abstract: Chloride solutions have historically been used to stabilize roads and to prevent dust; however, very little work has been done on investigating the soil stabilizing benefits from interactions between salt solutions and different soil types. The primary goal of this research was to analyze the feasibility of utilizing a salt waste product as an economically and environmentally responsible means of dust control and/or soil stabilization. Specifically, this study documents an investigation leading to the understanding of how the addition of saline based waste products, when using a soil stabilizer, modifies the strength behavior of soils. The scope of work included the evaluation of current literature, examination of the main challenges meeting relevant governmental regulations, and exploring the possibility of using saline waste to improve roadways. Three soils were selected, treated with varying amounts of salt (calcium chloride, CaCl2), and tests included soil composition and classification, correlation of soil characteristics and salt, and obtaining strength parameters that are typically used in pavement design and analysis. The work effort also included the determination of the optimum dosage of salt concentration for each soil. Because Lime treatment is also commonly used in soil stabilization, one of the soils in this study included a treatment with Lime for comparison purposes. Results revealed that when salt concentration was increased, a decrease in the plasticity index was observed in all soils. A modest to considerable strength gain of the treated material was also observed for two of the soils; however, a strength loss was observed for the third soil, which was attributed to its low clay content. When comparing the soil corrosive potential, the additional salt treatment showed promise for increasing strength, to an extent; however, it changes the chemical properties of the soil. The soils prior to treatment were corrosive, which could be managed with appropriate techniques, but the salt increases the values to levels that could be potentially cost prohibitive if salt was used by itself to treat the soil. The pavement design and performance investigation revealed that the Vineyard soil treated at 16% CaCl2 had an improvement that is comparable to the Lime treatment. On the other hand, the Eager soil showed very little pavement performance improvement at 8% CaCl2; this goes back to the effect of acid on the clay mineralogy. It was also postulated that using salt by-products to stabilize highway shoulders could be beneficial and save a lot of maintenance money when it comes to cleaning unwanted vegetation. A salt saturated soil structure could help in dust control as well. Future environmental challenges for salt leaching that could affect agriculture in developing countries will still need to be carefully considered. The chlorine levels in the soil would increase, and if not treated, can potentially have corrosive effects on buried structures. Future research is recommended in this area and to also evaluate soil stabilizing properties of varying proportions of Lime and salt using the approach provided in this study. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2017

The effects of frost action introduce many challenges in the design and construction of roadways in cold regions throughout the United States. The penetration of frost into pavement structures can lead to differential frost heave during winter and thaw weakening during spring. Both of these damage mechanisms lead to premature pavement distress, structural deterioration, and poor ride quality. Because the availability of naturally occurring non-frost-susceptible pavement base materials is rapidly diminishing in many areas while project budgets remain largely inadequate, pavement engineers are utilizing alternative materials and techniques to minimize such damage. The purpose of this research was to investigate and document the state of the practice concerning the design and construction of pavements in cold regions. In particular, the various methods and standards employed for characterizing materials, improving soils and aggregates, and determining pavement layer thicknesses were explored. A comprehensive literature review was performed, and a questionnaire survey was conducted of various state DOTs throughout the United States that are involved with the design and maintenance of roadways. The study was directed primarily at identifying practices utilized by state DOTs in climates with freezing temperatures. The information obtained in this research represents a unique compilation of standards of practice that have been developed by DOTs based on years of experience and research in their respective jurisdictions. While this research allows engineers at state DOTs to compare their pavement design and construction practices with those of other states represented in the survey, consulting engineers and engineers in local governments involved in characterizing materials, improving soils and aggregates, and determining pavement layer thicknesses can also benefit from this work.

No description available.

