Improving Design and Construction of Transportation Infrastructure through Bedrock Characterization

This study evaluates a comprehensive experimental investigation to better understand the mechanical and deformation behavior of Wyoming bedrocks and therefore to improve the design and construction of transportation infrastructure. Fifty-six rock samples were collected from different locations around the state of Wyoming, including different rock types, formations, geologic ages, and depths. The prominent rock types are sandstone, shale, siltstone, claystone, and other less common rock types that represent three geological types: igneous, sedimentary, and metamorphic. Geotechnical investigation and rock sampling were performed to obtain standard rock cores with a diameter to height ratio of 1:2 for laboratory testing. A series of uniaxial and triaxial compression, porosity, and specific gravity tests were conducted on these samples, and the results in terms of Mohr-Coulomb failure parameters, Hoek and Brown failure parameters, and elastic properties were analyzed in this study. Findings of this research includes conducting regression analysis for the dataset in order to establish prediction equations that relate bedrock strength and deformation properties and the failure behavior of bedrocks depending upon rock geology and other contributing factors. Finally, recommendations were provided based on the experimental results that will facilitate the design and construction of transportation infrastructure in Wyoming.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=1106
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/65769
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/71866
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/67549
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This document was sponsored by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Department of Civil & Architectural Engineering and Construction Management
  Laramie, WY  United States 

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Department of Mathematics & Statistics
  Laramie, WY  United States 

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ng, Kam
  • Khatri, Lokendra
  • Alomari, Esraa
• Publication Date: 2022-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 98p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Bedrock; Compression tests; Failure; Geotechnical engineering; Rock mechanics
• Geographic Terms: Wyoming
• Subject Areas: Bridges and other structures; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01868564
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC 22-480
• Contract Numbers: MPC-632
• Files: UTC, NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT
• Created Date: Dec 27 2022 9:44AM