Research Highlighters and Reports - ODOT Office of Research & Implementation

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Open Access
DESIGN AND MONITORING OF NON PROPRIETARY UHPC JOINTS OF PRECAST ELEMENTS (FHWA-OK-23-01)
(2023-01) Floyd, Royce
This project included collection of UHPC connection details utilized by other states and examination of those details for applicability to use with the OU J3 non-proprietary UHPC, examination of different fiber sources and the effect of those fibers on properties of the OU J3 UHPC mix, consultation on and monitoring of UHPC projects in Oklahoma, and development of materials for using in training ODOT personnel relative to UHPC mix design and construction. UHPC connection details used in several different states were examined for applicability to use in Oklahoma with non-proprietary UHPC. The research team provided input on upcoming and ongoing bridge projects utilizing UHPC and UHPC connections in one ongoing project and several completed projects were monitored throughout the project. The steel fibers used in previous studies on locally developed J3 non-proprietary UHPC are no longer available and mechanical response and durability of J3 UHCP with varying fiber contents of a new source of straight steel microfibers and long hooked-end fibers intended for use in structural applications were measured. A series of PowerPoint presentations providing an introduction to UHPC, description of non-proprietary UHPC mix design, training on UHPC mixing, placement, and testing, and results of research on non-proprietary UHPC were prepared. These presentations were used to conduct two workshops and one free in-depth web training in conjunction with the Accelerated Bridge Construction University Transportation Center.
Open Access
THE USE OF RESISTIVITY TESTING FOR QUALITY CONTROL OF CONCRETE MIXTURES (FHWA-OK-20-03)
(2020-08) Hartell, Julie Ann; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
This study proposes a new quality control and compliance method for concrete mixture design using standard surface resistivity testing. This method helps in determining key mixture parameters such as fly ash content and w/cm of placed concrete. Based on the gain in resistivity over time, it was found that the slope of the surface resistivity versus time curve could be used to differentiate fly ash content. And, the resistivity value obtained at a sample age of 14 and 28 days could be used for identifying the water-to-cementitious material ratio of a concrete mixture containing no fly ash and containing up to 20% fly ash. Several other parameters such as, aggregate type and admixture addition are also evaluated for their effect on the outcome of a resistivity test. The proposed resistivity method could be used as a means for quality acceptance of mixture design during the construction stage. Three methodologies (Procedure A, B and C) for OkDOT Classes A and AA concrete mixtures are developed and trialed as part of a field study. In addition, the influence of laboratory ambient temperature and curing temperature was also investigated. It was found that if resistivity testing is performed in a standard temperature-controlled environment, resistivity variances are negligible. Finally, with all quality control material testing, an alternative test method is investigated in the event the primary lab specimen fails to meet the specification. The secondary compliance testing method targets the adequacy of concrete constructed onsite. In the end, the outcomes of the project can aid a DOT in devising a strategy for implementation of the resistivity method. The new tool enables control of placed concrete with respect to the approved mixture design.
Open Access
UTILIZING PAVEMENT FRICTION AND TEXTURE DATA FOR THE REDUCTION OF TRAFFIC CRASHES AND DELAYS (FHWA-OK-21-01)
(2021-03) Li, Joshua Q.; Wang, Kelvin; Liu, Wenyao; Yu, Wenying; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
This project presented an integral process to include skid performance of different preventive treatments and their safety benefits into the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of pavements. Extensive data sets from several ODOT database systems were processed and analyzed. An enhanced safety performance function (SPF) was developed and the friction deterioration models were established for common treatments in Oklahoma. A spreadsheet VBA tool was programmed to combine the model results for the prediction of friction variations and their expected crash frequency. The safety costs were then integrated into the tool, and a case study was provided to demonstrate the proposed LCCA procedure. The outcomes of this study could result in significant benefits to reduce traffic fatalities, serious injuries, and traffic delays.
