| ODOT Reseach Unit - Active Projects |
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| SPR 622 |
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Abrasion-Resistant Concrete
| Project Coordinator: |
Steve Soltesz |
| Research Agency: |
Oregon State University |
| Principal Investigator: |
Todd Scholz |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
October 2004 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
December 2009 |
BACKGROUND:
Oregon’s bridges are a critical component of the Oregon state highway system and a substantial economic investment for the State. Unfortunately, degradation of the concrete decks due to studded tire wear and corrosion require costly, premature replacement or rehabilitation of many of ODOT’s bridges. It is known that the higher strength of high performance concrete (HPC) can provide improved abrasion resistance. Generally, HPC is intended to 1) meet the design engineer’s minimum requirements for compressive strength and 2) enhance the long-term properties of the concrete such as durability, abrasion resistance, low permeability to protect against corrosive-ion attack on reinforcing steel, and cracking resistance. It is well known that adding approximately 8% silica fume to concrete significantly increases the strength and reduces the permeability. However, experience has shown that the improvement sometimes comes with an increased propensity for early-age cracking in cast-in-place (CIP) bridge decks that essentially negates the benefits of lower permeability. In fact, ODOT is refocusing its bridge deck concrete specifications to limit the strength of the concrete in order to reduce the level of cracking seen in the field. The change in the specification will not result in a reduction in the amount of studded tire wear and may actually result in more damage due to studded tires.
Recently, studies have been initiated to investigate precast bridge deck systems (NCHRP 12-65 Full-Depth, Precast-Concrete Bridge Deck Panel Systems; NCHRP 12-69 Design and Construction Guidelines for Long-Span Decked Precast, Prestressed Concrete Girder Bridges). Precast components allow bridge elements to be manufactured under controlled factory conditions, which should provide a higher level of quality. Also, prefabricated components can be assembled more quickly at a bridge site without the need to wait for fresh concrete to reach threshold strengths before continuing construction activities. The cited NCHRP studies are primarily concerned with constructability issues related to precast panels and decked girders.
Precast deck panels could allow HPC designed for abrasion resistance to be used for bridge decks while maintaining production controls to minimize cracking. No known investigation is being conducted to develop a materials system for precast deck components that optimizes performance characteristics, especially abrasion resistance due to studded tire wear, and life-cycle costs.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this project is to reduce the life-cycle cost of bridges by developing one or more materials systems for precast and prestressed bridge deck components that improve the studded tire wear (abrasion) resistance and durability of bridge decks.
1.1 Benefits
Bridge decks with improved resistance to studded tire damage will be safer for the driving public and will require less traffic interruptions caused by deck restoration projects. Every year that a bridge continues to provide useful service essentially pays the State of Oregon dividends because the replacement costs are deferred to later years.
IMPLEMENTATION:
Materials systems that are developed will be demonstrated in a field test component of the research. Materials that perform well will be considered when ODOT uses precast bridge deck components.
Quarterly Reports:
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| SPR 638 |
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Wildlife Movement Study
| Project Coordinator: |
Matthew Mabey |
| Research Agency: |
USGS |
| Principal Invest: |
John Risley, Glenn Hess |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
July 15, 2005 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
June 30, 2010 |
BACKGROUND:
Fish Passage, Temporary Water Management and Storm water Quality designs all require the use of low flows at a range of probabilities. The current readily available flow data does not extend to flows of appropriate probability.
Fish passage, stream restoration, and culvert projects use the exceedance probability of daily flows to estimate flows for fish habitat simulation and for Temporary Water Management (pumps, temp pipes, etc) during in-water construction. The work required determining these flows from daily stream flow data on a project by project basis is technically difficult and very time consuming.
OBJECTIVES:
The major goal of the proposed project is to provide updated flow information and Web-based tools required for protecting, managing, and developing water-resources in Oregon. Specific project objectives include:
Station flow statistics: Compute flow statistics for unregulated USGS and non-USGS flow gauging stations in Oregon, and Flow statistical models: Develop regional regression equations for estimating flow statistics for sites on ungauged streams in Oregon.
Web based user interface: Incorporate these Oregon regression equations and consumptive use data into StreamStats, an automated national Web-based application, so they are readily accessible.
