Abstract:
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) has been placing 3/4-inch nominal maximum aggregate size (NMAS) open-graded wearing courses (OGWCs) in structural layers of 2 inches or more for about 30 years. Despite this, OGWC performance in the Pacific Northwest is not well understood. This study determined the use and performance of ODOT OGWCs, with special attention given to 3/4-inch open-graded HMA (previously referred to as "F-Mix") and recommends guidelines for the future use of OGWCs. The best estimated service life of ODOT 3/4-inch open-graded HMA ranges from 14 years (<5,000 ADT) down to 7 years (>100,000 ADT), which is less than comparable dense-graded mixes. The primary mode of distress is raveling and studded tire wear. Reduced service life, uncertain and unquantified safety benefits, and a possible greater risk of early failure lead to a recommendation to discontinue use of 3/4-inch open-graded HMA in Oregon as a standard surface mix. OGWCs used elsewhere in the U.S. are not likely suited for ODOT use because of their susceptibility to studded tire wear and are not recommended for adoption. If 3/4-inch open-graded HMA does continue in use, recommendations are as follows: (1) quantify its benefits, (2) restrict its use to low traffic (<30,000 ADT), (3) re-calibrate PMS expected life to be more in line with observed historical life, and (4) require the use of a windrow pick-up machine or end-dump transfer machine when paving OGWC.

Authors:
Muench, S.T., Weiland, C., Hatfield, J., Wallace, L.K.

Keywords:
Open-graded, hot mix asphalt, pavements, pavement performance

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Abstract:
This study used the HDM-4 software to test the average annual daily traffic (AADT) and equivalent single axle load (ESAL) levels appropriate as criteria for selecting the application of bituminous surface treatments (BST) to WSDOT pavements. It verified the feasibility of using BSTs to maintain pavements with higher traffic levels than have been applied in the past. It also determined the validity of alternating the application of BST resurfacings and 45-mm hot mix asphalt overlays. In addition, the research estimated the impacts that increased use of BST surfaces would have on the performance of the state-owned route system. The basic recommendations are as follows: • ADT of up to 2,000: Apply BSTs unless they are specifically exempted (such as paving through cities, limited BST routes, etc.). • ADT of 2,000 to 4,000: Apply a combination of BST and HMA overlays used interchangeably, depending upon pavement condition. Exemptions are allowed for paving through cities, limited BST routes, etc. • ADT of greater than 4,000: Apply HMA overlays. This report is the first of two planned for the study.

Authors:
Li, J., Mahoney,J .P., Muench, S.T., Pierce, L.M.

Keywords:
Pavement management systems, pavement performance, computer models, pavement maintenance, bituminous overlays, overlay, Asphalt Concrete pavement

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Abstract:
The majority of the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements have far exceeded their original design lives and have carried several times the traffic loading originally anticipated. WSDOT is undertaking a major effort to identify both rehabilitation and reconstruction projects to improve its PCC pavements. This project was performed to estimate WSDOT\'s concrete pavement performance. The current PCC pavement conditions were thoroughly analyzed. Two major groups of concrete pavement deterioration models were systematically studied: HDM-4 and NCHRP 1-37A. NCHRP 1-37A models proved to be more suitable for WSDOT conditions. The calibrated faulting and roughness models are able to present the typical performance of WSDOT PCC pavements. These models can be used to assist WSDOT in developing a plan for rehabilitating or reconstructing these pavements.

Authors:
Li, J., Muench, S.T., Mahoney, J.P., Pierce, L., Sivaneswaran, N.

Keywords:
Pavement management, pavement performance, pavement deterioration models, dowel bar retrofit, WSPMS, HDM-4, NCHRP 1-37A, roughness, spalling, transverse cracking, longitudinal cracking, faulting

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Abstract:
This project performed extensive study and systematic research on the application of the Highway Development and Management system (HDM-4) to the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) highway system. Data processing, testing, calibration, and analysis were executed to provide the WSDOT with a new budget planning tool. HDM-4 flexible pavement deterioration models were calibrated with the assistance of the Washington State Pavement Management System. A method to calibrate concrete pavement distress models is proposed. This research also explored the application of HDM-4 analysis at the project, program, and strategic levels. The applications include prediction of pavement conditions during a defined analysis period, calculation of required budgets for optimal pavement conditions and maximum economic indicators, establishment of optimized work programs under varying levels of constrained budgets, and other applications for WSDOT.

