摘要: |
The primary objectives of the pooled fund project described herein will be: (1) Constructing 200 ft test sections on the existing 1.7 mile National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT) test oval and Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnRoad) that are representative of in-service roadways on the open transportation infrastructure; (2) Applying accelerated performance truck traffic in the 2 years following construction; (3) Assessing/comparing the functional and structural field performance of trafficked sections on a regular basis via surface and subsurface measures; (4) Validating/calibrating new and existing mechanistic-empirical (M-E) approaches to pavement analysis and design using pavement surface condition, pavement load response, precise traffic and environmental logging, and cumulative damage; September 2, 2011 (5) Determining the life cycle cost of various pavement preservation alternatives in a highly controlled experiment that will provide state departments of transportation (DOTs) with the financial foundation to begin to build a decision tree for their own maintenance program. These types of programs are then refined over time using actual pavement management performance data; (6) Correlating field results with laboratory data for both mechanistic and preservation applications. Laboratory performance data that can predict preservation outcomes would provide DOTs with an additional mechanism for making rational selection decisions; and (7) Answering practical questions posed by research sponsors through formal (i.e., reports and technical papers) and informal (e.g., one-on-one responses to sponsor inquiries) technology transfer. For example, can high recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) content mixes provide the same level of performance as virgin mixes? If so, can they be used in both deep and shallow layers? Although warm mix is better for the environment, will it provide the same level of rut and moisture damage resistance as conventional mixes? |