APPROACH:
Collect all available stream discharge data as well as data about drainage hydrology and consumptive uses. Use this information to develop probabilistic flow curves for all drainages in Oregon.
Quarterly Reports:
FY 05
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FY 06
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FY 07
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FY 08
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FY 09
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FY 10
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| SPR 642 |
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Mechanistic Pavement Design Input Parameters
Project Coordinator:
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Norris Shippen
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Research Agency:
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Oregon State University
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Principal Investigator:
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Todd V. Scholz
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Start Date for ODOT:
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October, 2005
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End Date for ODOT:
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February 28, 2008
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BACKGROUND:
Current national pavement design procedures are outdated and typically conservative for the traffic volumes on most of the NHS highways in Oregon. The current 1993 AASHTO Pavement Design Procedure is empirically based and was developed in the 1960’s. AASHTO is in the process of developing a new design procedure that is mechanistic-empirical based. The new design procedure will require ODOT to develop new inputs and calibrate the procedure to local conditions and materials. An ODOT research project is currently underway for the input parameters for AC strength, dynamic modulus. Other inputs required in the new design procedure include aggregate base and subgrade soil properties, calibration of failure criteria and functions to local conditions, AC mix volumetric properties and climatic data
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this research project is to develop the appropriate inputs for use in mechanistic and perpetual pavement design procedures.
APPROACH:
Determine what information is currently available on mechanistic pavement design. Test and recommend appropriate back calculation software. Determine what information ODOT currently has that can be used in developing material property inputs for mechanistic and perpetual pavement design procedures. Make a recommendation on the use of available climatic data resources.
This research will also determine what additional material properties or inputs are required for implementation of the AASHTO mechanistic design procedure or other perpetual pavement design procedures and recommend future research.
Quarterly Reports:
FY 06
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FY 07
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FY 08
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FY 09
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FY 10
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| SPR 650 |
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Statistical Analysis of QC / QA Data on Construction Projects
| Project Coordinator: |
Norris Shippen |
| Research Agency: |
Oregon State University |
| Principal Investigator: |
David N. Sillars |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
July 1, 2007 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
October 31, 2008
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BACKGROUND:
In July 2005, FHWA conducted a stewardship review of ODOT’s Quality Assurance Program. The review found that ODOT’s process of validating the contractor’s QC data is not in compliance with the CFR’s. The issue noted in the report is that we need to incorporate a statistical based analysis method to analyze the contractor’s on-going QC results as well as for comparing Agency results to the contractor’s. They also suggest that electronic data collection methods would be beneficial to ODOT in incorporating the statistical analysis methods into the program.
OBJECTIVES:
procedures other states are using in analyzing QC /QA data, what options are availab
The objective of this research project is to investigate what statistical analysis le for electronic data collection, and develop statistical methods and processes to incorporate into ODOT’s QA program.
APPROACH:
Evaluation of ODOT’s current system and develop a statistically valid procedure to analyze the contractor’s on-going QC test results, test method verification and process verification. Evaluate which processes and test procedures to apply statistical analysis procedures. Develop an electronic process for conducting the statistical analysis as well as guidelines for conducting the analysis, interpreting and using the results.
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| SPR 651 |
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Evaluating the Effectiveness of the Safety Investment Program (SIP) Policies for Oregon
| Project Coordinator: |
June Ross |
| Research Agency: |
Portland State University
Oregon State University |
| Principal Investigator: |
Christopher Monsere
& Karen Dixon |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
September 2006 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
June 2008 |
BACKGROUND:
The Oregon Department of Transportation (ODOT) Safety Investment Program (SIP) seeks to allocate safety funds in a manner that maximizes safety benefits on preservation projects and at specific high-crash locations. It is not known if SIP policy encourages the most cost-effective use of limited resources and whether it effectively sorts road segments requiring safety improvements and those where standards can be reduced.
OBJECTIVE:
The objective of this research is study the effectiveness of SIP policies in meeting the goals and objectives of the ODOT. The research will seek to answer a number of funding, design, and construction decisions as they relate to the SIP policy.
APPROACH:
The research team will complete a literature review that will identify practices followed by other states to balance safety and pavement preservation.
