Field Performance Evaluations of Illinois Aggregates for Subgrade Replacement and Subbase—Phase II

The project objective was to validate the results from ICT Project R27-1, which characterized in the laboratory the strength, stiffness, and deformation behaviors of three different aggregate types commonly used in Illinois for subgrade replacement and subbase applications, through accelerated loading of full-scale pavement working platform test sections. Six different test “cells” were constructed at different combinations of aggregate material quality and subgrade strength, and were tested to failure using the University of Illinois Accelerated Transportation Loading Assembly (ATLAS). Each cell was tested along two different wheel paths representing two different aggregate layer moisture contents (Cells 1-5), or geotextile reinforcement conditions (Cell 6). Performances under loading were monitored through surface profile measurements as well as transverse scanning with ground-penetrating radar (GPR). Field and laboratory test results highlighted the importance of considering aggregate quality in the thickness design of aggregate layers for construction platforms. Thick layers of uncrushed gravel placed over a weak subgrade mainly underwent internal shear failure due to excessive movement of the aggregate particles. Crushed aggregate layers constructed with high relative compaction, on the other hand, showed significantly higher resistance to internal shear deformation and permanent deformation accumulations. Prolonged exposure to moisture and freeze-thaw effects was found to be beneficial for a crushed dolomite material with high amounts of nonplastic fines probably due to carbonate cementation within the fine fraction. Failure of test sections under flooded conditions was primarily caused by excessive deformation in the subgrade layer. Recommendations were made based on the study findings for improved material selection and thickness designs of aggregate working platforms.

• Record URL:
  • https://apps.ict.illinois.edu/projects/getfile.asp?id=3081
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  205 North Mathews Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352

  Illinois Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Physical Research
  126 East Ash Street
  Springfield, IL  United States  62704-4766

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Mishra, Debakanta
  • Tutumluer, Erol
• Publication Date: 2013-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 186p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Accelerated tests; Aggregates; Deformation; Materials selection; Mechanistic-empirical pavement design; Pavement performance; Properties of materials; Subgrade (Pavements); Test sections
• Uncontrolled Terms: Working platforms (Road construction)
• Geographic Terms: Illinois
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I36: Aggregates; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01481076
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-ICT-12-021, UILU-ENG-2012-2024
• Contract Numbers: R27-81
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 9 2013 9:05AM