Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain (GCBD) for Limiting Moisture Changes in Pavements: Product Application

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(126)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 928
Partners: MI, MN, NY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Mar 15, 2012
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $190,000.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $190,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Andrew Eller
andrew.eller@state.mn.us
Phone: 651.406.4835
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Michigan Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Michael Eacker Andre' Clover
Michigan Department of Transportation 2007 $45,000.00 Michael Eacker Andre' Clover
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2005 $35,000.00 not available Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2006 $35,000.00 not available Lisa Jansen
New York State Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bob Burnett Gary Frederick
New York State Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Bob Burnett Gary Frederick

Study Description

The problems associated with excessive moisture in pavement bases and subgrades are numerous and well known. Conventional drainage may not be wholly effective in reducing water-related problems (e.g., Christopher and McGuffey, 1997; Hall and Correa, 2003). Conventional drainage is designed for saturated conditions, however, most water movement near the surface occurs under unsaturated (partially saturated) conditions. Recent studies suggest that conventional drainage systems can only be understood if unsaturated flow principles are considered (Birgisson and Roberson, 2000; Stormont and Zhou, 2004). The performance of GCBD systems has been evaluated in the laboratory and in a limited field test (in the Muddy Roads project sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Transportation). The next step in GCBD development is to document its drainage performance in a field scale pavement section and to obtain related mechanical performance indicators. Field scale testing includes conditions that are more realistic for the eventual deployment of the GCBD technology, including pavement cracks and variability in base course properties. Field scale testing should include a side-by-side comparison with a control section. In this way, the benefits of the GCBD can be clearly demonstrated.

Objectives

This project is geared toward implementing GCBD technology. A key objective of the project is to select the most effective transport layer for use in a prototype GCBD. A second objective of the project is incorporation of the prototype GCBD into a full-scale test section at the Minnesota Road Research Facility (MnROAD), a comprehensive pavement test track facility. In addition to demonstrating construction using the GCBD, measurements of GCBD test section performance, side-by-side with a control section will quantify its benefits. The final objective is development of design tools to aid in the design of the GCBD for specific climate, geometry, and soils.

Scope of Work

Utilizing a GCBD for pavement drainage explicitly targets and provides for unsaturated flow, and will result in greater drainage efficiency compared to conventional drainage, which is designed for saturated flow. With a GCBD, the base and subgrade will contain less water than a pavement without a GCBD at any point in time. This is important because the strength of both the base course and subgrade degrades with increased moisture, and ultimately reduces pavement structural durability. Thus, a GCBD will result in increased longevity of the pavement. Expected benefits of the GCBD include: - Reduced equilibrium water content in base - Prevent positive pore water pressures in base - Prevent wetting of underlying subgrade due to infiltration - Prevent capillary rise of water from subgrade into base - Provide complementary separation and stabilization This project will provide important information to state and local transportation engineers which will allow them to make informed decisions and improved pavement design. By pooling resources, agencies will be able to conduct more extensive studies across a greater range of conditions than could be done by a single agency with only its own funds.

Comments

The NCHRP-IDEA Program has already committed $100,000 (see attached PDF format work plan). We are seeking $165,000 in pooled funds to construct one pavement test section at the MnROAD research facility. Minnesota, New York, and Michigan have already expressed interest in participating. Our target and ultimate goal is to have five agencies participating at $25,000 per year for two years, yielding $250,000 for the construction of two test sections.

Subjects: Pavement Design, Management, and Performance

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Estimating Modulus Values for Layers in a Flexible Pavement Incorporating a Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain NCHRP113_Final_Report.pdf Deliverable Final Report Public 2010-02-16
Quarterly Report: April - June 2008 quarterly_report_2008-06.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-10-17
Quarterly Report: January - March 2007 quarterly_report_2007-03.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-04-17
Quarterly Report: January - March 2009 quarterly_report_2009-03.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2009-04-02
Quarterly Report: October - December 2008 quarterly_report_2008-12.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2009-01-13
Quarterly Report: July - September 2008 quarterly_report_2008-09.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-11-17
Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 quarterly_report_2008-03.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-06-10
Quarterly Report: October - December 2007 quarterly_report_2007-12.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2008-01-08
Quarterly Report: July - September 2007 quarterly_report_2007-10.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-10-11
Quarterly Report : April - June 2007 quarterly_report_2007-07.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-08-02
Quarterly Report : October - December 2006 quarterly_report_2006_12.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-04-19
Quarterly Report: July - September 2006 quarterly_report_2006_09.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2007-04-19
Quarterly Report: January 1 - March 30, 2006 quarterly_report_03-06.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2006-05-03
Quarterly Report: May 2006 - July 2006 quarterly_report_2006_07.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2006-09-19
Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain (GCBD) for Limiting Moisture Changes in Pavements: Product Application 928.pdf TPF Study Documentation Solicitation Public 2011-09-25

Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain (GCBD) for Limiting Moisture Changes in Pavements: Product Application

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(126)
Lead Organization: Minnesota Department of Transportation
Solicitation Number: 928
Partners: MI, MN, NY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Mar 15, 2012
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $190,000.00
Total Commitments Received: $190,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Andrew Eller
andrew.eller@state.mn.us
Phone: 651.406.4835
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Michigan Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Michael Eacker Andre' Clover 517-749-9001 clovera@michigan.gov
Michigan Department of Transportation 2007 $45,000.00 Michael Eacker Andre' Clover 517-749-9001 clovera@michigan.gov
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2005 $35,000.00 not available Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2006 $35,000.00 not available Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
New York State Department of Transportation 2005 $25,000.00 Bob Burnett Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov
New York State Department of Transportation 2006 $25,000.00 Bob Burnett Gary Frederick 518-457-4645 gary.frederick@dot.ny.gov

Study Description

Study Description

The problems associated with excessive moisture in pavement bases and subgrades are numerous and well known. Conventional drainage may not be wholly effective in reducing water-related problems (e.g., Christopher and McGuffey, 1997; Hall and Correa, 2003). Conventional drainage is designed for saturated conditions, however, most water movement near the surface occurs under unsaturated (partially saturated) conditions. Recent studies suggest that conventional drainage systems can only be understood if unsaturated flow principles are considered (Birgisson and Roberson, 2000; Stormont and Zhou, 2004). The performance of GCBD systems has been evaluated in the laboratory and in a limited field test (in the Muddy Roads project sponsored by the Vermont Agency of Transportation). The next step in GCBD development is to document its drainage performance in a field scale pavement section and to obtain related mechanical performance indicators. Field scale testing includes conditions that are more realistic for the eventual deployment of the GCBD technology, including pavement cracks and variability in base course properties. Field scale testing should include a side-by-side comparison with a control section. In this way, the benefits of the GCBD can be clearly demonstrated.

Objectives

This project is geared toward implementing GCBD technology. A key objective of the project is to select the most effective transport layer for use in a prototype GCBD. A second objective of the project is incorporation of the prototype GCBD into a full-scale test section at the Minnesota Road Research Facility (MnROAD), a comprehensive pavement test track facility. In addition to demonstrating construction using the GCBD, measurements of GCBD test section performance, side-by-side with a control section will quantify its benefits. The final objective is development of design tools to aid in the design of the GCBD for specific climate, geometry, and soils.

Scope of Work

Utilizing a GCBD for pavement drainage explicitly targets and provides for unsaturated flow, and will result in greater drainage efficiency compared to conventional drainage, which is designed for saturated flow. With a GCBD, the base and subgrade will contain less water than a pavement without a GCBD at any point in time. This is important because the strength of both the base course and subgrade degrades with increased moisture, and ultimately reduces pavement structural durability. Thus, a GCBD will result in increased longevity of the pavement. Expected benefits of the GCBD include: - Reduced equilibrium water content in base - Prevent positive pore water pressures in base - Prevent wetting of underlying subgrade due to infiltration - Prevent capillary rise of water from subgrade into base - Provide complementary separation and stabilization This project will provide important information to state and local transportation engineers which will allow them to make informed decisions and improved pavement design. By pooling resources, agencies will be able to conduct more extensive studies across a greater range of conditions than could be done by a single agency with only its own funds.

Comments

The NCHRP-IDEA Program has already committed $100,000 (see attached PDF format work plan). We are seeking $165,000 in pooled funds to construct one pavement test section at the MnROAD research facility. Minnesota, New York, and Michigan have already expressed interest in participating. Our target and ultimate goal is to have five agencies participating at $25,000 per year for two years, yielding $250,000 for the construction of two test sections.

Subjects: Pavement Design, Management, and Performance

Title File/Link Type Private
Estimating Modulus Values for Layers in a Flexible Pavement Incorporating a Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain NCHRP113_Final_Report.pdf Deliverable Public
Quarterly Report: January - March 2009 quarterly_report_2009-03.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October - December 2008 quarterly_report_2008-12.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July - September 2008 quarterly_report_2008-09.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: April - June 2008 quarterly_report_2008-06.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January - March 2008 quarterly_report_2008-03.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: October - December 2007 quarterly_report_2007-12.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July - September 2007 quarterly_report_2007-10.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report : April - June 2007 quarterly_report_2007-07.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report : October - December 2006 quarterly_report_2006_12.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July - September 2006 quarterly_report_2006_09.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January - March 2007 quarterly_report_2007-03.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: May 2006 - July 2006 quarterly_report_2006_07.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: January 1 - March 30, 2006 quarterly_report_03-06.pdf Progress Report Public
Title File/Link Type Private
Geocomposite Capillary Barrier Drain (GCBD) for Limiting Moisture Changes in Pavements: Product Application 928.pdf TPF Study Documentation Public

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