Improving the Foundation Layers for Concrete Pavements
Quality pavement foundation layers are essential to achieving excellent pavement performance. In recent years as truck traffic has greatly increased, the foundation layers have become even more critical to successful pavement performance. Unfortunately, there are still many pavement failures in the U.S. related to inadequate subbase, natural subgrade, and embankment (commonly referred to as foundation layers or roadbed). Factors that contribute to pavement foundation problems are believed to be poor construction practices, ineffective quality control/quality assurance (QC/QA) testing methods and sampling plans, material variability and unpredictable long-term material behavior, poor verification of material properties during construction, insufficient development of performance-related specifications, and low capital investment in the foundation layers. The objective of this research is to improve the construction methods, economic analysis and selection of materials, in-situ testing and evaluation, and development of performance-related specifications for the pavement foundation layers. The outcome of this study will be conclusive findings that make pavement foundations more durable, uniform, constructible, and economical. Although the focus of this research will be portland cement concrete (PCC) concrete pavement foundations, the results will likely have applicability to asphalt cement concrete (ACC) pavement foundations and, potentially, unpaved roads. All aspects of the foundation layers will be investigated including thickness, material properties, permeability, modulus/stiffness, strength, volumetric stability and durability.
- Record URL:
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Completed
- Funding: $875000
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Contract Numbers:
TPF-5(183)
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Sponsor Organizations:
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590Colorado Department of Transportation
2829 W. Howard Place
Denver, CO United States 80204California Department of Transportation
1227 O Street
Sacramento, CA United States 95814Iowa Department of Transportation
800 Lincoln Way
Ames, IA United States 50010Michigan Department of Transportation
Van Wagoner Building
425 W. Ottawa Street
Lansing, MI United States 48909Pennsylvania Department of Transportation
Keystone Building
400 North Street
Harrisburg, PA United States 17120Wisconsin Department of Transportation
PO Box 7910
4802 Sheboygan Avenue, Room 104
Madison, WI United States 53707-7910 -
Managing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research and Education
2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
Ames, IA United States 50010-8664 -
Project Managers:
Clute, Khyle
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Performing Organizations:
Center for Transportation Research and Education
2711 South Loop Drive, Suite 4700
Ames, IA United States 50010-8664 -
Principal Investigators:
Miller, Kelly
Roesler, Jeff
Dawson, Andrew
Vennapusa, Pavana
White, David
Cackler, Thomas
- Start Date: 20090315
- Expected Completion Date: 0
- Actual Completion Date: 20201231
- Source Data: RiP Project 42092
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Durability; Foundations; Pavement layers; Pavement performance; Paving; Permeability; Portland cement concrete; Subbase (Pavements)
- Uncontrolled Terms: Pavement thickness
- Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01570503
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
- Contract Numbers: TPF-5(183)
- Files: RIP, USDOT, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Jul 22 2015 1:02AM