Open Access
EVALUATION OF ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE FOR USE IN BRIDGE CONNECTIONS AND REPAIR (FHWA-OK-21-03)
(2020-02) Floyd, Royce W.; Volz,Jeffery S.; Funderburg, Chandler K.; McDaniel, Amy S.; Looney, Trevor; Choate, Jake; Roswurm, Stephen; Casey, Connor; Coleman, Raina; Leggs, Maranda; Vuth Chea, Kim Serey; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The project described in this report evaluated available proprietary ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC) materials and UHPC mix designs made with local materials for applicability to bridge joint installation and repair in Oklahoma and developed recommendations for continued usage of UHPC in bridge construction in Oklahoma. Phase 1 of the project developed a promising UHPC mix design, J3, using local materials. Two specific applications of UHPC were considered: deck slab joints and girder continuity connections. Initial investigation of deck slab joint details was conducted using small-scale flexural specimens to evaluate bond strength between UHPC and base concrete. Laboratory-scale full-depth joints were cast and tested using both the proprietary UHPC material and the OU developed J3 mix design. Laboratory scale UHPC connections for live load continuity between precast girders were also designed and tested to failure. Two different connection details were used, one representing new construction and one representing retrofit of an existing structure. A field test involving retrofit of an existing expansion joint with UHPC joint headers was conducted on a bridge identified in conjunction with ODOT and was monitored for almost three years. Phase 2 involved slab testing for a partial depth slab joint detail, examination of reinforcement bond, and durability testing of both proprietary and non-proprietary UHPC. UHPC bond to concrete substrate was also examined for different surface preparations and base concrete saturation levels. The findings of the research indicate that UHPC provides improved performance relative to conventional materials for the applications tested and the J3 mix design exhibits similar performance to proprietary UHPC.
Open Access
EVALUATION OF ULTRA-HIGH PERFORMANCE CONCRETE, FIBER REINFORCED SELF-CONSOLIDATING CONCRETE, AND MALP CONCRETE FOR PRESTRESSED GIRDER REPAIR (FHWA-OK-21-03)
(2021-02) Floyd, Royce W.; Volz, Jeffery S.; Looney, Trevor; Mesigh, Michael; Ahmadi, Mujtaba; Roswurm,Stephen; Huynh, Phuoc; Manwarren, Michelle; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Ultra-high performance concrete (UHPC), fiber-reinforced self-consolidating concrete, and magnesium alumino-liquid-phosphate (MALP) concrete all have significant potential for use in bridge repair in Oklahoma. The project described in this report examined the use of these materials in repairs of prestressed concrete girder continuity connections and beam end regions including both experimental testing and field implementation. Bond between the repair materials and conventional concrete and corrosion behavior were examined for each repair material. Twelve composite beam and continuity joint specimens were damaged and repaired using FR-SCC, MALP concrete, and UHPC. All repair materials restored capacity of the joints. Six girder specimens were loaded to failure in shear and repaired using FR-SCC, MALP concrete, and UHPC. Repaired specimens exhibited similar performance for all three repair materials and measured capacities exceeded those for the original beams in all cases. The soffit of the bridge deck cantilevers on the S.H. 3 bridge over Fulton Creek in Beaver County, Oklahoma was repaired using pneumatically placed MALP mortar and the repairs were monitored over time. Some difficulties were encountered in placing the material, but the repair exhibited good performance over time. The continuity joints on the U.S. 183/412 bridge over Wolf Creek in Fort Supply, Oklahoma were replaced using UHPC and load tests indicated the repair reestablished continuity.