SIP fund allocation procedures will be evaluated to determine programming of funds across regions, target safety-based candidate projects, and perceived outcomes. This will provide a baseline for selecting regional case studies for specific safety evaluations.
An evaluation methodology will be developed to objectively quantify the impact of SIP policies on the final constructed project.
The research will explore alternative network screening techniques and investigate appropriate performance measures for the SIP.
Quarterly Reports:
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| SPR 653 |
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Determining Localized Anode Condition for Effective Corrosion Protection
| Project Coordinator |
Steven Soltesz |
| Research Agency: |
Oregon State University |
| Principal Investigator: |
Milo Koretsky |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
September 1, 2006 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
August 31, 2008 |
BACKGROUND:
ODOT has installed cathodic protection (CP) systems on eight reinforced concrete bridges along the Oregon Coast. Most of the CP zones rely on a consumable zinc anode to provide protective current to the underlying steel reinforcement. As the anode ages, chemical reactions near the interface between the zinc and concrete consume the anode resulting in an accumulation of reaction products. Initially, the bond between the anode and the concrete strengthens, but after five years of service the bond between the anode and the concrete continuously weakens with age. Also, the circuit resistance increases with age reducing the efficiency of the CP system. Previous laboratory work suggests that zinc anodes in impressed current CP systems will have a life of approximately 25 years. Current research in progress is expected to develop a condition rating for zinc anodes based on a combination of electrochemical age, circuit resistance, and bond strength. However, a practical method of determining localized anode condition is needed in order to determine the extent of deterioration and to prepare repair and maintenance strategies. Ideally, a method for condition assessment would be non-destructive or minimally destructive and could be carried out quickly in the field with minimal skill required.
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this project is to develop a practical, minimally destructive field procedure to determine the local anode condition of cathodic protection systems.
APPROACH:
A broad review of physical principles (and corresponding technologies) will be conducted that might be suitable as the basis for a device to assess the condition of zinc anodes in impressed current CP systems. Up to three technologies will be selected for further consideration based on applicability in the field, non-destructiveness or minimal destructiveness of the test, ease of use, cost, time required for development, and likelihood for success. Proof-of-concept testing will be conducted in a laboratory environment for the most promising technologies. Based on the laboratory results, a prototype device that meets the selection criteria will be developed and tested in the field.
Quarterly Reports:
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| SPR 654 |
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Waterway Enhancement Construction Methods
| Project Coordinator |
Matthew Mabey |
| Research Agency: |
Oregon State University |
| Principal Investigator: |
David N. Sillars |
| Start Date for ODOT: |
July 1, 2007 |
| Completion Date for ODOT: |
April 10, 2009 |
BACKGROUND:
ODOT has installed cathodic protection (CP) systems on eight reinforced concrete bridges along the Oregon Coast. Most of the CP zones rely on a consumable zinc anode to provide protective current to the underlying steel reinforcement. As the anode ages, chemical reactions near the interface between the zinc and concrete consume the anode resulting in an accumulation of reaction products. Initially, the bond between the anode and the concrete strengthens, but after five years of service the bond between the anode and the concrete continuously weakens with age. Also, the circuit resistance increases with age reducing the efficiency of the CP system. Previous laboratory work suggests that zinc anodes in impressed current CP systems will have a life of approximately 25 years. Current research in progress is expected to develop a condition rating for zinc anodes based on a combination of electrochemical age, circuit resistance, and bond strength. However, a practical method of determining localized anode condition is needed in order to determine the extent of deterioration and to prepare repair and maintenance strategies. Ideally, a method for condition assessment would be non-destructive or minimally destructive and could be carried out quickly in the field with minimal skill required.
OBJECTIVES:
The objective of this project is to develop a practical, minimally destructive field procedure to determine the local anode condition of cathodic protection systems.
APPROACH:
A broad review of physical principles (and corresponding technologies) will be conducted that might be suitable as the basis for a device to assess the condition of zinc anodes in impressed current CP systems. Up to three technologies will be selected for further consideration based on applicability in the field, non-destructiveness or minimal destructiveness of the test, ease of use, cost, time required for development, and likelihood for success. Proof-of-concept testing will be conducted in a laboratory environment for the most promising technologies. Based on the laboratory results, a prototype device that meets the selection criteria will be developed and tested in the field.
Quarterly Reports:
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