Improving Resilient Modulus (MR) Test Procedures for Unbound Materials

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General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(177)
Former Study Number:
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 1140
Partners: AL, CO, FL, MN, MO, MS, TX, VA, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 27, 2016
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $300,000.00
Suggested Contribution:
Total Commitments Received: $350,000.00
100% SP&R Approval: Approved
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Christopher Wagner
christopher.wagner@dot.gov
Phone: 404-562-3693
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Mike Moravec
Mike.Moravec@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-3982
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name
Alabama Department of Transportation 2007 $40,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown
Colorado Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Aziz Khan Aziz Khan
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 David Horhota Patti Brannon
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Lisa Jansen Lisa Jansen
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Lisa Jansen Lisa Jansen
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2009 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2010 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins
Missouri Department of Transportation 2008 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper
Missouri Department of Transportation 2009 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper
Missouri Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey
Texas Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey
Texas Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey
Virginia Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 John Schuler Bill Kelsh
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 Tom Brokaw Lori Richter
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2007 $40,000.00 Rick Harvey Michael Patritch

Study Description

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide requires that the resilient modulus of the subgrade be used to design the pavement thickness for both asphalt concrete and PCC concrete pavements. Due to the complexity of the test, test results have been inconsistent. For example, data to date has shown that: o Two different laboratories testing split samples of the same soil or aggregate layer get widely different results. o Two technicians on the same equipment would also get widely different results. o Repeated tests on the same sample by one technician on the same equipment would not always produce consistent results. The resilient modulus of a soil or unbound aggregate material is the recoverable stress/strain relationship of the soil. The greater the resilient modulus of the soils is, the "stiffer" the soil will be, and the greater the strength will be for supporting transmitted wheel loads. This parameter is considered to be the best indicator of a subgrade&039;s strength since the test replicates the dynamics of moving wheel loads. You can obtain a detailed guide for Determining Design Resilient Modulus Values for Unbound Materials which was developed through the LTPP Program. For copies of the CD-ROM, contact the study manager or email your request to LTPPINFO.gov. This guide is in CD-ROM format and contains three major components: an interactive tutorial, a technology transfer module, and supplemental materials. The interactive tutorial covers Resilient Modulus (MR) startup and quality control test procedures for unbound materials. The technology transfer module contains overview presentations and videos that were developed in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT). The supplemental materials section contains LTPP protocols, FHWA research reports, and many other supporting documents. The CD-ROM is designed for highway administrators, engineers, laboratory managers, and technicians to help them understand MR and addresses key questions that they might have about the test procedures. Videos featured on the CD-ROM include: o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Is This the Right Time?--Intended for administrators and engineers, this 8-minute video explains MR and its uses. The video also describes developments that have made MR testing more consistent and easier to adopt. o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Startup and Quality Control Procedure--This 15-minute video for laboratory managers and technicians begins with a detailed definition of MR. It then explains the procedure developed under the LTPP program to ensure that a laboratory is arranged properly to conduct the MR test procedure and collect accurate test results that are comparable, regardless of where or when they were obtained. o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Sample Preparation and Test Procedure--This 13-minute video for managers and technicians describes each step in the MR test procedure, including how to prepare soil and aggregate samples.

Objectives

This pooled fund study has three primary goals: 1. To reduce the variability currently associated with resilient modulus testing of unbound materials. 2. To conduct a precision and bias study of the test procedure. 3. Provide assistance to states to properly equip and setup a laboratory for successful MR testing.

Comments

Approximate amount of funding requested per State is $40,000.

Documents Attached
Title File/Link Type Privacy Download
TPF-5(177) Closeout Letter TPF-5(177) Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Tpf-5(177) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(177) Close Out Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Public
Final Report: Precision and Bias of Resilient Modulus Report_Resilient Modulus_2015_FINAL_Clean Copy.pdf Final Report Public
2013 Q4 Quarterly Report 2013 Fourth Quarter_QPR-FHWA-D00015-Dec2014.doc Quarterly Progress Report Public
Acceptance Memo Lead_Agency_Memo.pdf Memorandum Public

No document attached.

