Date of Graduation

5-2013

Document Type

Thesis

Degree Name

Master of Science in Civil Engineering (MSCE)

Degree Level

Graduate

Department

Civil Engineering

Advisor/Mentor

Andrew F. Braham

Committee Member

Kevin D. Hall

Second Committee Member

Stacy G. William

Keywords

Applied sciences, Full depth reclamation, Pavement recycling, Raveling

Abstract

Full-Depth Reclamation (FDR) is a cost-effective rehabilitation treatment for deteriorated pavements. However, when using asphalt emulsion based rehabilitation techniques one of the most challenging aspects of FDR is determining when traffic can be returned to the rehabilitated pavement surface. Since asphalt emulsion mixtures need ample time for curing, they cannot be sealed with a surface layer until the water has evaporated from the rehabilitated layer. It is often not possible to keep the road closed until all of the water has evaporated and the surface layer is placed, therefore, at some point the traffic needs to be returned to the rehabilitated surface. Determining when this point occurs, however, is still unclear. A laboratory raveling test run on Superpave Gyratory Compactor prepared samples simulates the raveling that can occur on the newly recycled pavement, and will be used in conjunction with inexpensive, simple tests that can be used in the field by agencies and contractors to determine if traffic can be released without causing damage to the rehabilitated pavement surface. Three mix designs were analyzed and used in conjunction to produce the emulsion and foam samples used in the testing. An optimum emulsion content was found and used to produce all of the samples. Based on a review of literature and an evaluation of practicality, four tests are recommended to be modeled for field use: British Pendulum Tester, Dynamic Friction Tester, a field-scale cohesiometer, and a rebound tester. The in-house testers were put through numerous tests on asphalt emulsion and asphalt foam samples. It was decided that of all of the testers, the one that showed the most potential was the Sweep Tester. Alterations to improve the devices were stated after all of the testing was completed.

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