<p>There is consistent research evidence that shows improvement of the engineering properties of subgrade soils treated with lime or cement. However, limited information is available on the effect of climatic changes on the subgrade stiffness. The thesis studies the effects of changes in soil moisture content and temperature on the resilient modulus of treated and untreated subgrades in Indiana. Two types of soils were tested: A-6 and A-7-6, from two locations in Indiana: Hartford City and Bloomington, respectively. When existing standards ASTM D559/559-15 and ASTM D560/560-16 for wetting/drying (WD) and freezing/thawing (FT) processes, respectively, were followed, the treated and untreated samples failed through the process of preparation due to the stringent procedures in the standards. Appropriate test conditions were investigated, as part of the research, to develop new protocols more appropriate to the field conditions in Indiana. Two new test protocols were developed and successfully applied to the treated soils. A total of 26 resilient modulus, M_R, tests were conducted following the standard AASHTO T307-99. The M_R results showed that the repeated action of WD and FT cycles reduced the stiffness of the chemically-treated soils down to values similar to or lower than those of the untreated soils. However, when the amount of chemical was doubled, with respect to the optimum, the M_R of the treated soils improved over that of the untreated soils, even after the wetting-drying cycles.</p>

El proyecto de investigación tuvo por finalidad evaluar las geomallas triaxiales, como elementos de refuerzo en la interfaz Subrasante – Subbase de la estructura del pavimento flexible, con el objetivo de optimizar espesores del pavimento, aumentar la capacidad de soporte de la subrasante y prolongar la vida útil de pavimento. En este trabajo se presenta la aplicación de una metodología de diseño para el uso de geomallas triaxiales, con las especificaciones técnicas para el diseño aplicado de las geomallas en pavimentos flexibles en Perú. La metodología de diseño está centrada en las investigaciones del doctor J.P. Giroud y el doctor Jie Han, que presentan un efecto de confinamiento generado, entre las geomallas y la capa de material sobre la subrasante. Los suelos al ser sometidos a cargas de llantas tienden a deformarse, generando ahuellamiento sobre la superficie de rodadura. Con la presencia de geomallas en el suelo este ahuellamiento se reduce de manera exponencial (Giroud & Han, 2005). Para la metodología planteada se desarrolla un ejemplo aplicativo para el diseño reforzado, de una base pavimentada, con geomalla triaxial y otro sin refuerzo. Para este ejemplo se recolecto datos con ayuda de los formatos de clasificación vehicular del MTC, inspección visual de la vía para la evaluación del índice de condición del pavimento (PCI) y los ensayos de laboratorio; la cual fue ejecutada a lo largo de los 2.3 km aproximadamente, en el cual se observó que el PCI del tramo es de 21%, esto significa que el nivel de servicio de la vía es malo, es decir requiere la intervención inmediata. Mediante esta metodología el uso de geomallas implicó disminución de espesores de 33.33%, cabe recalcar que se debe tener en cuenta que cada diseño variará de acuerdo con el proyecto a ejecutarse, por ende, dependerá de las características del suelo, el tráfico vehicular y el refuerzo (Tipo de geomalla) utilizado. / The purpose of this research project was to evaluate the triaxial geogrids, as reinforcement elements in the Subgrade - Subbase interface of the flexible pavement structure, with the aim of optimizing pavement thicknesses, increasing the support capacity of the subgrade and prolonging the useful life of pavement. This paper presents the application of a design methodology for the use of triaxial geogrids, with the technical specifications for the applied design of geogrids inflexible pavements in Peru. The design methodology is focused on the investigations of Dr. J.P. Giroud and Dr. Jie Han, who present a generated confinement effect, between the geogrids and the layer of material on the subgrade. The floors when subjected to tire loads tend to deform, generating rutting on the running surface. With the presence of geogrids in the ground, this rutting is reduced exponentially (Giroud & Han, 2005). For the proposed methodology an application example is developed for the reinforced design, of a paved base, with triaxial geogrid and another without reinforcement. For this example, data was collected with the aid of the vehicle classification formats of the MTC, visual inspection of the road for the evaluation of the pavement condition index (PCI) and laboratory tests; which was executed along the approximately 2.3 km, in which it was observed that the PCI of the section is 21%, this means that the service level of the road is bad, that is, it requires immediate intervention. Through this methodology the use of geogrids implied a decrease in thickness of 33.33%, it should be noted that it must be taken into account that each design will vary according to the project to be executed, therefore, it will depend on the characteristics of the soil, vehicular traffic and reinforcement (Type of geogrid) used. / Trabajo de investigación

