Requests Closed
RESEARCH PROBLEM
STATEMENT:
The
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) requires the owner to include
a stabilized sub-base in pavements that see traffic by aircraft
weighing more than 100,000 pounds. The Department of Defense (DoD)
requires all new airfield pavement construction to include a drainable
base (sub-base). In some regions of the country drainable base
is being included in private sector airfield pavements. It is
also a common practice to use an asphalt leveling course for overlay
pavement or as asphalt stabilized base. Experience demonstrates
that some pavements that incorporate a stabilized or open graded
sub-base experience early cracking (within 90 days). There appears
to be a consensus among design professionals and constructors
that the early cracking is the result of excessive sub-base strength
and high friction between the plastic concrete and the sub-base.
There is some research that provides evidence that smaller joint
spacing is required when stabilized base and open-graded materials
are used as sub-base. Design and construction guidance on the
design and construction of stabilized and open graded sub-base
is required.
OBJECTIVES:
The
final product will be a document that provides design and construction
criteria for incorporating stabilized and open-graded sub-base
materials as a part of the airfield rigid pavement structure.
Draft Advisory Circulars for implementing the requirements will
be developed by the investigator. The investigator will successfully
demonstrate the adequacy of the design criteria and the constructability
of stabilized and open-graded systems by building full scale test
pavements using the criteria outlined in the guide and draft Advisory
Circular(s). Full scale construction demonstration tests will
not be included as a part of an active airfield pavement project.
At
the conclusion of the research there should be a document(s) that
the engineer or constructor can read and gain an understanding
of the materials used and the design criteria to apply to specify
the construction of a stabilized or open-graded sub-base. The
criteria and the techniques necessary should result in a pavement
system that will provide the owner the expected level of service.
The investigator will provide two originals, in a camera ready
format, of the documents developed under this program including
any artwork, graphics or photos. There will also be a submittal
in an electronic format compatible with off-the-shelf desktop
computer publication software. The investigator will not be responsible
for the reproduction and printing of the final document(s) but
will assist with minor editing requirements generated by the printing
and reproduction process.
The
investigator will develop sub-tasks that when completed will result
in completion of the project within the time and budget available.
It is not necessary that the proposal reflect the exact budget
or the planned time. However, any deviation from the designated
resources must be justified and clearly explained in the proposal.
The following are the minimum tasks that are considered necessary
to complete the project.
Task
1 - Literature and Airport Project Review. Review existing
literature and/or source documents from which engineers determine
materials compatibility, thickness, strength, and construction
acceptance criteria for both stabilized and open graded layers.
For the purpose of this study, stabilized materials will include
cement stabilized base, cement treated base, and asphalt treated
base. Open graded materials are those with an aggregate gradation
developed for the purpose of promoting positive drainage. Open
graded materials may be stabilized or granular graded materials.
Identify
airports that have constructed stabilized and open graded sub-base
in pavement systems. Determine from project reviews the variables
that may or could demonstrate the success and failure variables
related to design and construction of stabilized and open-graded
sub-base. Identify candidate airport projects for further investigation.
IMPORTANT:
The investigator will not accomplish the initial data acquisition
by conducting a written survey. A survey is defined as the random
distribution of a standard list of questions that seek trends
or forecasting information. The use of such surveys must receive
approval through the IPRF from the Office of Management and Budget
(OMB). That process requires a minimum of 90 days from the date
of application for the survey approval. The 90 day approval period
is not included in the time designated as the performance period.
The investigator is encouraged to use a means other than "survey"
to identify the candidate airport projects.
Task
2 - Project Identification. Develop a list of projects at
airports that could be included in a detailed study. The list
must include scope, cost, owners, planners, designers, and constructors
(all stakeholders). The list must include projects at airports
representing the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) definitions
for the different categories of commercial airports and General
Aviation airports. The list should include a recommendation by
the investigator as why projects are included in a detailed study
and what information will be gleaned. The list of projects should
include pavements that are performing and those that experienced
some early distress. The list will be submitted to the IPRF for
review and concurrence at the 20% review.
Task
3 - Document a Research Plan. Develop a plan for gathering
data from the project list. Determine what information is to be
gathered and from whom.
