Civil and Environmental Engineering Commons^™

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.

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, …

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 …

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, …

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 …

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 …

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 …

Settlement Of Highway Bridge Approaches And Embankment Foundations, Tommy C. Hopkins

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The nature and causes of the differential settlement between a bridge deck and the adjoining highway pavement have been studied by only a few investigators. Highway engineers often attribute this fault in the riding surface to the settlement of the embankment because of the improper placement and compaction of material in the approach embankment. Although there exists suggestive evidence that this condition produces the bridge approach fault, no conclusive evidence has been presented which shows this to be the primary source of settlement. Jones (1), Bishop (2) and Deen (3) suggest that differential settlement between the bridge deck and approach …

Flexible Pavement Design Criterion, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Our recent report on "Rational Analysis of Kentucky Flexible Pavement Criterion," November 1968, presented theoretical treatments of current design curves – which enabled transformation of the current curves into companion sets of curves embodying alternative proportions of bituminous concrete and dense-graded aggregate base. We are privileged now to submit additional analytical information and to offer recommendations for revising the present design criterion.

Hot Mix Sand Surfacing, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Everyone has some compassion toward drivers who become victims of pavement slipperiness. The development of slipperiness on a road surface follows one of the laws of nature. Why not, then, employ other laws provided by nature to better advantage? For example, craftsmen use grinders, abrasives, buffers, etc. to achieve glossy surface finishes. Traffic does the same to our pavements. We might employ craftsmens' routine in reverse -- that is, roughen the surface. Better still, the principles that are apparent in a grinding wheel or whetstone may be used as a model for our pavement surface: a material of hard, abrasive …

Rational Analysis Of Kentucky Flexible Pavement Design Criterion, Herbert F. Southgate, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

Rational criteria for the structural design of pavements are emerging from classical theories equated to the observed behavior of real pavements. Pavement behavior is known to be affected by traffic, variations in soil support, and variations of component thicknesses. Considerable attention has been devoted to the mechanistic response of pavements to static and dynamic loads and to the development of theoretical design procedures, which rely, in part, on the computation of certain critical stresses, strains, and(or) deflections in the structure. A computer program (1) for the elastic analysis of multilayered pavement systems has enabled an extensive investigation of the effects …

Proposed Experimental Design And Construction Features, Kentucky Department Of Highways

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

PURPOSE AND OBJECTIVES: The experimental features proposed in connection with this project are three-fold: the first pertains to subsurface drainage of the pavement system, the second pertains to the feasibility of constructing full-depth, asphaltic concrete pavement sections directly on subgrade material -- rock or soil; the third pertains to the structural design and performance of pavement sections employing designated substitutions of bituminous concrete dense-graded aggregate base.

Landslides In Kentucky, Robert C. Deen, James H. Havens

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The reoccurrence of certain features of landslides in Kentucky suggests that the difficulties in the State can be readily classified. Because of this repetitive nature, one can be alerted to the possibility of slides in certain situations early in the planning and design stages of the facility to be constructed. Thus, the traveling public might be spared the inconvenience illustrated in Figure 1. Enough cannot be said concerning the necessity for having adequate soils and geological information concerning possible routes for highway locations, and a review of a number of landslides in Kentucky suggests that there are certain troublesome geologic …

Discussion On Skid Resistance Of Pavement Surfaces, Rolands L. Rizenbergs

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

The concern for adequate skid resistance or friction of pavement surfaces is confined to wet weather conditions. Dry pavements are highly skid resistant unless the surface contains loose material, such as gravel, sand, etc., which could provide rolling action by the particles under the tires. Surface contaminates, such as oil, soft tars and asphalt, etc., could also provide lubrication to the surface and create a slippery condition. Normally, however, water is the lubricating agent reducing pavement friction and in some cases creating very hazardous driving conditions. Another situation of concern is drainage, or lack of proper drainage, of the pavement. …

I-75 Kenton County Slide, Herbert F. Southgate

Kentucky Transportation Center Research Report

No abstract provided.