Improving Resilient Modulus (MR) Test Procedures for Unbound Materials

General Information
Study Number: TPF-5(177)
Lead Organization: Federal Highway Administration
Solicitation Number: 1140
Partners: AL, CO, FL, MN, MO, MS, TX, VA, WI, WY
Status: Closed
Est. Completion Date:
Contract/Other Number:
Last Updated: Jul 27, 2016
Contract End Date:
Financial Summary
Contract Amount: $300,000.00
Total Commitments Received: $350,000.00
100% SP&R Approval:
Contact Information
Lead Study Contact(s): Christopher Wagner
christopher.wagner@dot.gov
Phone: 404-562-3693
FHWA Technical Liaison(s): Mike Moravec
Mike.Moravec@dot.gov
Phone: 202-366-3982
Commitments by Organizations
Organization Year Commitments Technical Contact Name Funding Contact Name Contact Number Email Address
Alabama Department of Transportation 2007 $40,000.00 Larry Lockett Jeff Brown 334-353-6941 brownje@dot.state.al.us
Colorado Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Aziz Khan Aziz Khan aziz.khan@state.co.us
Florida Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 David Horhota Patti Brannon 850-414-4616 patti.brannon@dot.state.fl.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2008 $20,000.00 Lisa Jansen Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Minnesota Department of Transportation 2009 $20,000.00 Lisa Jansen Lisa Jansen 651-366-3779 lisa.jansen@state.mn.us
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2008 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins 601-359-7650 jwatkins@mdot.state.ms.us
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2009 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins 601-359-7650 jwatkins@mdot.state.ms.us
Mississippi Department of Transportation 2010 $15,000.00 Bill Barstis James Watkins 601-359-7650 jwatkins@mdot.state.ms.us
Missouri Department of Transportation 2008 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper 573-526-3636 Jennifer.Harper@modot.mo.gov
Missouri Department of Transportation 2009 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper 573-526-3636 Jennifer.Harper@modot.mo.gov
Missouri Department of Transportation 2010 $5,000.00 Thomas Fennessey Jennifer Harper 573-526-3636 Jennifer.Harper@modot.mo.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2007 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey 512- 416-4730 rtimain@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2008 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey 512- 416-4730 rtimain@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2009 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey 512- 416-4730 rtimain@txdot.gov
Texas Department of Transportation 2010 $10,000.00 Jaime Gandara Frank Bailey 512- 416-4730 rtimain@txdot.gov
Virginia Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 John Schuler Bill Kelsh 434-293-1934 Bill.Kelsh@VDOT.Virginia.gov
Wisconsin Department of Transportation 2008 $40,000.00 Tom Brokaw Lori Richter 608-264-8435 lori.richter@dot.wi.gov
Wyoming Department of Transportation 2007 $40,000.00 Rick Harvey Michael Patritch 307-777-4182 michael.patritch@dot.state.wy.us

Study Description

Study Description

The Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide requires that the resilient modulus of the subgrade be used to design the pavement thickness for both asphalt concrete and PCC concrete pavements. Due to the complexity of the test, test results have been inconsistent. For example, data to date has shown that: o Two different laboratories testing split samples of the same soil or aggregate layer get widely different results. o Two technicians on the same equipment would also get widely different results. o Repeated tests on the same sample by one technician on the same equipment would not always produce consistent results. The resilient modulus of a soil or unbound aggregate material is the recoverable stress/strain relationship of the soil. The greater the resilient modulus of the soils is, the "stiffer" the soil will be, and the greater the strength will be for supporting transmitted wheel loads. This parameter is considered to be the best indicator of a subgrade&039;s strength since the test replicates the dynamics of moving wheel loads. You can obtain a detailed guide for Determining Design Resilient Modulus Values for Unbound Materials which was developed through the LTPP Program. For copies of the CD-ROM, contact the study manager or email your request to LTPPINFO.gov. This guide is in CD-ROM format and contains three major components: an interactive tutorial, a technology transfer module, and supplemental materials. The interactive tutorial covers Resilient Modulus (MR) startup and quality control test procedures for unbound materials. The technology transfer module contains overview presentations and videos that were developed in partnership with the Minnesota Department of Transportation (DOT). The supplemental materials section contains LTPP protocols, FHWA research reports, and many other supporting documents. The CD-ROM is designed for highway administrators, engineers, laboratory managers, and technicians to help them understand MR and addresses key questions that they might have about the test procedures. Videos featured on the CD-ROM include: o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Is This the Right Time?--Intended for administrators and engineers, this 8-minute video explains MR and its uses. The video also describes developments that have made MR testing more consistent and easier to adopt. o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Startup and Quality Control Procedure--This 15-minute video for laboratory managers and technicians begins with a detailed definition of MR. It then explains the procedure developed under the LTPP program to ensure that a laboratory is arranged properly to conduct the MR test procedure and collect accurate test results that are comparable, regardless of where or when they were obtained. o Laboratory Resilient Modulus Testing: Sample Preparation and Test Procedure--This 13-minute video for managers and technicians describes each step in the MR test procedure, including how to prepare soil and aggregate samples.

Objectives

This pooled fund study has three primary goals: 1. To reduce the variability currently associated with resilient modulus testing of unbound materials. 2. To conduct a precision and bias study of the test procedure. 3. Provide assistance to states to properly equip and setup a laboratory for successful MR testing.

Comments

Approximate amount of funding requested per State is $40,000.

Title File/Link Type Private
Final Report: Precision and Bias of Resilient Modulus Report_Resilient Modulus_2015_FINAL_Clean Copy.pdf Final Report Public
Acceptance Memo Lead_Agency_Memo.pdf Memorandum Public
TPF-5(177) Closeout Letter TPF-5(177) Close out Memo - Signed.pdf Memorandum Public
Tpf-5(177) Closeout Funding Spreadsheet TPF-5(177) Close Out Funding Spreadsheet.pdf Other Public
2013 Q4 Quarterly Report 2013 Fourth Quarter_QPR-FHWA-D00015-Dec2014.doc Quarterly Progress Report Public
No document attached.

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