A
20% on-board review will be accomplished. The investigator
will not proceed to Task 4 without the written approval of
the IPRF. The on-board review must be scheduled at least 30
days prior to the actual meeting. Documents that are prepared
for technical panel review must be provided at least 30 days
prior to the meeting. The location of the meeting will be
coordinated with the IPRF. The investigator is responsible
for documenting the comments of IPRF technical panel members
and the disposition of each comment.
Task
4 -Pavement Performance Interviews. Conduct interviews with
the stakeholders and consolidate data. The materials incorporated
in the pavement system will be documented and the placement conditions
must be described. The pavement capacity in terms of gear load
and gross weight should be used to provide category divisions
for pavements.
Develop
a draft report that includes a summary of the projects studied
and the lessons learned from the studies. Determine the characteristics
that lead to acceptable construction and pavement performance.
Prepare a design guide for the use of stabilized and open-graded
materials as layers in the rigid airport pavement system. Develop
Draft Advisory Circulars to be used as the implementing tools
of the design guide.
A
60% on-board review will be accomplished. The review will
be a meeting between the investigator and the IPRF Technical
Panel. The draft report will be provided to the technical
panel at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The investigator
is expected to present to the technical panel discussion items
that will result in policy decisions for critical elements
of the final report. Additional research may be needed to
respond to questions that are developed as a result of the
on-board review. The location of the meeting will be coordinated
with the IPRF. The investigator is responsible for documenting
the comments of IPRF technical panel members and the disposition
of each comment.
Task
5 - Demonstration of Constructability. The investigator shall
provide a site for and pay for the construction of a minimum of
three (3) full scale pavement cross-sections. The purpose of the
cross sections will be to demonstrate that rigid pavements can
be constructed using the design guide and the draft specifications
(Advisory Circular) and that the intent of the design criteria
can be realized using locally available materials. The demonstration
will be accomplished with techniques that use conventional construction
equipment. The test sections will include the construction of
a Portland cement concrete surface course. The constructability,
response to construction traffic, and acceptance criteria used
for the sub-base construction will be evaluated. The design guide
and the draft specifications will be modified using the lessons
learned in the full scale test construction.
Task
6 - Advanced Final Design Guide(s). Make corrections using
the 60% review, additional data gathered as a result of the 60%
review and the test construction. Include in the 90% report all
artwork, graphical presentations, format, etc. The 90% document
shall be in a form that for all intent is complete with the exception
of final comments made by the technical panel.
A
90%on-board review will be accomplished. The review will
be a meeting between the investigator and the IPRF Technical
Panel. The draft design guide(s) (as an IPRF Report) and specifications
(in the form of Advisory Circulars), will be provided to the
technical panel at least 30 days prior to the meeting. The
location of the meeting will be coordinated with the IPRF.
The investigator is responsible for documenting the comments
of IPRF technical panel members and the disposition of each
comment.
Task
7 - Final Report. Make corrections to the 90% document and
submit the final documents to the IPRF. Assist the IPRF with publication
related editing.
Products
Summary:
1.
A final report in the form of design guides (an IPRF Report)
and recommended specifications (Advisory Circular) complete
with all artwork, graphics, tables, pictures, documentation,
etc. ready for reproduction and distribution. The final documents
will address material characteristics, thickness and pavement
details for design criteria for stabilized/open-graded sub-base.
The guidelines will also include recommendations for thickness
design and jointing considerations for rigid pavement. The report
will be submitted in two original documents and one on electronic
media.
2.
A list of projects and a proposed research plan. Submit 8 copies.
This is defined as the 20% level of completion. The project
list and the proposed methods on obtaining information will
be reviewed at an on-board meeting at a location to be determined.
The investigator will host the meeting. Location will be determined
in coordination with the IPRF.
3.
The 60% on-board review will be accomplished approximately 30-days
after submittal of a draft report. The draft report (8 copies)
will include a summary of data collected and recommended discussion
items. The investigator will host the meeting. Location will
be determined in coordination with the IPRF.
4.
Advanced final report submittal (8 copies) and 90% on-board
review. The investigator will host the meeting. Location will
be determined in coordination with the IPRF.