Open Access
VEHICLE CLASSIFICATION AND BLUETOOTH MACS FOR ORIGIN-DESTINATION MEASUREMENTS (FHWA-OK-19-04 2282)
(2019-09) Refai, Hazem; Afify, Mohamed; Chan, Samuel; Alsallakh, Munzer; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The U.S. Department of Transportation (USDOT) is actively researching intelligent transportation systems (ITS) aimed at reducing traffic incidents, improving safety, and gathering real-time travel time (TT) information. An important aspect of the process is specifying the characteristics of traffic schemes, which include vehicle classification, origin/destination (O/D), TT, and vehicle occupancy, in addition to other factors. The project proposes the development of an Internet of Things (IoT) systems that integrates a complex system using Bluetooth (BT) sniffing and vehicle classification for monitoring route choices per vehicle class. The system consists of a BT identification unit deployed at an Oklahoma port of entry, along with a number of BT identification stations deployed at various locations across Oklahoma’s roadways. As vehicles travel over the magnetometer nodes, the changes in magnetic field are measured to identify vehicle length and speed. Algorithms were developed to associate detected BT addresses to the corresponding vehicles with exceptional accuracy. Research demonstrated that active monitoring of route choice and TT per vehicle class can be achieved using magnetometer nodes and BT stations.
Open Access
CONTINUOUS FRICTION MEASUREMENT EQUIPMENT (CFME) FOR HIGHWAY SAFETY MANAGEMENT IN OKLAHOMA (FHWA-OK-20-02 2306)
(2020-01) Li, Joshua Q.; Wang, Kelvin; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
An important part of the pavement friction management (PFM) process is the selection of the most appropriate friction measuring equipment. In this project, the capabilities of the Grip Tester, a type of continuous friction measurement (CFME) device, and its ability to provide information to support PFM programs were evaluated based on comprehensive field data collection. Various statistical and comparisons analyses were performed, suggesting that CFME can acquire repeatable and reproducible friction profiles. The friction measurements from the Grip Tester and the locked-wheel skid trailer were tested to be statistically correlated. In addition, several potential implementations of CFME data were discussed for PFM and highway safety applications.
Open Access
DEVELOPMENT OF RATING TOOL FOR PRESTRESSED CONCRETE BRIDGES VULNERABLE TO SHEAR (FHWA-OK-20-01 Revision 1 2280)
(2020-01) Floyd, Royce W.; Pei, Jin-Song; Murray, Cameron D.; Toshima, John; Ali, Afnan; Roswurm, Stephen; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
A study was conducted examining the factors affecting shear capacity and load rating, two potential methods for assessing condition of in-service prestressed concrete bridge girders, and a simple procedure for assessing whether and how a bridge should be rated for shear was developed. First, a detailed literature review was conducted to collect results of experimental shear testing on older prestressed concrete girders and the comparison of those results to capacity calculation methods. This was followed by a parametric study to examine the effect of different design items on load distribution and the difference between AASHTO load distribution equations and grillage models for more than two hundred different bridge configurations. Two methods for assessing condition of in-service girders were examined and further refined. The results of previous shear testing and the grillage model parametric study indicate that there may be conservativism built in when AASHTO load distribution factors are used that leaves open the possibility of increased load ratings for some older bridges. Using a grillage model can increase load ratings, reducing the potential need to load post or take some bridges out of service without sacrificing accuracy and safety. The proposed procedure uses a set of simple criteria to identify bridges potentially vulnerable to shear and modifications to the typical rating procedure to produce an accurate shear rating.
Open Access
FEASIBILITY STUDY OF GRS SYSTEMS FOR BRIDGE ABUTMENTS IN OKLAHOMA: INFLUENCE OF FACING AND AGGREGATE FILL ON PERFORMANCE (FHWA-OK-19-09 2262)
(2020-01) Hatami, Kianoosh; Doger, Ridvan; Boutin, Jérome; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
This document reports a study where load-bearing capacity, deformations and construction speed of different GRS abutment models were compared in the laboratory at full scale. Six 8 ft-high, instrumented abutment models were constructed inside an outdoor test station in order to study the influences that the choice of facing type, reinforcement spacing, fill aggregate and compaction effort could have on the structural performance and construction speed of GRS bridge abutments in the field. Results of the study show that even though facing is not considered a structural member in GRS bridge abutments, the choice of facing can influence their structural performance and construction speed. Models with large block facing tested in this study (i.e. Models #2 and #3) were easier to compact during construction and consistently showed smaller deformations relative to the control model (Model #1). The influence of backfill compaction on the structural performance of GRS abutments is also demonstrated and quantified. It is shown that models built using the recommended compaction effort (i.e. Models #4 and #5) are significantly stiffer relative to their settlement under the loading beam (simulating bridge load) and facing lateral deformation when compared to the control model with reduced compaction effort (Model #1).
