Quarterly Management Report on Research Progress - Illinois ...

<strong>Quarterly</strong> Progress <strong>Report</strong>
Meeting Dates - Minutes Available?
7/19/2011 - Yes 12/9/2011 - Yes
Progress & Significant Results This Quarter:
In the first quarter of 2012, a new graduate student researcher was hired to replace the previous student researcher who quit for personal reasons.
The primary task completed in the quarter was to develop a new concrete thickness design chart (JPCP) and thickness adjustment factors for the
Bureau of Local Roads and Streets manual (Chapter 44) based on the updated method implemented in Chapter 54 of the BDE manual. The
proposed concrete thicknesses were compared with the existing JPCP curves. Reliability levels were selected based on the current levels specified
in Chapter 44. Overload charts were also plotted based on the proposed JPCP method but were found not to be able to produce reasonable results.
Overload charts were then plotted with the AASHTO 1993 equation for a very heavy axle load but this approach was also deemed unreasonable for
implementation due to the high axle loads required to match the old IDOT overload adjustment chart. Work was completed on reviewing the
proposed CRCP thickness design spreadsheet during the quarter. The tensile stress calculations were reviewed and check with Illislab and an
erosion analysis technique was reviewed that was recently developed by Texas researchers along with several papers on the observed horizontal
cracking in CRC Pavements. One final task conducted this quarter was reviewing the conclusion of a petrographer on the cause of cracking on I-39
north of Bloomington.
Anticipated Work Next Quarter:
The BLRS rigid pavement curves will be finalized in the 2nd quarter of 2012 based on recent feedback from IDOT. An overload design chart for
the BLRS will also be worked on during the summer months to try and better characterize the allowable overloads for a given concrete pavement
section typically constructed on the local road system. Progress will be continued on the CRCP design spreadsheet. An undergraduate student
researcher will be hired during the summer to organize and conduct surveys on existing UTW sections. A former graduate researcher will also work
with the PI to draft proposed the overload design charts. The current graduate student researcher is employed with an out of state summer job and
will not have significant time to work in the summer months on the CRCP procedure.
Project Impediments & Recommended Solutions:
Deliverables and Implementation Strategy:
Last Updated: 6/18/2012
Approved By TRP Chair: 5/9/2012
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