Authors:
Li, J., Muench, S.T., Mahoney, J.P., Pierce, L., Sivaneswaran, N.

Keywords:
HDM-4, models, pavement maintenance, pavement management, pavement performance, Pavement preservation, vehicle operating costs, research, highway, development, management, management system, Washington, Washington state, transportation, WSDOT, data, calibration, analysis, planning, pavement, deterioration, concrete, program, applications, prediction, condition, indicators

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External Links: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/588.1.pdf http://wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/500/588.1.htm

Abstract:
This research was Phase III of field investigations carried out over 12 years at a test section in southwest Washington State in an effort to quantify the contribution of geotextile separators to the long-term performance of pavement sections. Five different geotextile separators, as well as a control (soil-only) section, were installed in a test section covering two lanes with different base course thicknesses on a low volume but heavily loaded rural highway west of Bucoda, Wash. Phase I evaluated the performance of the separators during construction. Phases II and III were conducted to evaluate the performance of the separators 5 and 12 years after construction, respectively. Field and laboratory tests were conducted on the subgrade, granular base materials, and the geotextiles as part of the effort to correlate the performance of the pavement section to the presence of the geotextile separators. Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) testing was also performed at the site as part of the effort to quantify the performance of the pavement section. The laboratory tests indicated that the geotextiles successfully performed their separation function over the 12-year period. However, the soil-only sections had a minimal amount of intermixing at the base course/subgrade interface, indicating that the separation benefits of geotextiles may not be realized under relatively thick pavement sections. Field density tests indicated that the density of the subgrade in the sections with a geotextile generally increased between construction and the first field investigation, whereas the density of the soil-only sections remained about the same. Similarly, the FWD tests showed that the most significant increase in the subgrade moduli occurred in the first few months following construction. However, the soil-only sections exhibited behavior similar to the sections with geotextiles during the FWD testing, suggesting that for the relatively thick pavement sections, incorporation of geotextiles may not have provided a significant contribution to the overall performance of the section over the 12-year period. Some of the FWD results did suggest that geotextiles might contribute to an increase in the base course modulus over time.

Authors:
Collins,B. M., Holtz,R. D.

Keywords:
base, behavior, benefit, benefits, construction, control, density, falling weight deflectometer, field investigations, geotextile, geotextile separators, highway, materials, moduli, pavement, pavement performance, pavement section, research, rural, separators, subgrade, tests, volume, Washington, Washington state, weight, performance

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External Links: http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/research/reports/fullreports/595.1.pdf http://wsdot.wa.gov/Research/Reports/500/595.1.htm

Abstract:
The Washington State Pavement Management System (WSPMS) offers an organized methodology that WSDOT decision makers use to determine optimum strategies for providing and maintaining pavements in a serviceable condition over a given period of time. It also helps improve decision-making efficiency, provide feedback on the consequences of decisions, and ensure the consistency of decisions made at different management levels within WSDOT. Unfortunately, it is not possible, by simply scanning the WSPMS, to pinpoint reasons why pavement sections made of the same general surface materials and subjected to similar traffic and climatic conditions differ in performance. What the WSPMS can do is assist engineers in developing a candidate list of pavement sections with superior and inferior performance. Common characteristics that linkmultiple pavement sections are of particular interest, in part because they may reflect a common practice(e-g., nighttime construction) that leads to superior or inferior performance.This study undertook various extensive analyses and comparisons to help illustrate common attributes of Washington state pavements with superior and inferior performance. The research also reviewed field performance data for Interstate 90 within the 1999 version of the WSPMS. The purpose was to examine all pavement segments on the 480 km of Interstate 90 within Washington state.Reducing variability will allow WSDOT to produce more consistent pavement performance and will allow increasingly effective planning and forecasting. An almost certain byproduct of this increased planning effectiveness will be a more efficient allocation of available funding.

Authors:
Baker, M.J., Mahoney, J.P.

