Embankment Quality Phase II Final Report, TR-401, 1999

(1999) Embankment Quality Phase II Final Report, TR-401, 1999. Transportation, Department of

[img]
Preview
PDF
IADOT_tr401phase2_Embankment_Quality_Phase_II_Final_1999.pdf

File Size:4MB
[img]
Preview
PDF
TR-401 Phase3 Copy2.pdf

File Size:10kB

Abstract

Phase II research included the following: (1) develop and evaluate alternative soil design and embankment construction specifications based on soil type, moisture, density, stability, and compaction process; (2) assess various quality control and acceptance procedures with a variety of in-situ test methods including the Dual-mass Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP); and (3) develop and design rapid field soil identification methods. At the start of the research, soils were divided into cohesive and cohesionless soil types, with each category being addressed separately. Cohesionless soils were designated as having less than 36% fines content (material passing the No. 200 sieve) and cohesive soils as having greater than 36% fines content. Subsequently, soil categories were refined based not only on fines content but soil plasticity as well. Research activities included observations of fill placement, in-place moisture and density testing, and dual-mass DCP index testing on several highway embankment projects throughout Iowa. Experiments involving rubber-tired and vibratory compaction, lift thickness changes, and disk aeration were carried out for the full range of Iowa soils. By testing for soil stability the DCP was found to be a valuable field tool for quality control, whereby shortcomings from density testing (density gradients) were avoided. Furthermore, critical DCP index values were established based on soil type and compaction moisture content.

Item Type: Departmental Report
Keywords: Acceptance tests, Cohesive soils, Cone penetrometers, Construction, Density, Embankments, Field tests, Fines (Materials), Granular soils, Moisture content, Plasticity, Quality control, Soil compaction, Soil tests, Specifications
Subjects: Transportation
Transportation > Materials
Transportation > Pipelines
Transportation > Roads and highways
Transportation > Design and Construction
ID Code: 17190
Deposited By: Iowa DOT Library
Deposited On: 10 Jun 2014 15:37
Last Modified: 24 Jan 2018 17:15
URI: https://publications.iowa.gov/id/eprint/17190