Open Access
COMPILATION OF LOCAL STUDIES AND REGIONAL CALIBRATION OF PAVEMENT ME DESIGN FOR RIGID AND FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS IN OKLAHOMA (FHWA-OK-19-08 2277)
(2019-11) Sakhaeifar, Maryam S.; Tabesh, Mahmood; Newcomb, David; Lytton, Robert; Zollinger, Dan; Issa, Issa Mahmoud; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design software was developed as an advanced pavement design tool based on the mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG). The existing performance prediction models utilized in this design guide are nationally calibrated, and it is essential to calibrate these models based on the specific regional materials and environmental conditions and pavement performance information. In this study, the Pavement ME design prediction models were calibrated using local inputs and performance data for the state of Oklahoma. Also, to facilitate using Pavement ME, an interface software named INput ME was developed. This software can be used to process and compile the required pavement ME input data based on the Oklahoma material, traffic, and climate properties gathered from long term pavement performance and Oklahoma and national cooperative highway research program datasets. The material input data were evaluated, and the most accurate available data was selected. The predictions from distress and international roughness index (IRI) models were evaluated and compared with the measured distress values, and the accuracy and bias of each model were determined. The nationally calibrated models showed large errors and significant bias values, which asserts the need for local calibration. The locally calibrated coefficients for the distress and IRI models for the Oklahoma pavement system were determined. The predictions from calibrated models show that the use of calibrated coefficients improves the accuracy of the pavement ME predictions and the design of flexible pavements in Oklahoma.
Open Access
ASSET VALUE PRACTICES AND FUNCTIONALITY (FHWA-OK-19-07 2283)
(2020-01) Bittner, Jason; Silber, Hannah; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Providing a better understanding of the value of the State of Oklahoma’s transportation assets as well as the maintenance activities necessary to keep them in a state of good repair is a key component of sustainable long-term asset management. This report enhances asset management planning efforts to better meet Federal requirements by providing a variety of approaches to valuation of transportation assets. The project also included a state of the practice review, a literature assessment, and a workshop and training overview of how to apply a variety of approaches. Losses to state highway functionality over time were categorized and examined to assess what actions can help preserve, reestablish, improve and enhance functionality in the future as a means to also evaluate the transportation network. The project identified ways to influence functionality of transportation assets, enhance safety and reduce future maintenance and investment expenditures. Ultimately, this effort detailed alternative approaches to business processes in Oklahoma with respect to asset management strategies and practices. Some further research is needed to determine if the new approaches would be worth the level of effort to launch new practices.
Open Access
LONG TERM PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE MONITORING OF SIX LTPP SPS-10 SECTIONS IN OKLAHOMA WITH 3D LASER IMAGING (FHWA-OK-19-05 2115)
(2019-12) Wang, Kelvin; Li, Joshua Q; Yang, Gary Guangwei; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Under the LTPP Specific Pavement Study 10 (SPS-10) experiment initiative, the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) constructed five warm mix asphalt (WMA) testing sections and one hot mix asphalt (HMA) control section. In this project several art-of-the-state instruments were used to collect a comprehensive array of pavement surface characteristics data. The data collection was performed biannually for five years for long term field performance evaluation. It is demonstrated that four of the five WMA sites exhibit comparable performance as compared to that of the HMA section, in terms of pavement cracking, rutting,and roughness. In addition, aggregate properties and mixture design show impacts on pavement macrotexture and skid resistance properties.