Keywords:
Assessment, condition, construction, data, effectiveness, forecasting, management, management system, materials, methodology, pavement, pavement management, pavement performance, pavement section, pavements, performance, planning, research, superior inferior, System, traffic, Washington, Washington state, WSDOT

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Abstract:
This paper presents the results of a research project to determine the long-term performance of wood fibre embankments, that were constructed by the Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) beginning in 1972. At the time of their construction, concern existed that wood fibre fills would only provide a 15 to 20 year service life.Performance of existing wood fibre fills was evaluated based on thequality of the wood fibre material, quality of the effluent, and condition ofthe pavement. A visual classification system rating the wood fibre from freshto completely decomposed was developed and used in order to establish acriteria from which all wood fibre mater.ia1 could be -rated.. Visual examinationin conjunction with laboratory tests were used as determining aspects for theeffluent quality. The WSDOT Pavement Management System was used to evaluate relative pavement performance. Site descriptions are presented giving specificcharacteristics and properties of the fills inventoried, An analysis of t h i sinformation was done to determine the effectiveness of the fills.Over half the wood fibre samples were found to be nearly fresh or freshand none w e found to be completely decomposed. In all but one case, thepavement quality over the wood fibre fills surpassed the comparative highwaysegment rating indicating the wood fill\\\'s performance exceeded thatof the surrounding area. Generally, the surface water in the vicinity of thewood fibre was found to be clean and pure indicating no adverse impact ofeffluent. Given the above findings, embankments constructed of wood fibre werefound to perform well over ahnost a 20. year period. Service life in excess of50 years can be expected - of wood fibre fills.

Authors:
Kilian, A.P., Ferry, C.D.

Keywords:
Analysis, condition, construction, developed, effectiveness, Embankments, evaluation, impact, Leachate, management, management system, pavement, pavement management, pavement performance, pavements, performance, performance evaluation, project, quality, research, tests, transportation, Washington, Washington state, Wood fibre, WSDOT

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Abstract:
The Washington State Department of Transportation (WSDOT) has completed construction of twenty-four hot-mix recycle projects as of January, 1985. At the begining of this study there were sixteen completed projects that were to be examined. Evaluation of the laboratory and pavement performance data shows that WSDOT\\\'s initial two projects, Renslow to Ryegrass (1977) and Yakima River to West Ellensburg Interchange (1978), are still performing very we1l. Although the other fourteed projects have been constructed only within the last two and a half years, the early data indicates equally promising results. Because of the impressive pavement performance exhibited by the recycled pavements, together with hot-mix recycle benefits such as conservation of natural resources, feasibility of construction, and its cost advantage over new ACP, hot-mix recycling has become an attractive addition to the WSDOT paving program.

Authors:
Peters, A.J., Gietz, R.H., Walter, J.P.

Keywords:
Asphalt, asphalt concrete, benefit, benefits, construction, cost, data, evaluation, ITS, pavement, pavement performance, pavements, performance, program, project, recycling, rejuvenating agents, Study, transportation, Washington, Washington state, WSDOT

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Abstract:
This report summarizes the pavement management system developed by WSDOT staff over a period of five years. Included is a description of what the system does in terms of the considerable amount of useful output data produced. A discussion is given on how the system was developed, what the pavement rating procedures involve and cost, what computer requirements are, and what typical data processing costs are. The report concludes with comments on how other agencies can use the Washington State Pavement Management System.

Authors:
Nelson, T.L., LeClerc, R.V.

Keywords:
Agencies, computer, cost, costs, data, developed, development, Executive, Executive Summary, management, management system, pavement, pavement data file, pavement management, pavement performance, System, Washington, Washington state, WSDOT

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Abstract:
This report describes the pavement management system developed by WSDOT staff over a period of five years. Both project-level and network-level pavement management are represented within the four broad areas of data processing which combine to constitute the foundation of the system.The design of a pavement data file is laid out together with the process of assembling it. Also shown are the methods used to analyze and convert the file data from pavement condition ratings to pavement performance curves for each project. The performance curves are then used, together with appropriate cost data, to determine the most cost-effective type and time to fix. The network-level program then summarized the need work for each year of a rehabilitation program. Mean are provided for adjusting the program to fit budget constraints or minimum acceptable levels of average pavement condition.It is concluded that the system, operating on biennial pavement condition ratings, provides a good solid framework for orderly analysis to estimate the economic benefits of the type, timing, and sequence of rehabilitation activities applied to a pavement.

Authors:
Nelson, T.L., LeClerc, R.V.

