Aggregate Subgrade Improvements Using Quarry By-products: A Field Investigation

Qamhia, Issam I. A.; Tutumluer, Erol; Wang, Han

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/110041 Copy

Description

Title

Aggregate Subgrade Improvements Using Quarry By-products: A Field Investigation

Author(s)

• Qamhia, Issam I. A.
• Tutumluer, Erol
• Wang, Han

Issue Date

2021-06

Keyword(s)

• Aggregate Subgrade Improvement
• Quarry By-product Aggregates
• Field Evaluation
• Case Study
• Sustainable Construction
• Nondestructive Testing
• Back-calculation
• Aggregate Blends

Abstract

This report presents a case study for constructing aggregate subgrade improvement (ASI) layers using quarry by-product aggregates (QBA), a quarry mix of large primary crushed rocks (PCR) and sand-sized quarry fines. The construction took place at Larry Power Road in Bourbonnais Township in Kankakee County, Illinois, where the Illinois Department of Transportation placed two QBA mixes. The first mix (QBA_M1) consisted of 45% quarry by-products and 55% railroad ballast–sized 3×1 PCR. The second mix (QBA_M2) consisted of 31% and 69% quarry by-products and PCR, respectively. Two conventional ASI sections were also constructed conforming to Illinois Department of Transportation’s CS02 gradation. All sections consisted of a 9 in. (229 mm) QBA/PCR layer topped with a 3 in. (76 mm) dense-graded capping layer. Laboratory studies preceded the construction to recommend optimum quarry by-product content in the QBA materials and construction practice. The Illinois Center for Transportation research team monitored the quality and uniformity of the construction using nondestructive testing techniques such as dynamic cone penetrometer, lightweight deflectometer, and falling weight deflectometer. The segregation potential was monitored by visual inspection and imaging-based techniques. Short-term field evaluation of the constructed QBA layers, particularly QBA_M2 with a 31% quarry by-product content, showed no evidence of abnormal segregation and did not jeopardize the structural integrity of the QBA ASI layers, which had slightly lower but comparable strength and stiffness profiles to the conventional ASI sections. The use of QBA materials in ASI was field validated as a sustainable construction practice to provide stable pavement foundation layers.

Publisher

Illinois Center for Transportation/Illinois Department of Transportation

Series/Report Name or Number

FHWA-ICT-21-012

ISSN

0197-9191

Type of Resource

text

Language

en

Permalink

http://hdl.handle.net/2142/110041

DOI

https://doi.org/10.36501/0197-9191/21-017

Sponsor(s)/Grant Number(s)

IDOT-ICT-SP43

Copyright and License Information

No restrictions. This document is available through the National Technical Information Service, Springfield, VA 22161.

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