Implementation of the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) for Superpave Validation

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General Information
Solicitation Number: 1170
Status: End Solicitation Phase
Date Posted: Sep 27, 2007
Last Updated: Jul 02, 2019
Solicitation Expires: Jun 30, 2008
Partners: AL, CO, CT, FHWA, FL, GADOT, IL, KS, KY, MDOT SHA, ME, NC, NE, NHDOT, NJ, NY, Ontario MOT, OR, PADOT, PR, TN, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2008
Commitment End Year: 2014
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $1,500,000.00
Commitments Received: $2,331,488.37
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Gary Jensen
Gary.Jensen@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Audrey Copeland
audrey.copeland@dot.gov
Phone: 202.493.0341
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alabama Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Alabama Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Alabama Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Colorado Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2008 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2009 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2010 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2008 $105,000.00 Audrey Copeland Audrey Copeland 202.493.0341 audrey.copeland@dot.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $30,000.00 Greg Sholar Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Georgia Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2008 $74,020.37 Greg Schieber Rodney Montney 785-291-3844 rodney@ksdot.org
Kansas Department of Transportation 2010 $30,980.00 Greg Schieber Rodney Montney 785-291-3844 rodney@ksdot.org
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2009 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2010 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2011 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Maine Department of Transportation 2010 $52,500.00 Richard Bradbury Dale Peabody 207- 624-3305 Dale.Peabody@maine.gov
Maine Department of Transportation 2011 $52,500.00 Richard Bradbury Dale Peabody 207- 624-3305 Dale.Peabody@maine.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2009 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2010 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2011 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Nebraska Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00 Laird Weishahn
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Jersey Department of Transportation 2010 $75,000.00 Eileen Sheehy Edward Kondrath 609-530-2058 Ed.Kondrath@dot.state.nj.us
New Jersey Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Eileen Sheehy Edward Kondrath 609-530-2058 Ed.Kondrath@dot.state.nj.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2008 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2009 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
Ontario Ministry of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Oregon Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Oregon Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Oregon Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Puerto Rico Department of Transportation and Public Works $0.00
Tennessee Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Mark Woods Stephanie Vincent 615.741.2203 Stephanie.Vincent@tn.gov
Tennessee Department of Transportation 2011 $70,000.00 Mark Woods Stephanie Vincent 615.741.2203 Stephanie.Vincent@tn.gov
Utah Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Scott Andrus David Stevens 801-589-8340 davidstevens@utah.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2012 $75,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $75,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2014 $80,744.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
West Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $80,744.00 Donny Williams Roger Hamilton 304-558-9594 Roger.Hamilton@wv.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tom Brokaw Ethan Severson 608-266-1457 ethanp.severson@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $70,000.00 Tom Brokaw Ethan Severson 608-266-1457 ethanp.severson@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2008 $105,000.00 Vicki Bonds Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us

Background

The majority of state highway agencies have implemented the Superpave volumetric mix design process created during the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) as part of their system for designing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixtures. However, at the conclusion of SHRP no simple test was available that provides information on the probable performance of asphalt mixtures designed using Superpave volumetric mix design. State highway agencies, as well as industry, have expressed the need for simple load tests to use during the mix design process and in field quality control to evaluate permanent deformation and fatigue cracking of Superpave-designed HMA. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) sponsor research to develop and validate advanced materials characterization models and related laboratory testing procedures for HMA. NCHRP Project 9-19 Superpave Support and Performance Models Management included the development of simple performance tests for permanent deformation and fatigue cracking to be incorporated in the volumetric mixture design process. The following three tests were recommended to evaluate permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures: dynamic modulus (E*) using the triaxial dynamic modulus test, flow time (Ft) using the triaxial static creep test, and flow number (Fn) using the triaxial repeated load test. The dynamic modulus at intermediate temperatures is recommended for fatigue cracking and a separate test, the indirect tensile creep test, is recommended for low-temperature cracking. As part of NCHRP Project 9-29 Simple Performance Tester for Superpave Mix Design, a Simple Performance Tester (SPT) designed to conduct all three tests recommended by NCHRP 9-19 was procured and evaluated for use in Superpave mix design and in HMA materials characterization for structural design. NCHRP 9-29 concluded that the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) is a reasonably priced, user-friendly device for testing stiffness and permanent deformation properties of asphalt concrete, however it should be noted that the capabilities of the SPT are limited compared to the specifications of NCHRP 9-19 and standards have been revised accordingly. The performance of the SPT protocol, which includes dynamic modulus, flow number and flow time, has been evaluated in laboratory studies using Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program data and in field tests using Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) facilities. Data from all three simple performance tests have been shown to correlate well with observed rutting in field pavements (NCHRP 9-29). The next step is to get the SPT in the hands of highway agencies, train technicians to properly use the device, and evaluate the device¿s ability to assess performance of asphalt mixes designed using the Superpave volumetric mix design method.

