Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

Observations Of The Manufacture And Placement Of Prefabricated Bridge Sections And Precast Concrete Riprap, Dave H. Sawyer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The design and equipment necessary in precast concrete operations has progressed in recent years to such an extent that the resulting products are now being used satisfactorily in many types of construction. This report covers two precast concrete products which the Department of Highways authorized in contracts let in 1954 and 1955. These items however, are not the first precast concrete products to be used by the Department. Two concrete bridges are known to have been precast and placed in Scott and Graves County sometime ago. Precast concrete cribbing has also been used for quite some time.

Observations Of Stabilized Turf Shoulders, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The improvement of highway shoulders, from the standpoint of appearance and practical value, has been and is at present of considerable interest to all highway departments. A great deal of effort has been expended in the past to develop grass combinations which not only will prevent natural erosion of the surface materials but also impart a pleasing appearance to shoulders and slopes. Attempts to include factors of practical value, such as safe support of traffic loads, have greatly magnified the problem. Numerous types of paved shoulders have been introduced which are quite satisfactory with respect to load bearing but are …

Report No. 2 On A Study Of Runoff From Small Drainage Areas And The Opening In Attendant Drainage Structures, Eugene M. West, William H. Sammons

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Performance Of Kentucky (Natural Sandstone) Rock Asphalt, James H. Havens, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Since about 1948, the performance of natural rock asphalt, used extensively in Kentucky and Indiana, has been plagued by a unique type of scaling in the wheel tracks of each traffic lane. This scaling has been typically an eighth to a quarter of an inch thick and has left the pavements rough and unsightly. In some cases, this phenomen has occurred several times in the same place and has caused much deeper rutting. The general condition is illustrated in a series of photographs attached hereto.

Observations On The Constitution And Characterization Of Paving Asphalts, James H. Havens, W. F. Daniels

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This paper contains results of analyses with asphalts of various composition and derivation. The objective of the study is to define and correlate constitution and fundamental character of asphalts in a manner significant to their use in highway pavements.

Further confirmation of the existence of three discrete solubility fractions in asphalts was obtained by extraction methods and by paper partition chromatography. Paraffin bodies were revealed by microscopic examination of thin films. Asphaltene fractions showed the presence of particulate material by electron microscopy and also revealed indications of peptized asphaltene bodies. Oils dialyzed from asphalt exhibited u.v. fluorescence similar to components …

Triaxial Acceleration Analysis Applied To The Evaluation Of Pavement Riding Qualities, L. E. Gregg, William S. Foy

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Traditionally the riding qualities of a pavement are expressed as some function of localized irregularities in the contour of the pavement surface. This is predicated on the fact that the portion of passenger comfort or discomfort imparted by all features of the pavement surface can not be isolated and determined separately from other influences such as vehicle characteristics or psychological and physiological aspects of the passenger himself.

Measurements of riding qualities have dealt almost exclusively with vehicle displacements in the vertical direction only, these having been and still being the most prominent and most amenable to measurement. By this procedure …

An Investigation Of The Binding Properties Of Limestone Dust, William E. Howard, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

A proper quantity of dust particles of various sizes has long been recognized as important in the construction of stone bases and pavements. Screenings for water bound macadam bases are required to contain not less than a specified amount of dust sizes, and dense-graded limestone bases have controlling limits for the dust fraction. It is generally assumed that these particles serve a dual purpose: (1) in filling void spaces created by larger particles, thus enhancing the gross structure of the aggregate, and (2) in acting as a binder material in the presence of water. Furthermore, it has been demonstrated that …

Studies Of The Suitability Of Expanded Shale Aggregate For Use In Cement Concrete, Claude M. Brown Jr., Loren H. Strunk, Dave H. Sawyer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Expanded shale is one of several artificial lightweight aggregates currently used in the production of lightweight concrete. Its use has become rather widespread through recent improvements in production techniques, mix designs, placement methods, and air entrainment. However, various types of lightweight concrete as such is not of recent origin, having been used in this country for more than a half century.

Expanded shale aggregates are produced by heating a suitable shale to the point of fusion. Gases within the shale expand and thus form thousands of tiny air cells within the mass which are retained upon cooling and solidification. The …

Application Of Wire Mesh Reinforcement To Asphaltic Concrete Pavement Overlays, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In response to suggestions from the Wire Reinforcement Institute, the Department established during the past construction season some test sections to investigate wire mesh reinforcement in bituminous concrete. As in the case of most similar projects in other states, the intent was to determine the effectiveness of wire mesh for controlling "reflection cracking" in bituminous overlays placed on existing portland cement concrete pavement.

Inspection Of Full Depth Modified Dense-Graded Aggregate Base, Plant Mixed (Tennessee Project), William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Roughness As A Factor In Culvert Hydraulics, Eugene M. West

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In conjunction with the oral discussion of Roughness as a Factor in Culvert Hydraulics, which has been scheduled for the coming meeting of the Research Committee, I have assembled a few notes and diagrams with which you may wish to become familiar. It is intended that this material serve as a guide in a simplified approach to some of the basic considerations in the analysis of culverts, and not to be all inclusive.

