Implementation of Centrifuge Technology for Pavement Design on Expansive Clays – Phase 2

The Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) Pavement Manual establishes thresholds of the Potential Vertical Rise (PVR) that will not be exceeded in the design of roads founded on expansive clays (e.g., a maximum allowable PVR of 1.5 in. for main lanes). Using the PVR as an index, these thresholds have been established from field empirical evidence collected over decades to identify roads with excessive levels of distress triggered by the presence of expansive clays. However, there are two significant sources of uncertainty in the thresholds adopted by the Pavement Manual, which have heavily compromised roadway designs: (1) Inaccuracies in the determination of the PVR, the original version of which relies heavily on outdated data and correlations, and (2) Inconsistencies in the documentation of the levels of distress typical of roadways founded on expansive clays. TxDOT has developed technology for accurate determination of PVR and has also developed adequate protocols for roadway performance over expansive clays. The primary objective of this implementation project is to generate accurately determined PVR data and calibrate it against consistently obtained levels of roadway distress.

Language

  • English

Project

  • Status: Active
  • Funding: $939433
  • Contract Numbers:

    5-6048-07

  • Sponsor Organizations:

    Texas Department of Transportation

    125 E. 11th Street
    Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
  • Managing Organizations:

    Texas Department of Transportation

    125 E. 11th Street
    Austin, TX  United States  78701-2483
  • Project Managers:

    Jensen, Darrin

  • Performing Organizations:

    Center for Transportation Research

    3925 W. Braker Lane
    Austin, TX  United States  78759
  • Principal Investigators:

    Zornberg, Jorge

  • Start Date: 20231011
  • Expected Completion Date: 20270831
  • Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 01907070
  • Record Type: Research project
  • Source Agency: Texas Department of Transportation
  • Contract Numbers: 5-6048-07
  • Files: RIP, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Feb 6 2024 11:45AM