Keywords:
Analysis, benefit, benefits, condition, cost, data, design, developed, development, foundation, framework, management, management system, methods, Operating, pavement, pavement condition, pavement data file, pavement management, pavement performance, performance, program, project, rehabilitation, System, Washington, Washington state, WSDOT

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Abstract:
This report describes the pavement system developed by staff over a period of five years. Both project-level and network-level pavement are represented within the four broad areas of data processing which combine to constitute the foundation of the system. The design of a pavement data file is laid out together with the process of assembling it. Also shown are the methods used to analyze and convert the file data pavement condition ratings to pavement performance curves for each project. The performance curves are then used, together with appropriate cost data, to determine the most cost-effective type and of fix. The network-level program then the needed work for each year of a rehabilitation program. Means are provided for adjusting the program to fit budget constraints or acceptable levels of average pavement condition It is concluded that the system, operating on biennial pavement condition ratings, provides a good solid framework for orderly analysis to estimate the economic benefits of the type, timing, and sequence of rehabilitation activities apply to a pavement.

Authors:
Nelson, T.L., LeClerc, R.V.

Keywords:
Analysis, benefit, benefits, condition, cost, cost effective, data, design, developed, development, foundation, framework, management, management system, methods, Operating, pavement, pavement condition, pavement data file, pavement management, pavement performance, performance, program, project, rehabilitation, System, Washington, Washington state, WSDOT

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Abstract:
This report provides an overview of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) paving mixtures at the WSU Test Track (Pullman, WA). A brief description of the mix designs, pavement structural design, test track loading apparatus, and test pavement configurations is followed by a description of selected test track data (accelerations, temperatures and strain measurements). Finally, a description of the fatigue relationships developed from the WSU test track data is presented. Included are laboratory fatigue results.

Authors:
Mahoney, J.P., Lincoln, J.A., Christensen, D.C., Terrell, R.L., Cook, J.C., Garman, R.L.

Keywords:
Sulfur, asphalt, pavement, sulfur extended asphalt, test track, pavement performance, fatigue

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Abstract:
This report summarizes the placement and performance of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) paving mixtures at a highway test site (SR 270) near Pullman, Washington. The report includes a summary of the mixture and structure designs and construction details. This is followed by a discussion of the data collection and analysis accomplished over a three year evaluation period (1979 - 1982). A major experimental feature of the study was the use of 0/100 (conventional asphalt concrete), 30/70 and 40/60 SEA binder ratios (sulfur/asphalt ratios are expressed as weight percents) in the experimental paving mixtures.

Authors:
Mahoney, J.P.

Keywords:
Sulfur, asphalt, pavement, sulfur extended asphalt, pavement performance

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Abstract:
This report provides an overview of the performance of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) paving mixtures at the WSU Test Track (Pullman, WA). A brief description of the mix designs, pavement structural design, test track loading apparatus and test pavement configurations is followed by a description of selected test track data (accelerations, temperatures and stain measurements). Finally, a description of the fatigue relationships developed from the WSU Test Track data is presented. Included are laboratory fatigue results.

Authors:
Mahoney, J.P.

Keywords:
Sulfur, asphalt, pavement, sulfur extended asphalt, test track, pavement performance, fatigue

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Abstract:
This report summarizes the placement of sulfur extended asphalt (SEA) paving mixtures at two test sites near Pullman, Washington. One site was on an existing state highway and the other made use of the Washington State University Test Track. The report includes the preliminary mix designs, pavement thickness determination, construction details and initial performance data for the test pavements. A major experimental feature of the study was the use of 0/100 (conventional asphalt concrete), 30/70 and 40/60 SEA binder ratios in the experimental paving mixtures.

Authors:
Mahoney, J.P., Christensen, D.R., Terrel, R., Cook, J.C., Gietz, R.H.

Keywords:
Sulfur, asphalt, pavement, sulfur extended asphalt, test track, pavement performance

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Abstract:
Evaluation of pavement patching materials was accomplished by simulating potholes in the surface, repairing the holes and subjecting them to traffic loadings. Loadings were applied utilizing the Pavement Test Facility, which applies truck simultaneously. Measurements of strength resulted in a comparative evaluation. tires was determined. Tire and various passenger car tire .types s skidding potential and pavement performance. Tread wear and protrusion of studs in the tires was determined.

Authors:
Cook, J.C.

Keywords:
Evaluation, facilities, materials, pavement, Pavement Patching Material, Polishing, Skidding Potential, Studded Tires, Garnet Impregnated Tires, pavement performance, performance, strength, studs, test track, tire, tires, traffic, truck

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