| Validation
of Modulus Backcalculation Methods Using 3-D Finite Element
Analysis |
Duration |
September 2006 - September
2007 |
Sponsor |
Virginia DOT |
Investigators |
Khaled Gala (PI), Ghassan
Chehab (Co-PI) |
Sponsor
Contact |
VTRC |
Scope |
There is a need to
validate and evaluate current static backcalculation method(s)
utilized by VDOT using 3DFEM. Inaccurate layer moduli for
pavement rehabilitation designs, and inaccurate material characterizations,
can lead to poor pavement performance and/or premature pavement
failures. It is also necessary to be able to determine whether
static backcalculation programs are accurate enough to be
of continued use in standard pavement design/rehabilitation
practice or whether it is necessary to adopt more complex
dynamic analysis methods as VDOT moves to implement the MEPDG
mechanistic-empirical design method. The use of dynamic 3DFEM
analysis will provide a basis for comparison and should provide
insight into the accuracy of the current static methods, as
well as the future usage of dynamic analysis methods. |
| |
| Synthesis
on Use of Geosynthetics in Pavements and Development of Roadmap
to Geosynthetically-Modified Pavements (Gmp's) |
Duration |
August 2006 - February
2008 |
Sponsor |
FHWA |
Investigators |
Dennis Morian (PI),
Imad Al-Qadi, Ghassan Chehab, Shelley Stoffels, Timothy Sparks
|
Sponsor
Contact |
Peter Kopak |
Scope |
The objective
of this synthesis is to provide a comprehensive reference
to the pavement design engineer by presenting state-of-the-art
and practice, and a strategic plan in the use of geosynthetics
in design and construction of permanent (paved) roadways.
The synthesis aims to improve our understanding of the advantages
of geosynthetic products and disadvantages that may arise
from their improper selection and installation, challenges
that face pavement engineers in their use of such products
at the various stages from design to construction to rehabilitation.
The main tasks of the proposed project are the following:
- Compile known information about the use of geosynthetics
in pavement related applications,
- Explore existing design methods for using geosynthetics
in pavement related applications, identifying strengths
and weaknesses,
- Identify existing construction practices, successful
and unsuccessful
- Provide recommendations for QC/QA programs related to
pavement related geosynthetic applications, and
- Develop a roadmap defining the future research efforts
needed to make the use of geosynthetics in pavement applications
a fully functional design tool.
|
| |
| Evaluation
Study of PreMark Manhole Protection Rings |
Duration |
December 2006 - March
2007 |
Sponsor |
Flint Trading and PennDOT
Bureau of Municipal Services
|
Investigators |
Ghassan Chehab (PI) |
Sponsor
Contact |
Terry Flaherty |
Scope |
The scope of this evaluation
study is to evaluate the performance of using Premark®
manhole protection rings. The rings, composed of thermoplastic
material, are used to transition between the pavement surface
and that of the manhole cover. This reduces problems for snowplow
operations, and improves ridability.
A recommendation will be made at the end of the evaluation
study on whether the product should be approved for listing
in PennDOT Publication 447.
|
| |
| Lab
Evaluation & Specification Development for Geogrids for
Highway Engineering Applications |
Duration |
June 2006 - March 2007 |
Sponsor |
PennDOT |
Investigators |
G. Chehab (PI), A.
Palomino (Co-PI) |
Sponsor
Contact |
|
Scope |
The main focus of this
project will be to provide a uniform testing procedure for
geogrids in highway applications, with specifications and
guidelines for PennDOT use. The goals are to (1) identify
and synthesize the current state of knowledge and practice,
(2) identify and test the limiting criteria dominating geogrid
performance-based testing, and (3) produce repeatable specification
and testing guidelines for assessing geogrid materials.
The project will commence by reviewing and synthesizing uses,
specifications, and test methods for geogrid applications
to highway construction. Index, performance benchmark testing,
and accelerated pavement testing will be conducted. Anticipated
failure modes and critical geogrid properties will be indentifed.
Baseline values and limiting criteria will be verified and,
if necessary, modified based on index and performance-based
testing of selected geogrid products. An attempt will be made
to correlate critical parameters and performance. |
| |
| Using
the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide for RAP Mixtures |
Duration |
August 2005 - August
2006 |
Sponsor |
RMRC Project 9-University
of New Hampshire |
Investigators |
G. Chehap (PI) |
Sponsor
Contact |
|
Scope |
The purpose of this
project will be to evaluate the predicted field performance
of RAP mixtures for using the Level 1 and Level 3 analysis
of the ME PDG. The research team will conduct the necessary
material characterization of RAP-modified mixtures to obtain
the material inputs needed for the ME PDG runs for both Level
1 and Level 3 analysis. The obtained mixture properites along
with structure, traffic, and environmental imputs of selected
pavement sections in Pennsylvania and New Hampshire will be
used i the ME PDG software to predict the performance of those
pavements. Mixtures with various RAP percentages will be used
as part of the experimental program in an effort to study
the correlation between the RAP content and predicted performance.