Open Access
DEVELOPMENT OF INTELLIGENT VEHICLE COUNTING AND CLASSIFICATION SENSOR (iVCCS) (FHWA-OK-19-03 2303)
(2019-10) Refai, Hazem; Muhammad, Siraj; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The Internet of Things (IoT) is reshaping our world. Soon our lives will be based on smart technologies. According to IHS Markit forecasts, the number of connected devices will grow from 15.4 billion in 2015 to 30.7 billion in 2020. Forrester Research reports that fleet management and transportation sectors lead others in IoT growth. This may come as no surprise, since infrastructure (e.g., roadways, bridges, airports,) is a prime candidate for sensor integration, providing real-time measurements to support intelligent decisions. This report presents the design, development, and implementation for a novel, autonomous, and intelligent wireless sensor for various traffic surveillance applications.Research activities advanced three generations of the proposed sensor, each adding intelligence, performance, accuracy, and lifetime to its predecessor.The first generation serves a proof-of-concept design/implementation of a novel, fully-autonomous, intelligent wireless sensor for real-time traffic surveillance. Multi-disciplinary, innovative integration of state-of-the-art, ultra-low-power embedded systems; smart physical sensors; and wireless sensor networks, coupled with intelligent algorithms will address component composition of the developed platform, namely Intelligent Vehicle Counting and Classification Sensor (iVCCS). Second generation(G)iVCCS introduced algorithms for optimizing power consumption and were based on an event-driven methodology wherein a control block orchestrates the work of various components and subsystems powered by a reinforcement learning algorithm .iVCCS third G incorporated advanced wireless communication capabilities via Bluetooth Low Energy 5 (BLE 5) with higher data rates, long-range operation, and over-the-air firmware upgrades.The data storage unit has been upgraded with anon-board flash array, and the power management subsystem has been simplified by eliminating energy harvesting.The sensor is now powered by a high capacity (i.e., 10000 mAh), ultra-wide-range operating temperatures and compact size batteries that use Lithium-Thionyl chemistries.
Open Access
IMPROVING THE EFFICIENCY AND ACCURACY OF ODOT TEMPORARY TRAFFIC MONITORING SYSTEM (FHWA-OK-19-02 2301)
(2019-09) Refai, Hazem; Kaleia, Muhanad Shab; Najumadeen, Mohamat Eirban Ali Bin Kaja; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Vehicle detection, counting, and classification are key for not only improving road designs and maintenance, but also driver safety. In pursuit of these objectives, the authors proposed an automated system for collecting temporary vehicle data (e.g., count, speed, vehicle classification based on axles, collection date and time, among other factors). The framework is composed of three main components: 1) an inexpensive portable sensor for counting and classifying vehicles; 2) an Android app to easily calibrate the sensor on-site and fetch collected sensor data; and 3) a server that leverages wireless communication and cloud technology for processing and presenting data. A first-phase system was deployed and tested by Oklahoma Department of Transportation. A project extension further developed and debugged the system and validated functionality. The two-year extension includes server maintenance and support for the Traffic Counting and Monitoring System web service and android application.
Open Access
IMPLEMENT BALANCED ASPHALT MIX DESIGN IN OKLAHOMA (FHWA-OK-19-01 2305)
(2019-08) Cross, Stephen A.; Li, Joshua; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The objective of this study was to evaluate selected ODOT mixtures to assist with determining test procedures, specifications and special provisions for evaluation and eventual adaptation of a BMD procedure for ODOT. The test plan was developed by ODOT and consisted of evaluating I-FIT test results from 31 existing mixes and I-FIT and Ideal CT Index tests from nine mixes from three ODOT projects. The nine mixes consisted of three control mixes and six BMD mixes. Testing was performed by ODOT and a consultant laboratory on plant produced field sampled materials. There were inconsistent results from the testing within and between the data sets. BMD mixes differed from control mixes by the addition of RAP, increased VMA and increased asphalt content. Many ofthese high VMA BMD mixes collapsed in the field resulting in void properties below specification limits.
