban location, county population growth, SMSA/non-SMSA designation, …

Native Aggregates For Skid Resistance, Scott P. Hall, David Q. Hunsucker, David L. Allen, Gary W. Sharpe

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objectives of the study were 1) to identify sources of native aggregates with varying histories of skid resistance performance; 2) to evaluate and correlate native aggregate characteristics, processing techniques, and other factors with skid resistance and surface mixture performance; and 3) to provide guidelines for implementation of research findings. Limestone, sandstone, river gravel, and control aggregates (granite, traprock, and slags) were subjected to a battery of tests to determine physical relationships between aggregate type and skid resistance.

Laboratory results were analyzed for correlations among themselves and for correlations with skid number data obtained from pavements containing aggregates involved in …

Breaking And Seating Of Rigid Pavements, Gary W. Sharpe, Mark Anderson, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Breaking and seating has been utilized extensively in Kentucky to rehabilitate portland cement concrete pavements. Experience over three or four years with this type of design and construction are summarized and reported. Breaking to a range of nominal fragments is evaluated. Evaluation of two roller weights for seating is reported. The use of dynamic deflections to evaluate the effectiveness of the breaking and seating process and to measure the appropriateness of the asphaltic concrete overlay.

Evaluation Of Wick Drain Stabilization Of Approach Fill Foundation (Bullitt County), Bobby W. Meade, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The purpose of this study was to document the construction procedures and evaluate the effectiveness of wick drains as a foundation stabilization method. Field data was primarily obtained from field surveys and penumatic piezometers installed in the approach foundation.

Construction procedures used have been determined to be generally acceptable. The wick drains appear to have effectively dewatered the foundation during embankment construction.

Evaluation Of Asphalt Additive -- Chemkrete, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen, Gary W. Sharpe, Scott P. Hall, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Construction, performance, and cost-effectiveness evaluations of an AC-10 treated with Chemkrete (CTI-101) and an untreated AC-20 are presented. Laboratory tests, and field tests which include marshall stability, density test, repeated load test, road-ratter deflection data, and visual observation are summarized.

Because of the apparent failure of Chemkrete to significantly enhance the performance of the pavement, and the additional cost for the use of Chemkrete, it would not be recommended for further use in the state of Kentucky.

Modifications To Chevron N-Layer Computer Program, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, David Cain, Jesse G. Mayes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents changes made to the Chevron N-layer computer program to:

1. Include superposition principles.
2. Calculate strain energy density (or work) at specified locations within the pavement structure.
3. Analyze pavement response at specified radii from one circularly loaded area to permit comparison of analyses by the program as originally written with results incorporating superposition principles.
4. Evaluate pavement response to any combination of loads on circular areas defined by XY coordinates on the surface. Loads and contact pressures are permitted to be different from one loaded area to another, but must be constant for any one loaded area.
5. Simulate dynamic loads …

Laboratory Analysis Of Failed Asphaltic Concrete Surface -- Us 23, Lawrence County, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Laboratory analyses of a failed asphaltic concrete surface are presented. Construction procedures, mix design data, density tests, repeated load tests, asphalt extraction tests, and gradation tests are summarized.

Pavement Designs Based On Work, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Thickness design curves presented in the report provide a systematic methodology for the selection of equivalent pavement designs for a broad range of layered systems. This is a unified system since the failure criteria are founded on the same concept of work strain and work. The analyses of stress-strain fields in the layered systems are based on elastic layered theory. This theory is represented by the Chevron N-layered computer program.

The report also summarizes the historical development and evolution of pavement design in Kentucky.

Reliability Assessment Of High-Risk Steel Bridges By Nondestructive Test Methods, Theodore Hopwood Ii, Vishwas G. Oka, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Fatigue-crack related failures of high-risk (fracture-critical) steel bridges may be prevented through application of nondestructive tests (NDT). Economical reliability assessment of those structures requires 1) application of a suitable NDT method, 2) testing of fatigue-susceptible members, and 3 ) periodic retests of those members to preclude problems with growing or previously undetected flaws.

Six conventional NDT techniques were tested in the laboratory using buttweld configured specimens having intentionally embedded cracks. Those NDT methods were 1) visual inspection, 2) magnetic-particle testing, 3) dyepenetrant testing, 4) florescent-enhanced surface testing, 5 ) eddy-current testing, and 6) ultrasonic testing. The other NDT methods provided …

A Survey Of States' Aggregate Soundness Specifications And Test Methods, David Q. Hunsucker

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes findings of a national survey to determine aggregate durability test methods and specification requirements of the various states. Also included are specifications and test methods concerning allowable shale contents in aggregates and requirements for percentages of crushed particles in aggregates.

Self-Flushing Fluid Seal Assembly, David T. Kao

Civil Engineering Faculty Patents

A self-flushing fluid seal assembly is provided to prevent particle intrusion into the main seal around a slurry pump shaft. The assembly includes an annular tube concentrically disposed about the pump shaft and forming a chamber. The volume of the chamber is made variable by a plunger comprising an enlarged diameter portion of the pump shaft movable relative to the chamber during the power and return stroke of the pump. Flushing liquid is delivered to the chamber by means of a feed line extending through the shaft. A check valve provided in the feed line opens to allow the inward …

Analysis Of Accident Data In Kentucky (1982-1986), Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky has a systematic procedure to identify locations that have abnormal rates or numbers of accidents. This procedure utilizes average accident rates and numbers. A primary objective of this study was to determine average accident statistics in Kentucky. An annual safety program for Kentucky, which includes the identification, programming, budgeting, and evaluation of safety projects, is prepared each year. The data presented in this report may be included as the problem identification portion of Kentucky's Annual Highway Safety Plan.