Objectives

This pooled fund study is open to any highway agency interested in using simple performance tests to aid in material characterization for design and analysis of flexible pavements. The objectives of this pooled fund study are to: (i) nationally procure the SPT for highway agencies interested in obtaining and using the SPT to characterize asphalt mixtures designed using Superpave technology; (ii) provide support in training technicians to use the SPT to perform the proposed standard practices for measuring dynamic modulus, flow number and flow time of asphalt mixtures compacted using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC); and (iii) evaluate the nation-wide implementation and use of the SPT for assessing performance of asphalt mixtures over a wide range of climatic conditions, materials, and structures.

Scope of Work

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be established to provide oversight and guidance for the project. Each project partner may appoint a representative to serve on the TAC. In addition, technical experts in SPT development, equipment, and Superpave technology implementation will be invited to serve on the TAC. Throughout the project the TAC will oversee the implementation of the SPT and review project progress reports, annual and final reports. This will be accomplished via electronic and telephone-based communication as much as possible; however periodic meetings are required. It is anticipated that the implementation process will encompass the following tasks (for more details please see project proposal link provided below): 1. Conduct TAC workshop; 2. Solicit proposals from manufacturers of the SPT that meet all necessary requirements specified in Task 1(iii). Based on the proposals received, FHWA will procure a limited number of SPTs from multiple manufacturers; 3. Selected laboratories will participate in the development of precision and bias experiments for developing dynamic modulus curves for HMA concrete using the SPT system; 4. Procure and implement the SPT for participating agencies; 5. Develop a training course to provide highway agency personnel a better understanding of the proposed standards, procedures, and requirements associated with the SPT; 6. Conduct experiments to showcase the correlation between characterization of HMA materials using the SPT and criteria for permanent deformation evaluation. There are criteria available to evaluate permanent deformation using dynamic modulus (NCHRP 9-29) and flow number (NCHRP 9-33) results. Sub-tasks will be further defined in the work plan developed by the TAC; 7. Prepare final report(s).

Comments

Each partner is asked to contribute a minimum of $105,000 which may be transferred over a three year period. FHWA will serve as the coordinator for this pooled-fund project. FHWA will issue task order contracts to support services contractors to conduct studies and develop training course. A memorandum will be sent to the FHWA division offices to solicit federal, state, tribal, regional, and local agencies for their interest and participation in this study.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
Implementation of the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) for Superpave Validation 1170.pdf Solicitation Public

Implementation of the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) for Superpave Validation

