LONG-TERM PERFORMANCE OF WOOD FIBER FILLS

The results of a research project to determine the long-term performance of 21 wood fiber embankments, constructed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) beginning in 1972, are presented. The wood fiber was placed above and below the water table and in fluctuating groundwater conditions. At the time the embankments were constructed, there was concern that they would only provide a 15- to 20-year service life. Performance of existing wood fiber fills was evaluated on the basis of the quality of the wood fiber material, quality of the effluent, and condition of the pavement. A visual classification system rating the wood fiber from fresh to completely decomposed was developed and used to establish a criterion from which all wood fiber material could be rated. Visual examination and laboratory tests were used as determining aspects for the effluent quality. The WSDOT pavement management system was used to evaluate relative pavement performance. Site descriptions giving specific characteristics and properties of inventoried fills are presented. An analysis of this information was done to determine the effectiveness of the fills. Over half the wood fiber samples were found to be nearly fresh or fresh after 15 years, and none after 5 to more than 19 years was found to be completely decomposed. In all but one case the pavement quality over the wood fiber fills surpassed the entire comparative milepost section rating, indicating that the wood fill performance exceeded that of the adjoining area. Generally, the surface water in the vicinity of the wood fiber was found to be clean and pure, indicating no adverse impact of effluent. Given the above findings, embankments constructed of wood fiber were found to perform well over an almost 20-year period. Service life of more than 50 years can be expected of wood fiber fills.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1993/1422/1422-009.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=LONG-TERM+PERFORMANCE+OF+WOOD+FIBER+FILLS&author=A.+Kilian&author=C.+Ferry&publication_year=1993
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309055695
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1422, Lightweight Artificial and Waste Materials for Embankments over Soft Soils. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Kilian, Alan P
  • Ferry, Christine D
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 55-60
• Monograph Title: Lightweight artificial waste materials for embankments over soft soils
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1422
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Effluents; Embankments; Evaluation; Fibers; Fills; Inspection; Laboratory tests; Lightweight materials; Pavement management systems; Pavement performance; Pavements; Performance; Quality control; Service life; Time duration; Vision; Water areas; Wood
• Uncontrolled Terms: Long term; Pavement conditions; Quality; Surface waters
• Old TRIS Terms: Site descriptions; Wood fiber
• Subject Areas: Design; Geotechnology; Highways; Materials; Pavements; I33: Other Materials used in Pavement Layers;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00647251
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309055695
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Apr 22 1994 12:00AM