Details:

Creators:
Hoppe, Edward J. ; Nair, Harikrishnan
Hoppe, Edward J. ; Nair, Harikrishnan Less -
Corporate Creators:
Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC)
Corporate Contributors:
Virginia. Dept. of Transportation ; United States. Federal Highway Administration
Virginia. Dept. of Transportation ; United States. Federal Highway Administration Less -
Subject/TRT Terms:
[+]
Cement Chip Seals Durability Tests Full-depth Reclamation Gravel Roads Stabilization
Publication/ Report Number:
VTRC 17-R19
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States ; Virginia
United States ; Virginia Less -
Corporate Publisher:
Virginia Transportation Research Council (VTRC)
Abstract:
In an effort to address the local citizens’ preference for preserving existing gravel roads, personnel of the Northern

Virginia District of the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) have been exploring various options for improving the

effectiveness of current maintenance practices. The purpose of this study was to explore the effectiveness of chemical

stabilization practices on unpaved roads. A 550-ft-long segment of Hurley Lane, a gravel road in Loudoun County, was selected

for testing. Traffic counts measured by VDOT personnel in early 2016 indicated approximately 340 vehicles per day, including

3% trucks.

The construction technique known as full-depth reclamation (FDR) was used. The existing unpaved road section was

pulverized to a depth of 12 in and subsequently blended with 5% cement by weight using road reclaiming equipment. The

surface was then covered with a double chip seal. The main objective of this project was to provide stability while still

maintaining the appearance and “feel” of a gravel road.

Construction was completed in mid-November 2015, and problems with surface durability became evident

approximately 3 months later. Excessive rutting and soil contamination at the surface were observed. Follow-up field testing

was conducted to determine the cause of failure. A falling weight deflectometer was used to measure the response of the road

section to impulse loads. Test results and visual observation indicated that the lack of durability of the chip seal was the most

likely cause of substandard performance. Prior to stabilization, the test section at Hurley Lane required frequent maintenance

activities. The need for extensive road maintenance decreased substantially after completion of the project, indicating that the

underlying cement-stabilized road section was performing adequately.

The study concluded that cement stabilization using the FDR approach is a viable option for improving some unpaved

roads. It can be particularly attractive in situations where placement of conventional cement-treated aggregate is impractical

because of time constraints on delivery.

The study recommends that VDOT consider using FDR with chip seal surfacing for maintenance of areas identified as

maintenance nuisance (each road segment under 0.1 mile long) and for roads qualified under the Rural Rustic Road Program

(designed to keep a traditional rural lane appearance while improving the riding surface within the current right of way). FDR

projects need to be planned adequately and monitored during construction. Particular attention should be directed to field testing

of compaction, weather-related limitations on construction activities, and chip seal application procedures. The study also

recommends the use of a falling weight deflectometer to prioritize maintenance needs.


Format:
PDF
Funding:
RC00102
Collection(s):
US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:
[+]
urn:sha256:c1900d14f580312be291cd0bdcb47c26346e492a0562af37bd6dcb2b00b922ea
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/32336/dot_32336_DS1.pdf
File Type:

Supporting Files

• No Additional Files

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