RES2023-27: Internal Project: Regional Rollout of the Super Air Meter (SAM) and Surface Resistivity (SR) for Performance Engineered Mixture Initiative

Performance Engineered Mixture (PEM) initiatives have been the primary focus of concrete research for some time. To date, PEM has targeted projects that further the use of concrete pavements, which does not have a direct impact on the Tennessee Department of Transportation's (TDOT) concrete program. TDOT has partnered with multiple Tennessee universities over the years to build knowledge on the emerging PEM testing requirements. Two projects concluded over the years that support similar acceptance program changes nationwide - Enhancing Freeze-Thaw Resistance of Tennessee Concrete Mixes through Improved Air Void Testing (RES2020-09)/12) conducted by the University of Tennessee - Knoxville (UTK) and Determining Concrete Chloride Permeability Rapidly and Effectively (RES2013-47)(3) conducted by Tennessee Technological University (TTU) understanding of the use of the SAM unit on TDOT mixtures. One of the challenges that this project faced included a limited dataset versus the initial proposed target. Focus from this project skewed attention to eastern Regions of Tennessee. To remedy this shortcoming, TDOT needs to focus its own efforts into data collection statewide. RES2013-41 researched hardened concrete permeability. Rapid Chloride Permeability (RCP) Testing (ASTM C1202)(5) is an accepted method for determining permeability susceptibility. However, it is costly and highly variable upon repeat attempts. During this study, the Surface Resistivity (SR) Test (AASHTO T 358)6 was determined to have similar results to the RCP test for a fraction of the cost. This test allows TDOT to quickly test the resistance as a means of determining permeability. More data is necessary to see where TDOT concrete mixtures stand statewide and whether the observed values compare to the recommended SR values in RES2013-41. Attention to facilitating the growth of Tennessee-specific data set and analyzing the dataset is a critical component in rolling these units out for acceptance testing purposes.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/research/researchsummary/res2023/RES%202023-27%20-%20One%20Pager.pdf
• Record URL:
  • https://www.tn.gov/content/dam/tn/tdot/research/final-reports/2023-final-reports-and-summaries/RES2023-27%20Final%20Report%20Approved.pdf

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $175,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  RES2023-27

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Managing Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Mellons, Jason

• Performing Organizations:

  Tennessee Department of Transportation

  James K. Polk Building
  Fifth and Deaderick Street
  Nashville, TN  United States  37243-0349
• Principal Investigators:

  Hampton, Chris

  Lacy, Tyler

• Start Date: 20230801
• Expected Completion Date: 20241231
• Actual Completion Date: 20241231
• USDOT Program: Advanced Materials/Structural Safety
• USDOT Program: Advanced Research
• USDOT Program: Behavioral Safety Research
• Subprogram: Advanced Materials

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Admixtures; Concrete pavements; Data collection; Engineered materials; Mix design; Paving materials
• Identifier Terms: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Geographic Terms: Tennessee
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941956
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Tennessee Department of Transportation
• Contract Numbers: RES2023-27
• Files: RIP, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Jan 8 2025 11:39AM