Low-Cost Rural Surface Alternatives: Demonstration Project

The goals of this project were to implement several stabilization methods for preventing or mitigating freeze-thaw damage to granular surfaced roads and identify the most effective and economical methods for the soil and climate conditions of Iowa. Several methods and technologies identified as potentially suitable for Iowa were selected from an extensive analysis of existing literature provided with Iowa Highway Research Board (IHRB) Project TR-632. Using the selected methods, demonstration sections were constructed in Hamilton County on a heavily traveled two-mile section of granular surfaced road that required frequent maintenance during previous thawing periods. Construction procedures and costs of the demonstration sections were documented, and subsequent maintenance requirements were tabulated through two seasonal freeze-thaw periods. Extensive laboratory and field tests were performed prior to construction, as well as before and after the two seasonal freeze-thaw periods, to monitor the performance of the demonstration sections. A weather station was installed at the project site and temperature sensors were embedded in the subgrade to monitor ground temperatures up to a depth of 5 ft and determine the duration and depths of ground freezing and thawing. An economic analysis was performed using the documented construction and maintenance costs, and the estimated cumulative costs per square yard were projected over a 20-year timeframe to determine break-even periods relative to the cost of continuing current maintenance practices. Overall, the sections with biaxial geogrid or macadam base courses had the best observed freeze-thaw performance in this study. These two stabilization methods have larger initial costs and longer break-even periods than aggregate columns, but counties should also weigh the benefits of improved ride quality and savings that these solutions can provide as excellent foundations for future paving or surface upgrades.

• Record URL:
  http://www.intrans.iastate.edu/research/documents/research-reports/low-cost_rural_surface_alternatives_demo_w_cvr.pdf
• 
• Summary URL:
  http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/intrans_reports/125
• Summary URL:
  http://lib.dr.iastate.edu/intrans_techtransfer/77
• Summary URL:
  http://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/20128
• Summary URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/29073
• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/29072
• Corporate Authors:

  Iowa State University, Ames

  Institute for Transportation
  Ames, IA  United States  50010-8664

  Iowa Department of Transportation

  Iowa Highway Research Board, 800 Lincoln Way
  Ames, IA  United States  50010
• Authors:
  • Li, Cheng
  • Ashlock, Jeramy C
  • White, David J
  • Vennapusa, Pavana
• Publication Date: 2015-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 242p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Before and after studies; Demonstration projects; Economic analysis; Freeze thaw durability; Geogrids; Gravel roads; Highway maintenance; Macadam; Pavement layers; Road construction; Rural highways; Soil stabilization
• Geographic Terms: Iowa
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I26: Water Run-off - Freeze-thaw; I30: Materials; I60: Maintenance;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01570321
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: IHRB Project TR-664, InTrans Project 13-479
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jul 21 2015 9:37AM