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

This report describes the testing, construction, and five 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 I-70 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 five years since construction. The results of this study has demonstrated the use of explosives as an effective and economical method of treating swelling shales.

• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado Department of Highways

  4201 East Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  Engineering Research and Development Bureau, 1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • LaForce, R
  • Ardani, A
• Publication Date: 1986-5

Media Info

• Pagination: 34 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Density; Explosives; Highway maintenance; Maintenance management; Reduction (Chemistry); Shale; Subgrade (Pavements); Swelling
• Identifier Terms: Interstate Highway System
• Uncontrolled Terms: Maintenance costs
• Old TRIS Terms: Explosive charges; Reduction
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; I42: Soil Mechanics;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00460314
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOH-DTP-R-86-9
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 31 1986 12:00AM