EXPERIMENTAL MOISTURE BARRIER AND WATERPROOF SURFACE

The objective of this study was to determine if it is possible to maintain the moisture content of a portion of portion of roadbed built in an expansive Pierre Shale area, in both cut sections and on fill sections, at a constant or uniform level, by applying waterproofing materials on the surface and a moisture barrier cut-off wall on both sides of the grade to a depth of four teet below the shoulder elevation. The project, which was built in 1965, consisted of a waterproof surfacing mixture of lime treatment and asphalt surfacing and plastic cut-off wall barriers placed two selected test sites. Moisture tests were taken at intervals in these two test sites, and from the control sections in between, from Nov. 1965 to Aug. 1971. On the basis of data collected, the following conclusions were drawn: (1) no significant difference exists in moisture contents in areas that have a moisture barrier and those that do not; (2) more fluctuation occurs just outside and inside the barrier than at the centerline area or areas further outside the barrier; and (3) the roughness index variations of the road surface through the test areas are in about the same relationship as the moisture variations and show that the riding surface is slightly better in the areas where there was no barrier. The study indicated that rideability was affected to some degree by the fluctuations in moisture. Although the moisture barrier, as installed on this project, was not effective in controlling these fluctuations it does appear that if a method or technique could be devised to hold the moisture more uniform a smoother ride could be provided on roads built on the Pierre Shale.

• Corporate Authors:

  South Dakota Department of Transportation

  Division of Highways, Transportation Building
  Pierre, SD  United States  57501
• Authors:
  • McDonald, E B
• Publication Date: 1973-10

Media Info

• Features: Figures;
• Pagination: 8 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Calcium oxide; Moisture barriers; Moisture content; Riding qualities; Roughness; Shale; Subgrade (Pavements); Swelling soils; Waterproofing materials
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00080412
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: NR 0200 (3645) Final Rpt.
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Feb 27 1975 12:00AM