An Investigation Of Bituminous Coatings And Pavements On Corrugated Metal Culverts, Eugene M. West

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The object of this inspection was to determine the efficacy of bituminous coatings and paved inverts on corrugated metal pipe and culverts installed on Rural Secondary Projects during the past few years. The study originated after earlier investigations had led to recommendations concerning the resistance of various types of pipe and culvert materials in the presence of acid-bearing waters.

Blown Mulch For Roadside Erosion Control, Jason C. Taylor

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

In May 1954, the Division of Construction brought to the attention of the Research Division the fact that an effort was being made (for the first time in Kentucky) to revise the conventional manner of applying straw mulch to a seeded right-of-way. This innovation was to be achieved with the use of a recently-invented machine known as the "Finn Mulch Spreader", which is capable of mixing a straw mulch with some adhesive substance and then blowing the mixture onto the seeded area. The intent was to achieve a reasonably homogeneous mat-like structure composed of pieces of straw attached to each …

Proposed Revision For Specification For Reflex-Reflective Materials For Highway Signs, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

There are several pertinent factors and considerations that have a direct bearing on the requirements contained in the attached Recommended Special Specification No. 50-R, and it seems appropriate to record them here as reference material either in support of the specification or as information.

Pavement Investigation: Middletown-Eastwood Portion Of Us 60, Louisville-Shelbyville Road, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The attached report dealing with a "Pavement Investigation, Middletown-Eastwood Portion of US 60, Louisville-Shelbyville Road", is submitted in response to your directive of December 16, 1953. All of the field and laboratory work on the investigation was completed under Mr. Drake's supervision prior to his temporary transfer to the Division of Design on June 1, and during the past month he has been able to spend portions of his time toward completion of the report.

Evaluation Of Traffic Paints In 1953, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the performance data obtained by the Research Labratory in connection with field service tests and laboratory tests on traffic paint samples submitted by prospective suppliers for 1954. On the basis of these data and the adjudged performance of the samples offered, invitations to bid will be issued to any or all suppliers offering worthy materials. (See Division of Purchases's Memorandum of January 7, 1953 in Appendix) Winning bidders should be bound by oath to supply the same formulation of materials as furnished in the qualifying samples, and they should be further bound by such tests and analyses …

Report No. 1 On A Water-Bound, Dense-Graded Aggregate Base, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Favorable experience with dense-graded bases containing calcium chloride created interest in similar mixtures containing only water as a bonding agent. As a result of this interest, a project for base and surface construction was set up on the Phil-Pine Grove Road in Casey County to permit study of this method of base construction. The work was carried out during the period of August to October, 1953.

The pavement, which is 11.62 mi. long, was constructed by contract. It had 2 in. of traffic-bound base (creek gravel) and appeared to be in rather uniform condition with few obviously weak areas. Courses …

Report No. 1 On Vibratory Compaction Of Macadam Base, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.

Traffic Paint Service Tests For 1954, Kentucky Highway Materials Research Laboratory

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report documents the performance data obtained by the Research Laboratory in connection with field service tests and laboratory tests on traffic paint samples submitted by prospective suppliers for 1954. On the basis of these data and the adjudged performance of the samples offered, invitations to bid will be issued to any or all suppliers offering worthy materials. (See Division of Purchases's Memorandum of January 7, 1953 in Appendix) Winning bidders should be bound by oath to supply the same formulation of materials as furnished in the qualifying samples, and they should be further bound by such tests and analyses …

Report No. 2 On A Test Road For The Evaluation Of Sandstone As An Aggregate In Plant-Mix Bituminous Pavements, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report which presents results from additional study of the Sandstone Test Road located on S.R. 30 in Magoffin and Breathitt Counties, is a supplement to Report No. 1 dated April, 1952. The project consisted of a laboratory investigation and construction of a 20-mile test road, with all the original work carried out over a period from early 1950 to November 1951.

Details concerning both laboratory and field work are contained in Report No. 1 and need not be discussed here. However, to keep the general objectives of the study clear, they are restated as follows:

1. To develop comprehensive information …

Application Of Geology To Highway Engineering In Kentucky, L. E. Gregg, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Kentucky, too, is a state where geology abounds. Little credit for this, however, lies with the highway field, because such a prosaic subject is frequently overshadowed by such features as Mammoth Cave, Sky Bridge, Cumberland Falls, Pine Mountain, and extensive underground mineral deposits. Nevertheless; the influence of geology in the highway industry is growing, and it is obvious that some potential contributions have not yet been realized.

A Combination Waterbound Macadam And Dense-Graded Aggregate Base For Flexible Pavements, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This paper is concerned with a flexible base designed primarily to improve the riding qualities of high-type bituminous pavements. Difficulties in control of grades and sections with modern methods of macadam base construction have emphasized needs for effective finishing procedures.