General Information
Solicitation Number: 1170
Status: End Solicitation Phase
Date Posted: Sep 27, 2007
Last Updated: Jul 02, 2019
Solicitation Expires: Jun 30, 2008
Partners: AL, CO, CT, FHWA, FL, GADOT, IL, KS, KY, MDOT SHA, ME, NC, NE, NHDOT, NJ, NY, Ontario MOT, OR, PADOT, PR, TN, UT, VA, WI, WV, WY
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Financial Summary
Suggested Contribution:
Commitment Start Year: 2008
Commitment End Year: 2014
100% SP&R Approval: Pending Approval
Commitments Required: $1,500,000.00
Commitments Received: $2,331,488.37
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Gary Jensen
Gary.Jensen@dot.gov
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Audrey Copeland
audrey.copeland@dot.gov
Phone: 202.493.0341
Commitments by Organizations
Agency Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alabama Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Alabama Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Alabama Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Colorado Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2008 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2009 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Connecticut Department of Transportation 2010 $60,000.00 Eric Jackson Melanie Zimyeski (860)594-2144 Melanie.Zimyeski@ct.gov
Federal Highway Administration 2008 $105,000.00 Audrey Copeland Audrey Copeland 202.493.0341 audrey.copeland@dot.gov
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $30,000.00 Greg Sholar Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Georgia Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Georgia Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Peter Wu Supriya Kamatkar 404-347-0552 skamatkar@dot.ga.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Illinois Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Tom Zehr Megan Swanson 217-782-3547 Megan.Swanson@illinois.gov
Kansas Department of Transportation 2008 $74,020.37 Greg Schieber Rodney Montney 785-291-3844 rodney@ksdot.org
Kansas Department of Transportation 2010 $30,980.00 Greg Schieber Rodney Montney 785-291-3844 rodney@ksdot.org
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2009 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2010 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Kentucky Transportation Cabinet 2011 $35,000.00 Jamie Byrd 502-564-3730 etc 3138 jamie.bewley@ky.gov
Maine Department of Transportation 2010 $52,500.00 Richard Bradbury Dale Peabody 207- 624-3305 Dale.Peabody@maine.gov
Maine Department of Transportation 2011 $52,500.00 Richard Bradbury Dale Peabody 207- 624-3305 Dale.Peabody@maine.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2009 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2010 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Maryland Department of Transportation State Highway Administration 2011 $35,000.00 Barry Catterton Allison Hardt 410-545-2916 ahardt@mdot.maryland.gov
Nebraska Department of Transportation 2011 $0.00 Laird Weishahn
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Hampshire Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Denis Boisvert Ann Scholz 603-271-1659 ann.scholz@dot.nh.gov
New Jersey Department of Transportation 2010 $75,000.00 Eileen Sheehy Edward Kondrath 609-530-2058 Ed.Kondrath@dot.state.nj.us
New Jersey Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Eileen Sheehy Edward Kondrath 609-530-2058 Ed.Kondrath@dot.state.nj.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Russell Thielke Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2008 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2009 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
North Carolina Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Jack Cowsert Mrinmay Biswas 919-508-1865 biswas@ncdot.gov
Ontario Ministry of Transportation 2011 $0.00
Oregon Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Oregon Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Oregon Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Larry Ilg Barnie Jones 503- 986-2845 barnie.p.jones@odot.state.or.us
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2009 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Pennsylvania Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Tim Ramirez Lisa Tarson (717) 705-2202 ltarson@pa.gov
Tennessee Department of Transportation 2010 $35,000.00 Mark Woods Stephanie Vincent 615.741.2203 Stephanie.Vincent@tn.gov
Tennessee Department of Transportation 2011 $70,000.00 Mark Woods Stephanie Vincent 615.741.2203 Stephanie.Vincent@tn.gov
Utah Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Scott Andrus David Stevens 801-589-8340 davidstevens@utah.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2011 $10,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2012 $75,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $75,000.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2014 $80,744.00 Stacey Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
West Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $80,744.00 Donny Williams Roger Hamilton 304-558-9594 Roger.Hamilton@wv.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2008 $35,000.00 Tom Brokaw Ethan Severson 608-266-1457 ethanp.severson@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2009 $70,000.00 Tom Brokaw Ethan Severson 608-266-1457 ethanp.severson@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2008 $105,000.00 Vicki Bonds Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us