Additionally, the research tasks will identify the feasibility
of implementing the ME PDG software in its current format
for RAP modified mixtures, and address the problems and shortcomings
associated with such implementation. |
| |
| Evaluation
Study Of FastTack® Emulsion for Tack Coat Applications |
Duration |
June 2006 - August
2006 |
Sponsor |
Whitaker Roads Corporation
and PennDOT |
Investigators |
G. Chehab (PI) |
Sponsor
Contact |
|
Scope |
The overall purpose
of this study is to determine whether the FastTack emulsion
product meets the PennDOT specification for bituminous tack
coat products and evaluate its field performance. FastTack
is a proprietary bituminous tack coat/product that utilizes
the unique and patented COLNET breaking process. The process
allows fast breaking of the emulsion thus speeding up the
paving operation and consequently increasing hot mix lay-down
production. |
| |
| Superpave
In-Situ Stress Strain Investigation (SISSI) |
| Duration |
May 2001
- Present |
| Sponsor |
Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT) |
| Investigators |
Dr. Mansour
Solaimanian (PI), Dr. Shelley Stoffels (Co-PI) |
| Sponsor
Contact |
Mr. Robert Garrett, PennDOT Bureau of Research
and Planning |
| Scope |
The SISSI project is to provide data that can
be used to validate the Superpave system. Furthermore, the
intensive laboratory testing and materials characterization,
detailed load-response information, traffic and environmental
data, and performance measures from these instrumented sections
will enable the verification and regional calibration of newly-developed
performance prediction models and pavement design guides.
(For more information, please click here.) |
| |
|
|
Preventive Maintenance on I-79 |
|
Duration |
June 2005 - May 2007 |
|
Sponsor |
Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT) |
|
Investigators |
Dr. Ghassan R. Chehab (PI), Dr. Shelley
Stoffels |
|
Sponsor Contact |
|
|
Scope |
The main focus of the project is to compare
the effectiveness of pavement preservation strategies for
secondary overlays of existing asphalt-overlaid concrete pavement.
The goal is to develop a new pavement preservation strategy
that will extend the life of existing composite pavements
in a cost effective manner. One primary enhancement to existing
strategies is the inclusion of a 2-inch Superpave binder layer
between the wearing and leveling courses. (TRB
2006 Poster) |
| |
|
|
Evaluation of FiberSeal and
FiberMat for Pavement Rehabilitation |
|
Duration |
June 2005
- June 2006 |
|
Sponsor |
Colas Group through Midland Asphalt
Materials Inc. |
|
Investigators |
Dr. Ghassan R. Chehab (PI) |
|
Sponsor Contact |
Mr. Martin Thompson, Midland Asphalt
Materials Inc., 716-692-0730 |
|
Scope |
The purpose of this evaluation study is to
evaluate the effectiveness of using FiberMat® and/or
FiberSeal® as part of bituminous rehabilitation
to minimize reflective and fatigue cracking on Pennsylvania
low-volume roadways. The study will comprise of laboratory
small scale testing, accelerated slab testing, and long-term
field evaluation of experimental road sections.
(FiberSeal
(TM) and FiberMAT (TM) installation video
| TESC
2006 Poster
| Additional videos: Test
Track 1; Test
Track 2). |
| |
|
|
Evaluation of ALGRIP Slip-Resistant
Plates for Pavement Applications |
|
Duration |
June 2005
to December 2005 |
|
Sponsor |
Ross Technology Corporation |
|
Investigators |
Dr. Ghassan R. Chehab |
|
Sponsor Contact |
Mr. Seth
Orbetz |
|
Scope |
The purpose of this study is to evaluate the
ALGRIP slip resistant plates, particularly: skid resistance
for dry and wet conditions, evaluating the degradation of
Algrip welds with respect to time under simulated traffic
loads; and comparing their performance to that of other similar
products. Tests to be conducted include: corrosion testing,
accelerated pavement testing (MMLS3), and friction testing
(British Pendulum Test). (TRB
2006 Poster) |
| |
|
|
Improved Conditioning Procedure for Predicting
the Moisture Susceptibility of HMA Pavements |
| Duration |
April
2002 - Present |
| Sponsor |
National Academies of Science, National Cooperative
Highway Research Program |
| Investigators |
Dr. Mansour
Solaimanian (PI) |
| Sponsor
Contact |
Mr. Edward Harrigan, Transportation
Research Board, 202-334-3232 |
| Scope |
This research has developed an integrated system
consisting of improved moisture susceptibility conditioning
procedure (ECS) for evaluating the moisture susceptibility
of compacted HMA in combination with the simple performance
test (SPT) validated in NCHRP Project 9-19. |
| |
|
|
Municipal Products Evaluation, Base Stabilization
with Foamed Asphalt |
| Duration |
June 2001
- March 2003 |
| Sponsor |
Pennsylvania
Department of Transportation (PennDOT) |
| Investigators |
Dr.
Mansour Solaimanian (PI) |
| Sponsor
Contact |
Mr. Patrick Sullivan, Chief, PennDOT Bureau
of Municipal Services, 717-783-1355 |
| Scope |
This project evaluated the suitability of foamed
asphalt for base stabilization. Two municipal low traffic
roads were selected for performance evaluation. The deteriorated
roads were milled, pulverized, and stabilized with foamed
asphalt bases and evaluated. |
The Transportation Infrastructure Program (TIP) at the Pennsylvania
Transportation Institute focuses on the analysis, design, behavior,
and evaluation of transportation-related structures. State-of-the-art
facilities enable a full range of scale and full-size testing of
steel, concrete, wood, masonry, and composite structures and subassemblies.,
including in-situ
bridge and structural monitoring and evaluation; load testing;
bridge instrumentation; and non-destructive evaluations. Expertise
includes testing and evaluation of the effects of materials, construction
practices, design parameters, static/dynamic/repeated loadings,
environmental effects and life-cycle costs.
