Evaluating Base Widening Methods

The surface transportation system forms the biggest infrastructure investment in the United States of which the roadway pavement forms an integral part. Maintaining the roadways can involve rehabilitation in the form of widening; which require a longitudinal joint between the existing and new pavement sections to accommodate the wider travel lanes, additional travel lanes or modification to shoulder widths. Several methods are utilized for the joint construction between the existing and new pavement sections; vertical, tapered and stepped joints. The main purpose of this research is to develop a formal recommendation as to the preferred joint construction method that provides better pavement support in the State of Wyoming. Field data collection of Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP), Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD), base samples for gradation and moisture content were conducted on 28 existing and 4 newly constructed widening projects. Survey of practices and preferences of other states, and constructability issues were undertaken. Costs of each joint type were compared as well. Results of the analysis indicate that the tapered joint technique showed relatively better pavement strength compared to the vertical joint type, and could be the preferred joint construction method. The vertical joint has an 18% increase in cost compared to the tapered joint. This research is intended to provide information and/or recommendation to state policy makers as to which of the base widening joint techniques (vertical, tapered, stepped) for flexible pavement provides better pavement performance.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/29332
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering
  1000 East University Avenue
  Laramie, WY  United States  82071

  Wyoming Department of Transportation

  Cheyenne, WY  United States 

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Offei, Edward
  • Young, Rhonda
  • Ksaibati, Khaled
  • 0000-0002-9241-1792
  • Apronti, Dick
• Publication Date: 2013-12

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 255p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregate gradation; Costs; Evaluation; Falling weight deflectometers; Joint construction; Moisture content; Pavement joints; Pavement widening; Recommendations; State of the practice
• Identifier Terms: Dynamic Cone Penetrometer
• Geographic Terms: Wyoming
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01626811
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-WY-14/02F
• Contract Numbers: RS08(211)
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 27 2017 9:26AM