Open Access
IMPLEMENTATION OF PESTICIDE APPLICATOR CERTIFICATION SCHOOLS AND CONTINUING EDUCATION WORKSHOPS (FHWA-OK-18-03)
(Nov-18) Martin, Dennis; Underwood, James R.; Nelson, Caroline; Payne, Andrea; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Initial pesticide applicator training schools, certification testing, sprayer calibration workshops and on-going yearlycontinuing education sessions comprise the herbicideapplicator training programof theOklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT). Six pesticide applicatorcertification schools were conducted by Oklahoma State University (OSU) extension staff in early 2018 to train a total of97ODOT participants.Ninety-one of the attendees atthese workshops passed the Core exam(93.8% pass rate). Of these 91 staff, 79 staff passed the category 6right-of-wayexam (86.8% pass rate). Overall, 79 of 97 staffthat participated in the 2018 certification training schoolspassed both the core and category 6 exams yielding an 81.4%overall success rate in producing category 6 certified applicators inspring of 2018. Inspring 2018, 616ODOT staffwere providedwith pesticide applicator continuing education trainingat 13 on-site workshopsand 3additional applicatorsreceivedceu training in one webinarin August 2018. Records ofODOT personnelparticipatingin the CEU programs were furnished to ODAFFas well asthe ODOT Field Divisiontraining representatives.Participants gainedCEUcredits and knowledge on various Integrated Pest Management (IPM)and Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) topicsincluding plant identification, contemporary pesticideissues, pesticide fate, meso-scale weathermonitoring, as well assuggested products/programs for roadside weed and brush control. Increasedknowledge of the participants should insure continued effective vegetation management skills.
Open Access
RECYCLING AND REUSE OF MATERIALS IN TRANSPORTATION PROJECTS —CURRENT STATUS AND POTENTIAL OPPORTUNITIES INCLUDING EVALUATION OF RCA CONCRETE PAVEMENTS ALONG AN OKLAHOMA INTERSTATE HIGHWAY (FHWA-OK-18-04)
(Dec-18) Mukhopadhyay, Anol; Shi, Xijun; Zollinger, Dan; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) is committed to protect and enhance human and natural environment while developing a safe, economical, and effective transportation system. The first objective of this research was to evaluate the availability of the recycled materials and develop strategies for increasing use of recycled materials in ODOT transportation construction projects. In this objective, an extensive literature search was conducted to acquire information pertaining to properties, current practices, and available field investigations of the commonly used recycled materials. Use of recycled concrete aggregate in concrete paving mixtures (RCA-CPM) was determined to be the major focus in this research as applications of RCA-CPM by ODOT and other DOTs have been reported as a sustainable and durable construction practice. Subsequently, a review of the key findings pertaining to RCA material properties and effects of RCA on portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) performance was performed. Additionally, a life cycle assessment addressing all the three aspects of sustainability (i.e., economic, social, and environmental) was performed to do a comparative assessment between RCA-PCCP and plain PCCP and project the benefits of using RCA-CPM. The second objective was to evaluate the long-term performance of existing PCCP made with RCA in Oklahoma. A jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) and a continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) section were selected and evaluated through various tests covering different aspects, which includes visual survey, determination of mechanical properties, petrographic examination, and evaluation of the existing base through falling weight deflectometer (FWD). From the lab and field studies, it was verified that good base support, strong load transfer, and shorter joint spacing are essential design considerations for JPCP made of RCA-PCC. CRCP using effective anti-corrosion measures might be more suitable for implementing RCA-PCC; CRCP could better protect the base from erosion caused by higher differential energy and help restrain high drying and thermal volume change of RCA-PCC.
