EXPLOSIVE TREATMENT TO CORRECT SWELLING SHALES PROJECT I 70-1(61)

This report describes the testing, construction, and two years of performance evaluations of the explosive treatment of swelling shales under a highway cut. Actively swelling Mancos Shale has caused maintenance problems in this section of I70 North of Grand Junction since its construction in 1964. The low level explosions disorient the bedded shale and lower its density similar to treatment by sub-excavation and recompaction at approximately one-fifth the cost. Following wetting, regrading, and repaving, this cut section has shown no significant swelling or settlement in the two years since construction. Monitoring will continue for three to five years to determine the long term performance of this treatment for swelling shales.

• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado Department of Highways

  4201 East Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • LaForce, R F
• Publication Date: 1981-8

Media Info

• Pagination: 24 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Monitoring; Performance; Shale; Swelling soils
• Old TRIS Terms: Explosive treatment
• Subject Areas: Construction; Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics; I51: Earthworks and Soil Drainage;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00453649
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/CO-81-8
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: May 31 1988 12:00AM