The bump at the end of the railway bridge is a result of differential movement between the bridge deck and the approach embankment. The movement can have the form of a bump or a dip. Either defect in the track geometry can cause significant problems in track performance. The current state of practice was evaluated by conducting a literature review and an industry survey. According to the survey, approximately half of all railway bridges are affected by the bump/dip. The total annual cost for repairing these bridge transition problems is estimated at $26 million. This does not take into account the considerable cost resulting from speed reductions that railroads must place on trains at these locations. In addition to the increased maintenance costs, the bump/dip leads to higher impact loads, uncomfortable rides and possible safety hazards. The track response due to the bump at the end of the bridge was evaluated by creating a 4-D finite element model of the train, track structure and track substructure. The motion of the train model across a bridge/approach transition, with and without a bump/dip, was then simulated using LS-DYNA. It was found that a track modulus differential alone (no bump/dip) at a bridge/approach location leads to impact forces as well as increased ballast and subgrade pressures on the approach. This instigates the formation of a bump or dip in the track. The track response is increased when a bump/dip is present in the track profile. A parametric study looking at the influence of train direction, train speed, bump/dip size, approach embankment soil modulus, approach tie material, bridge tie material, bridge deck type, ballast thickness and approach tie length on the magnitude of impact forces, track deflection, ballast and subgrade pressures was also performed with the model. Finally, a design solution to minimize the bump at the end of the bridge is proposed. The solution involves installing varying length steel bars into a soft subgrade approach embankment. The solution addresses both the settlement and track modulus differential between the bridge and the embankment. A full-scale field test of this prototype solution is underway.

ABSTRACT COMPARISON OF ANALYSIS METHODS OF EMBEDDED RETAINING WALLS HARMANDAR, Serkan M.S., Department of Civil Engineering Supervisor : Prof. Dr. Yener &Ouml / zkan Co -Supervisor : Dr. Oguz &Ccedil / aliSan December 2006, 123 pages In this study a single-propped embedded retaining wall supporting a cohesionless soil is investigated by four approaches, namely limit equilibrium, subgrade reaction, pseudo-finite element and finite element methods. Structural forces, such as strut loads, wall shear forces, bending moments are calculated by each method and results are compared. The analyses are carried for for three values of internal friction angle of soil / 30o, 35o, and 40o. Effects of modulus of soil elasticity of the backfill and wall stiffness on structural forces are investigated by using different values for these parameters. It is found that, in those of obtained by, limit equilibrium approach results in embedment depth greater than other methods. Minimum strut loads for the same soil and structure parameters are obtained by limit equilibrium method. An increase of Young&rsquo / s modulus of the soil results in decrease of the strut loads.

abstract: This study presents the results of one of the first attempts to characterize the pore water pressure response of soils subjected to traffic loading under saturated and unsaturated conditions. It is widely known that pore water pressure develops within the soil pores as a response to external stimulus. Also, it has been recognized that the development of pores water pressure contributes to the degradation of the resilient modulus of unbound materials. In the last decades several efforts have been directed to model the effect of air and water pore pressures upon resilient modulus. However, none of them consider dynamic variations in pressures but rather are based on equilibrium values corresponding to initial conditions. The measurement of this response is challenging especially in soils under unsaturated conditions. Models are needed not only to overcome testing limitations but also to understand the dynamic behavior of internal pore pressures that under critical conditions may even lead to failure. A testing program was conducted to characterize the pore water pressure response of a low plasticity fine clayey sand subjected to dynamic loading. The bulk stress, initial matric suction and dwelling time parameters were controlled and their effects were analyzed. The results were used to attempt models capable of predicting the accumulated excess pore pressure at any given time during the traffic loading and unloading phases. Important findings regarding the influence of the controlled variables challenge common beliefs. The accumulated excess pore water pressure was found to be higher for unsaturated soil specimens than for saturated soil specimens. The maximum pore water pressure always increased when the high bulk stress level was applied. Higher dwelling time was found to decelerate the accumulation of pore water pressure. In addition, it was found that the higher the dwelling time, the lower the maximum pore water pressure. It was concluded that upon further research, the proposed models may become a powerful tool not only to overcome testing limitations but also to enhance current design practices and to prevent soil failure due to excessive development of pore water pressure. / Dissertation/Thesis / Ph.D. Civil and Environmental Engineering 2011