5.
Final report review (8 copies) and comment by IPRF technical
panel.
Other
Considerations and requirements:
1. The investigator will be responsible for the preparation
of quarterly reports that describe the progress of the research
effort. Reports are due in the offices of the IPRF on the last
day of the fiscal year quarter. The reports will be limited
to two pages in a format specified by the IPRF. The first page
will be a word document describing the progress of the work.
The second page will provide a summary of the estimated costs
versus the costs incurred to the report date.
2.
Because of the limited resources, it is not possible to have
an exhaustive list of projects to document. Therefore, in proposing
candidate projects, the investigator should consider thermal
regimes (sub-tropical, central, and northern tier), pavement
features (taxiways, intersections, runways, aprons), and projects
that involve rehabilitation and reconstruction.
3.
The investigator will define the terms "stabilized" and "open-graded."
The terms must relate exactly what combination of materials
and properties will result in the defined sub-base (base). The
definition must include guidelines for the use of chemical stabilization.
Included in the definition of open-graded (OG) materials will
be the limits for permeability (rate and time). The OG guide
must define the correct use of a drainable layer for intercepting
infiltration or capillary water.
4.
Considerations for elements that should be included in the design
guides should be based upon materials selection, intent of the
system, and the expected quality of the pavement system. As
a minimum the elements should include:
-
Planning
- Strength
Issues
-
Design
- Cost
- Time
- Quality
- Bond
Breakers
- Joint
Spacing
- Material
Sensitivity
- Material
Gradations
- Frost
Design
|
-
Construction and Ambient Temperature and Season Change
- Joint
Load Transfer Efficiency
- Schedule
for Saw Cutting
- Engineering
Characteristics of Systems
- Innovation
in Materials
- Techniques
- Safety
- Performance
|
-
Quality Controls and Acceptance Criteria
-
Incentives (Penalty or Bonus)
-
Risk Assumptions
- Pavement
Penetrations
-
Construction Sequences
-
Opening to Traffic
-
Use of Recycled Materials
-
Geotextiles
|
5.
The investigator will initiate contact with the airports that
are selected for detailed study and documentation of projects
through the IPRF. The investigator will provide a draft letter.
The IPRF will edit the letter of introduction to the airports
and may include an endorsement of the letter by the FAA. This
is intended to encourage participation by the airports and their
sponsors.
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
After
the technical panel completes the evaluation of proposals, each
of the proposals will be rank ordered. The organization, group,
or individual that is ranked as the first and second choice for
the recommendation to award may be asked to make a presentation
to the project technical panel. The Principal Investigator, and
one other person, representing the entity ranked first and second
choice by the technical panel may be asked to participate in an
interview to discuss the project details, goals, and objectives.
The IPRF will reimburse the expenses (up to 2 people) to make
this presentation at a location yet to be determined. The interview
will occur within a 45-day window subsequent to the proposal submittal
deadline.
IPRF PROCEDURAL
GUIDANCE:
IPRF
procedural guidance documents are available on the web at http://www.iprf.org/
in the section titled "Airfields Research." Persons preparing
proposals are urged to review the following documents to be sure
that there is a full understanding of IPRF procedures and requirements.
Proposals must be prepared in the format specified in the instruction
documents. The proposal will be submitted as one (1) original
and 8 copies.
The
documents required as an aide to the preparation of the proposal
include:
PDF files require Acrobat Reader to view.
FUNDS
AVAILABLE: Not to Exceed $425,000
CONTRACT
TIME: Not to exceed 14 Months
PROJECT
DIRECTOR: James L. Lafrenz, P.E., (202) 842-1131, jlafrenz@pavement.com
ESTIMATED
NOTICE TO PROCEED DATE: June 15, 2003
PROPOSAL
DUE DATE: April 21, 2003 not later than 4:00 P.M. (Eastern
Time)
DELIVERY
INSTRUCTIONS:
Proposals
will be delivered to:
Innovative
Pavement Research Foundation
Cooperative Programs Office
1010 Massachusetts Ave., N.W., Suite 200
Washington DC 20001
(202) 842-1131
FAX: (202) 842-2022
Attention: Research Proposal Log
