Characterization of Drainage Layer Properties for MEPDG

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(229)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Virginia Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Sep 01, 2010
Solicitation Number: 1225
Partners: ID, OK, VA, WI
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: Aug 31, 2013
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 06, 2016
Contract End Date: Aug 31, 2013
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $360,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Brian Diefenderfer
Brian.Diefenderfer@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Phone: 434-293-1944
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): James Sherwood
Jim.Sherwood@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 493-3150
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Idaho Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib
Idaho Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib
Idaho Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib
Oklahoma Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons
Oklahoma Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons
Oklahoma Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus

Study Description

Recent research projects in Virginia and several national projects have focused on the design, construction, and evaluation of the drainage layers. The conclusions of these projects are sometimes controversial. One of the challenges to evaluate the effectiveness of drainage layers (in terms of their structural contribution to the overall pavement structure) lies in the difficulty in determining the causes of observed phenomenological distresses to the drainage layers. Typically a core should be acquired to determine whether the distress to the pavement is caused, or in some part contributed to, by the drainage layer. Indirect methods such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests cannot often directly determine whether the failures come from the drainage layer. In the 1993 AASHTO pavement design guide, the contribution of the drainage layer to pavement structure is not considered. Some states follow this approach and do not give the drainage layer a structural layer coefficient while others do. In the MEPDG, while every layer can be separately evaluated, there is no procedure developed to characterize the fundamental properties of these drainage layers, which are usually composed of high porosity asphalt concrete or granular materials with porosities ranging from 20% to 35%. With these high porosities, the elastic modulus and the strength of these materials are relatively much lower than those of the traditional dense-graded materials. Also, it is quite difficult in preparing lab specimens at such high porosities. A need exists to develop methods or modify existing methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of these materials at high porosity, to perform analysis of the stability and failure of the drainage layer in the pavement structure, and to specify the required minimum porosity for effective drainage.

Objectives

The objectives of the pooled fund study are to develop methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of drainage layers for MEPDG, to perform analysis of the stability and failure of the drainage layer in the pavement structure, and to develop specifications for required minimum porosity for effective drainage.

Scope of Work

The scope of the work includes the following. 1. Develop testing methods or modify/adapt existing methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of asphalt concrete, other bounded materials or granular materials at high porosity. It is anticipated that triaxial tests and a portable ultrasound test device will be used. 2. Perform pavement analysis to evaluate how the drainage layers will perform/fail in a typical pavement structure under typical traffic loading. 3. Conduct a national survey on the requirements of the percent porosity of the drainage layer and its effectiveness in providing adequate drainage, and on general practice of drainage design, construction and evaluation. 4. Based on 1, 2 and 3, formulate recommendations of material properties and methods for failure predictions of drainage layers for MEPDG. It is anticipated that default values, empirical correlations, and testing procedures will be recommended for the material properties. The testing procedures will be formulated into AASHTO format for review and adoption. The pooled fund study will solicit the participation of about ten states and/or agencies. The typical pavement structure, drainage layer designs of these states will be collected and analyzed. The materials from these states will be characterized.

Comments

This study is of high significance. First, drainage is critical to the long life of pavements. Second, if contribution to pavement structure by drainage layer is not considered, it may result in an over design. Third, if drainage layer is not well constructed it may cause premature failures of the pavement structure. It is anticipated that the pooled fund study will take three years to accomplish. For each year, each participating state/agency is suggested to contribute $30,000

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Document Category Document Type Privacy Document Date Download
TPF-5(229) Closeout Letter TPF-5(229) Closeout Letter - Signed.pdf Other Other Public 2016-10-06
TPF-5(229) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(229) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Other Public 2016-10-06
final report TPF-5(229) Wang - MEPDG Drainage Layers - Final Report - 06-23-2016.pdf Deliverable Final Report Public 2016-06-23
January-March 2016 Quartly report_03-31-2016.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2016-03-31
October-December 2015 Quartly report_12-31-2015.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2015-12-31
January-March 2014 Quartly report_04-30-2014-April14.docx Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2014-04-28
July-September 2012 Quarterly Report-20121024.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-10-23
October-December 2012 Quarterly Report-20130125-revised.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2013-01-25
April-June 2012 Quartly report-20120709.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-07-09
January-March 2012 quarterly report-20120430.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-04-30
October-December 2011 TPF-5(229) QR #4.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2012-02-07
Quarterly Report: July-September 2011 TPF 5(229) Quarterly Report_111025.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-10-27
Quarterly Report: 2011 April - June TPF-5_229_Quarterly_Report-July-2011.pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-08-15
Quarterly Report: 2011 January - March TPF-5_229_Quarterly_Report(2011_Jan-Mar).pdf Progress Report Quarterly Progress Report Public 2011-06-09
Acceptance Memo AcceptanceMemo.pdf Memorandum Other Public 2010-07-05

No document attached.