abstract: Recent research efforts have been directed to improve the quality of pavement design procedures by considering the transient nature of soil properties due to environmental and aging effects on pavement performance. The main purpose of this research study was to investigate the existence of subgrade soil moisture changes that may have arisen due to thermal and hydraulic gradients at the Atlantic City NAPTF and to evaluate their effect on the material stiffness and the California Bearing Ratio (CBR) strength parameter of the clay subgrade materials. Laboratory data showed that at the same water content, matric suction decreases with increasing temperature; and at the same suction, hydraulic conductivity increases with increasing temperature. Models developed, together with moisture/temperature data collected from 30 sensors installed in the test facility, yielded a maximum variation of suction in field of 155 psi and changes in hydraulic conductivity from 2.9E-9 m/s at 100% saturation to 8.1E-12 at 93% saturation. The maximum variation in temperature was found to be 20.8oC at the shallower depth and decreased with depth; while a maximum variation in moisture content was found to be 3.7% for Dupont clay and 4.4% for County clay. Models developed that predicts CBR as a function of dry density and moisture content yielded a maximum variation of CBR of 2.4 for Dupont clay and 2.9 for County clay. Additionally, models were developed relating the temperature with the bulk stress and octahedral stress applied on the subgrade for dual gear, dual tandem and triple tandem gear types for different tire loads. It was found that as the temperature increases the stresses increase. A Modified Cary and Zapata model was used for predicting the resilient modulus(Mr) of the subgrade. Using the models developed and the temperature/moisture changes observed in the field, the variation of suction, bulk and octahedral stresses were estimated, along with the resilient modulus for three different gear types. Results indicated that changes in Mr as large as 9 ksi occur in the soils studied due to the combined effect of external loads and environmental condition changes. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2017

<p>There are significant problems during construction to establish an adequate foundation for fills and/or subgrade for pavements when the natural ground has low-bearing soils. Geosynthetics such as geogrids, geotextiles and/or geocells could provide an alternative, less costly in time and money, to establish an adequate foundation for the fill and/or subgrade. There is extensive evidence in the literature and on DOTs practices about the suitability of using geotextiles in pavements as separators. Previous studies have also shown that the use of geogrids in flexible pavements as a reinforcing mechanism could decrease the thickness of the base layer and/or increase the life of the pavement. In this study, analyses of selected pavement designs using Pavement ME, while considering geogrid-enhanced base or subgrade resilient modulus values, showed that geogrid-reinforcement, when placed at the interface between subgrade and base, did not produce significant benefits, as only a modest increase in pavement life was predicted. In addition, parametric finite element analyses were carried out to investigate the potential benefits of placing a geogrid at the base of a fill over a localized weak foundation zone. The analyses showed that the use of geogrids is beneficial only when: (a) the stiffness of the weak foundation soil is about an order of magnitude smaller than the rest of the foundation soil; and (b) the horizontal extent of the weak foundation soil is at least 30% of the base of the embankment foundation. The largest decrease in differential settlements at the surface of the fill, resulting from geogrid-reinforcement, was less than 20% and, therefore, it is unlikely that the sole use of geogrids would be sufficient to mitigate differential settlements. Based on previous studies, a geocell mattress, which is a three-dimensional geosynthetic filled with different types of materials, could act as a stiff platform at the base of an embankment and bridge over weak zones in the foundation. However, given the limited experience on the use of geocells, further research is required to demonstrate that geocells can be effectively used instead of other reinforcement methods.</p>