Background

The majority of state highway agencies have implemented the Superpave volumetric mix design process created during the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) as part of their system for designing Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) mixtures. However, at the conclusion of SHRP no simple test was available that provides information on the probable performance of asphalt mixtures designed using Superpave volumetric mix design. State highway agencies, as well as industry, have expressed the need for simple load tests to use during the mix design process and in field quality control to evaluate permanent deformation and fatigue cracking of Superpave-designed HMA. The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) and the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) sponsor research to develop and validate advanced materials characterization models and related laboratory testing procedures for HMA. NCHRP Project 9-19 Superpave Support and Performance Models Management included the development of simple performance tests for permanent deformation and fatigue cracking to be incorporated in the volumetric mixture design process. The following three tests were recommended to evaluate permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures: dynamic modulus (E*) using the triaxial dynamic modulus test, flow time (Ft) using the triaxial static creep test, and flow number (Fn) using the triaxial repeated load test. The dynamic modulus at intermediate temperatures is recommended for fatigue cracking and a separate test, the indirect tensile creep test, is recommended for low-temperature cracking. As part of NCHRP Project 9-29 Simple Performance Tester for Superpave Mix Design, a Simple Performance Tester (SPT) designed to conduct all three tests recommended by NCHRP 9-19 was procured and evaluated for use in Superpave mix design and in HMA materials characterization for structural design. NCHRP 9-29 concluded that the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) is a reasonably priced, user-friendly device for testing stiffness and permanent deformation properties of asphalt concrete, however it should be noted that the capabilities of the SPT are limited compared to the specifications of NCHRP 9-19 and standards have been revised accordingly. The performance of the SPT protocol, which includes dynamic modulus, flow number and flow time, has been evaluated in laboratory studies using Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program data and in field tests using Accelerated Pavement Testing (APT) facilities. Data from all three simple performance tests have been shown to correlate well with observed rutting in field pavements (NCHRP 9-29). The next step is to get the SPT in the hands of highway agencies, train technicians to properly use the device, and evaluate the device¿s ability to assess performance of asphalt mixes designed using the Superpave volumetric mix design method.

Objectives

This pooled fund study is open to any highway agency interested in using simple performance tests to aid in material characterization for design and analysis of flexible pavements. The objectives of this pooled fund study are to: (i) nationally procure the SPT for highway agencies interested in obtaining and using the SPT to characterize asphalt mixtures designed using Superpave technology; (ii) provide support in training technicians to use the SPT to perform the proposed standard practices for measuring dynamic modulus, flow number and flow time of asphalt mixtures compacted using the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC); and (iii) evaluate the nation-wide implementation and use of the SPT for assessing performance of asphalt mixtures over a wide range of climatic conditions, materials, and structures.

Scope of Work

A Technical Advisory Committee (TAC) will be established to provide oversight and guidance for the project. Each project partner may appoint a representative to serve on the TAC. In addition, technical experts in SPT development, equipment, and Superpave technology implementation will be invited to serve on the TAC. Throughout the project the TAC will oversee the implementation of the SPT and review project progress reports, annual and final reports. This will be accomplished via electronic and telephone-based communication as much as possible; however periodic meetings are required. It is anticipated that the implementation process will encompass the following tasks (for more details please see project proposal link provided below): 1. Conduct TAC workshop; 2. Solicit proposals from manufacturers of the SPT that meet all necessary requirements specified in Task 1(iii). Based on the proposals received, FHWA will procure a limited number of SPTs from multiple manufacturers; 3. Selected laboratories will participate in the development of precision and bias experiments for developing dynamic modulus curves for HMA concrete using the SPT system; 4. Procure and implement the SPT for participating agencies; 5. Develop a training course to provide highway agency personnel a better understanding of the proposed standards, procedures, and requirements associated with the SPT; 6. Conduct experiments to showcase the correlation between characterization of HMA materials using the SPT and criteria for permanent deformation evaluation. There are criteria available to evaluate permanent deformation using dynamic modulus (NCHRP 9-29) and flow number (NCHRP 9-33) results. Sub-tasks will be further defined in the work plan developed by the TAC; 7. Prepare final report(s).

Comments

Each partner is asked to contribute a minimum of $105,000 which may be transferred over a three year period. FHWA will serve as the coordinator for this pooled-fund project. FHWA will issue task order contracts to support services contractors to conduct studies and develop training course. A memorandum will be sent to the FHWA division offices to solicit federal, state, tribal, regional, and local agencies for their interest and participation in this study.

Title Type Private
Implementation of the Simple Performance Tester (SPT) for Superpave Validation Solicitation N

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