Average and critical accident rates were calculated by highway type for rural and urban highways. A summary of results and recommendations …

A Chronicle Of The Kentucky Transportation Research Program, Robert C. Deen, Ronald D. Hughes

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The basis for the Kentucky Transportation Research Program (KTRP) was established more than 45 years ago and some of the current staff members have over 35 years experience in transportation research. Over the years, principal investigators have developed expertise in major areas of transportation and have made significant contributions in highway safety, pavement design and performance, embankment analyses, fatigue detection in bridges, noise abatement, traffic control and operations, voidless concrete, pavement texture and skid resistance, structural design and analyses of culverts, traffic forecasting, and numerous other areas.

The Transportation Research Building houses several fully equipped laboratories. Special effort was made …

Acoustic Emission Monitoring Of In-Service Bridges, Theodore Hopwood Ii, David W. Prine

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

An experimental acoustic emission (AE) device, the GARD Acoustic Emission Weld Monitor (AEWM), has been field tested on six bridges during this study. In addition, the device was used to test three other bridges under separate contracts from state highway agencies. The device was evaluated to determine if it could detect fatigue-crack growth on in-service steel bridges.

The AEWM employs a proprietary three-step model (filter) to reject noise-related AE activity and detect and locate defects subject to varying stress conditions. The unit uses built-in microprocessors to compare incoming data to the model. If defect-related AE activity is detected, the AEWM …

Evaluation Of Epoxy Thermoplastic Pavement Marking Material, Kenneth R. Agent, Jerry G. Pigman

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The objective of this study was to evaluate the field performance of epoxy thermoplastic (ETP) as a pavement marking material and to compare it to a control marking material, which was alkyd traffic paint. A test installation of ETP along with the regular traffic paint was placed on KY 841 in Jefferson County and evaluated over an 18-month period. Data collection consisted of daytime observations and rating of the material's appearance and durability and nighttime observations and rating of its nighttime visibility. Reflectivity measurements were also collected using a portable retroreflectometer.

The appearance (color) of the ETP remained good over …

Performance Survey Of Silicone-Sealed Concrete Pavement Joints, David Q. Hunsucker, Edgar E. Courtney

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report summarizes field inspections of various silicone-sealed concrete pavement joints. A list of silicone sealant projects was provided by the Kentucky Transportation Cabinet. Observations of performance were subjective and qualitative.

Construction And Performance Evaluation Of A Geocomposite Pavement Edge Drain Including Comparison With A 4-Inch Pipe Drain, L. John Fleckenstein, David L. Allen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Construction and performance evaluations of Hydraway Drain and Conventional Pavement Edge Drain are presented. Construction procedures, laboratory tests, and discharge data, are included.

Implementation Of A Pavement Management Program In Lexington-Fayette County, Kentucky, Gary W. Sharpe, Robert C. Deen, Ronald R. Sewell

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Lexington, in central Kentucky, is the second largest city in the state. Local government is by a mayor and council of elected representatives from twelve districts and three at-large representatives. The Department of Public Works headed by a Commissioner, who reports to the mayor and city-county council, administers the streets and roads system.

The street and road network in Lexington consists of approximately 720 centerline miles. Approximately 100 miles are rural in nature and 620 miles are urban. Approximately 95 percent are bituminous surfaced roads; a majority of the remainder is constructed of portland cement concrete.

Increasing costs for constructing …

Road Base Construction Utilizing Coal Waste Materials, David Q. Hunsucker, Gary W. Sharpe, Jerry G. Rose, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The paper describes the development and implementation of a no-cement concrete mixture containing pulverized fuel ash (PVA) and atmospheric fluidized bed combustion (AFBC) by-products as the cementitious components for combination with conventional limestone aggregates used as bulk filler. The paper presents a summary of laboratory evaluations and the application of those results to the design of a base for roadway construction. The paper also describes the construction, evaluation, and performance of a pilot application of this material used as a base for a thin bituminous pavement.

Performance Evaluation Of Breakaway-Cable-Terminal End Treatments, Jerry G. Pigman, Kenneth R. Agent

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report included an analysis of 110 accidents involving breakaway-cableterminal (BCT) end treatments and 36 accidents involving median-breakaway-cableterminal (MBCT) end treatments as used in Kentucky. The primary data base consisted of Kentucky accident records for the years 1980-87; with a few accidents that were identified before 1980. An attempt was made to document each accident with a police report, photographs, and a maintenance repair form.

Results revealed that the breakaway-cable-terminal end treatment performed properly in 73 percent of the accidents when all three configurations of end treatments were combined (simple curve, parabolic flare, and straight). Proper performance was defined as …

Allocation Of Resurfacing Monies To Highway Districts In Kentucky, Rolands L. Rizenbergs, Robert C. Deen

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Allocation of resurfacing and rehabilitation monies began in 1967 with the separate funding of a resurfacing program. Pavement projects for resurfacing and rehabilitation were selected more often than not on the basis of politics and arbitrary (i.e., without the benefit of analysis of good inventory and condition data) judgments of decision makers. With the gradual introduction of more adequate roadway inventory and annual condition data, the formula for the allocation of funds has been gradually revised, updated, and improved so there is now a more logical and equitable distribution of funds.

With the formation of a pavement management staff in …