Characterization of Drainage Layer Properties for MEPDG

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(229)
Lead Organization: Virginia Department of Transportation
Contract Start Date: Sep 01, 2010
Solicitation Number: 1225
Partners: ID, OK, VA, WI
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date: Aug 31, 2013
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Oct 06, 2016
Contract End Date: Aug 31, 2013
Financial Summary
Contract Amount:
Total Commitments Received: $360,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Brian Diefenderfer
Brian.Diefenderfer@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Phone: 434-293-1944
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): James Sherwood
Jim.Sherwood@dot.gov
Phone: 202- 493-3150
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Idaho Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib 208-334-8181 amanda.laib@itd.idaho.gov
Idaho Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib 208-334-8181 amanda.laib@itd.idaho.gov
Idaho Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Mark Wheeler Amanda Laib 208-334-8181 amanda.laib@itd.idaho.gov
Oklahoma Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons blyons@odot.org
Oklahoma Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons blyons@odot.org
Oklahoma Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Josh Randell Beckie Lyons blyons@odot.org
Virginia Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Brian Diefenderfer Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2010 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2011 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2012 $30,000.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2013 $0.00 Laura Fenley Lynn Hanus 608-267-2294 lynnm.hanus@dot.wi.gov

Study Description

Study Description

Recent research projects in Virginia and several national projects have focused on the design, construction, and evaluation of the drainage layers. The conclusions of these projects are sometimes controversial. One of the challenges to evaluate the effectiveness of drainage layers (in terms of their structural contribution to the overall pavement structure) lies in the difficulty in determining the causes of observed phenomenological distresses to the drainage layers. Typically a core should be acquired to determine whether the distress to the pavement is caused, or in some part contributed to, by the drainage layer. Indirect methods such as the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) tests cannot often directly determine whether the failures come from the drainage layer. In the 1993 AASHTO pavement design guide, the contribution of the drainage layer to pavement structure is not considered. Some states follow this approach and do not give the drainage layer a structural layer coefficient while others do. In the MEPDG, while every layer can be separately evaluated, there is no procedure developed to characterize the fundamental properties of these drainage layers, which are usually composed of high porosity asphalt concrete or granular materials with porosities ranging from 20% to 35%. With these high porosities, the elastic modulus and the strength of these materials are relatively much lower than those of the traditional dense-graded materials. Also, it is quite difficult in preparing lab specimens at such high porosities. A need exists to develop methods or modify existing methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of these materials at high porosity, to perform analysis of the stability and failure of the drainage layer in the pavement structure, and to specify the required minimum porosity for effective drainage.

Objectives

The objectives of the pooled fund study are to develop methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of drainage layers for MEPDG, to perform analysis of the stability and failure of the drainage layer in the pavement structure, and to develop specifications for required minimum porosity for effective drainage.

Scope of Work

The scope of the work includes the following. 1. Develop testing methods or modify/adapt existing methods to characterize the elastic modulus and strength of asphalt concrete, other bounded materials or granular materials at high porosity. It is anticipated that triaxial tests and a portable ultrasound test device will be used. 2. Perform pavement analysis to evaluate how the drainage layers will perform/fail in a typical pavement structure under typical traffic loading. 3. Conduct a national survey on the requirements of the percent porosity of the drainage layer and its effectiveness in providing adequate drainage, and on general practice of drainage design, construction and evaluation. 4. Based on 1, 2 and 3, formulate recommendations of material properties and methods for failure predictions of drainage layers for MEPDG. It is anticipated that default values, empirical correlations, and testing procedures will be recommended for the material properties. The testing procedures will be formulated into AASHTO format for review and adoption. The pooled fund study will solicit the participation of about ten states and/or agencies. The typical pavement structure, drainage layer designs of these states will be collected and analyzed. The materials from these states will be characterized.

Comments

This study is of high significance. First, drainage is critical to the long life of pavements. Second, if contribution to pavement structure by drainage layer is not considered, it may result in an over design. Third, if drainage layer is not well constructed it may cause premature failures of the pavement structure. It is anticipated that the pooled fund study will take three years to accomplish. For each year, each participating state/agency is suggested to contribute $30,000

Title File/Link Type Private
TPF-5(229) Closeout Letter TPF-5(229) Closeout Letter - Signed.pdf Other Public
TPF-5(229) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(229) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Public
final report TPF-5(229) Wang - MEPDG Drainage Layers - Final Report - 06-23-2016.pdf Deliverable Public
January-March 2016 Quartly report_03-31-2016.docx Progress Report Public
October-December 2015 Quartly report_12-31-2015.docx Progress Report Public
January-March 2014 Quartly report_04-30-2014-April14.docx Progress Report Public
October-December 2012 Quarterly Report-20130125-revised.pdf Progress Report Public
July-September 2012 Quarterly Report-20121024.pdf Progress Report Public
April-June 2012 Quartly report-20120709.pdf Progress Report Public
January-March 2012 quarterly report-20120430.pdf Progress Report Public
October-December 2011 TPF-5(229) QR #4.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: July-September 2011 TPF 5(229) Quarterly Report_111025.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: 2011 April - June TPF-5_229_Quarterly_Report-July-2011.pdf Progress Report Public
Quarterly Report: 2011 January - March TPF-5_229_Quarterly_Report(2011_Jan-Mar).pdf Progress Report Public
Acceptance Memo AcceptanceMemo.pdf Memorandum Public
No document attached.

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