In the project described, an 8-in. base was built in two courses, the lower waterbound macadam being overlain by a densegraded aggregate material suitable for spreading and shaping with a power grader. The base was then surfaced with two courses of a hot bituminous plant mix.

Observations and measurements showed that the combination could be built satisfactorily; construction entailed more …

A Bank Gravel Base Containing Calcium Chloride [Report No. 2], William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Attached you will find our second progress report on "A Bank Gravel Base Containing Calcium Chloride," by W.B. Drake. This project pertains to that portion of the Paducah-Eddyville Road (U.S. 62) extending from Kentucky Dam to Kuttawa. You are quite familiar with the road having visited it in company with Mr. Bray on August 13, this year and I believe most of the members of the Research Committee are familiar with it. Discussions following presentation of Report No. 1 on the project at our meeting last April would have accomplished that, but the road is better known for the number …

A Compendium On Class I, Type C Mixes, Ellis G. Williams

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Recently the Class I, Type C Surface Mix has been the subject of numerous discussions resulting from present paving operations on Muldraugh Hill (U.S. 31W and U.S. 60) south of Louisville, and from performance of pavements placed heretofore on some Louisville Streets. Apparently, past difficulties have created some doubt about the suitability of Type C surfaces in heavy traffic areas for which it was intended. Type C does not represent the ultimate in stable mixtures, but it should be entirely adequate for the purpose intended.

A Concrete Pavement Without Transverse Joints [Dec. 1952], William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This project was last reported in January, 1951, or approximately two years ago. Three previous reports have been made. Report No. 2 was dated December, 1949, and Report No. 1 was made July, 1949. A memorandum report (for file only) covering the two 1951 inspections was made in February of 1952.

This road is a section of U.S. 31W in Simpson County designated as FI 239(4). It runs from Sta. 9-11 at the Tennessee State Line to Sta. 311-40 at the south city limit of Franklin (see layout plot). It consists of a 22-foot concrete pavement underlain by 1-1/2 inches …

The Performance Of Cold Mastic Joint-Sealing Compounds And Sawed Joints In Concrete Pavements, Dave H. Sawyer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Included in this report are observations and data on the performance of various types of crack and joint sealing materials applied to three separate concrete pavements. The factors which are considered pertinent in evaluating the respective conditions of the materials are: length of service, tightness of joint, adherence to the concrete pavement, and ductility. The three materials used on these projects were cold mastic, hot-poured asphalt rubber, and OA-2 cut back with MC-3.

A Survey Of Acidity In Drainage Waters And The Condition Of Highway Drainage Installations, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the summer of 1949, approximately one year after installation, serious corrosion failures were discovered in a series of galvanized metal entrance culverts on U.S. 60 south of Ashland near Princess. Because of a unique disparity in their performance at this location, the problem was referred to the Research Division for possible explanation. An impromptu investigation ensued, and the cause of the failure was attributed directly to acid drainage water flowing from extensive strip-mining operations within the immediate area. A report (1)* describing the attendant conditions was made to the Research Committee in December of that year.

As an outgrowth …

An Investigation Of Lean Concrete Mixes As Base Courses For Bituminous Surfaces [Dec. 1952], Dave H. Sawyer

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

During the summer of 1950, the Kentucky Department of Highways placed a lean concrete mix for base construction and widening in Montgomery County. This project was a 4.415 mile section of U.S. 60 on the Winchester-Mt. Sterling Road, and was designed as SF 87-117. Four major revisions – three alignment and one grade – were completed on the project thus requiring full-width base replacement of sections of the old pavement with the lean concrete mix.

Evaluation Of Traffic Paint In 1952, A. C. Peed Jr.

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Following the program of in-service transverse stripe evaluation coupled with laboratory study of traffic paint samples submitted by various manufacturers who propose to bid on the Departments paint requirements, field stripes were placed August 19, 1952. For this test stripes were placed in the same general location as that used the two previous years (U.S. 27 south of Lexington at the junction of the concrete and bituminous pavements). Gradings contained herein were made December 27, 1952, and thus represent a somewhat premature five-month evaluation. However, the set of stripes placed in 1951 were scrutinized since they had sixteen months of …

A Limestone-Calcium Chloride Stabilized Base, William B. Drake

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

This report is mainly concerned with the calcium-chloride stabilized portion of a combination base. A 4-inch course of waterbound macadam was placed over a 1-inch insulation course overlying an existing traffic-bound stone surface. The next 4 inches of base above, the water bound material consisted of two 2-inch layers of calcium-chloride stabilized limestone of a design not used heretofore by the Department.

Bituminous concrete binder and surface courses laid over the base brought the total mat thickness to more than 11 inches. The surface width was 30 feet, and the length of the project was 1.1 miles.

Although the road …