Open Access
DEVELOPMENT OF AGGREGATE CHARACTERISTICS-BASED PREVENTIVE MAINTENANCE TREATMENTS USING 3D LASER IMAGING AND AGGREGATE IMAGING TECHNOLOGY FOR OPTIMIZED SKID RESISTANCE OF PAVEMENTS (FHWA-18-05)
(Jun-19) Li, Joshua Q; Pittenger, Dominique; Wang, Kelvin; Zama, Musharraf; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The objective of this study was to assess the skid resistance performance of pavements in Oklahoma following preventive maintenance treatments. The assessment method employed herein was based on physical aggregate properties and economics in an optimal manner. Several state-of-the-art laboratory and field instruments were used to collect data on aggregate morphology, and 3D surface texture and skid resistance of pavements. The impacts of aggregate characteristics on the skid resistance of pavements were also investigated and used in developing deterioration models and life cycle cost analysis.
Open Access
Overturning Forces at Bridge Abutments and the Interaction of Horizontal Forces from Adjacent Roadways (FHWA-OK-17-03)
(Jan-18) Muraleetharan, K.K.; Miller, Gerald; Floyd, Royce; Zhang, Bo; Taghavi, Amirata; Bounds, Tommy; Bright, Zachary; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
ODOT is experiencing a number of problems related to the interactions between bridge abutments and adjacent roadways. These problems include expansion joints closing, roller support bearings tilting, and beams pushing against abutment backwalls. Design, construction, repair, and maintenance guidelines to alleviate adverse effects of interactions between ODOT bridge abutments (non-integral), bridge decks, and adjacent roadways are developed based on field observations, instrumentation of selected bridges, and computer simulations. Three bridges were selected for detailed instrumentation including measurements of strains at various locations of approach slabs, approach pavements, and bridge decks; relative displacements between approach slabs and approach pavements; relative tilt of the abutment backwalls and pier caps; and temperatures at various locations over a period of seven years. At two of these bridges, measurements were also made before and after repairs. In addition, strains near newly installed expansion joints on five other bridges were monitored. The observed distresses were classified into two main categories. One related to rigid approach pavements exerting pressures on the bridges and the other related to lateral displacements from tall approach embankments early in the life of the bridges. A 4-inch pressure relief joint installed on an approach pavement was found to relieve bridge stresses caused by a rigid approach pavement. Providing expansion joints on rigid approach pavements at regular intervals, maintaining expansion joints on bridges and pavements, and geotechnical analyses to calculate lateral displacements from tall approach embankments during the design phase are some of the recommendations made to prevent or remediate the observed distresses.
Open Access
Implementation of Pesticide Applicator Certification Schools and Continuing Education Workshops (FHWA-OK-18-01)
(Jan-18) Martin, Dennis L.; Oklahoma Department of Transportation. Materials and Research Division. Office of Research & Implementation
The herbicide applicator training program of the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) consists of initial pesticide applicator training schools, certification testing, sprayer calibration workshops and on-going yearly continuing education sessions. Four pesticide applicator certification schools were conducted by Oklahoma State University (OSU) extension staff in fall of 2016 to train a total of 84 ODOT participants. Eightythree of the attendees at these workshops took the Core exam with 60 people eventually passing for a 72.3% overall success rate in passing the core exam. Sixty-three people tested for certification in category 6 (right of way) while 53 people passed that exam yielding an eventual 84.1% pass rate. Overall, 53 of 83 people eventually passed both the core and category 6 exams yielding a 63.9% overall success rate in producing category 6 certified applicators in 2016. In 2017, 665 Certified Applicators were providing with certified pesticide applicator continuing education training. Records of participation in ODAFF approved CEU programs by ODOT personnel were furnished to ODAFF as well as the ODOT Field Divisions, the Maintenance Division Headquarters and the Materials and Research Division. Participants gained CEU credits and knowledge on various Integrated Pest Management (IPM) and Integrated Vegetation Management (IVM) products, topics and techniques. This increase or maintained operational knowledge of the participants should insure continued effective vegetation management skills.