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RESEARCH PROBLEM
STATEMENT:
Current
trends in pavement design philosophy utilize sophisticated analytical
modeling coupled with correlations acquired through accelerated
trafficking and empirical knowledge. Following this trend, the
Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) will release an advanced
airfield pavement design procedure in 2006 that is based upon
finite element modeling.
Overlay design
philosophy lags behind this trend. The current rigid pavement
overlay design techniques were developed from full scale loading
tests accomplished in the 1950's. The material characterizations
and data from those full scale tests do not necessarily provide
information that is compatible with today's analytical tools and
procedures. A better understanding of the influence of design
parameters on pavement overlay design is required.
The Innovative
Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF) report, Improved Design
Parameters (01-G-002-2), written by ERES Consultants, identifies
the parameters that need to be developed for rigid pavement overlay
design using advanced pavement design tools. The report,
also sets forth a full scale test protocol that is intended to
be accomplished at the FAA National Airport Pavement Test Facility
(NAPTF) near Atlantic City, NJ. The implementation cost of that
plan is more than $2M. That cost exceeds the annual budget authority
of the IPRF. A plan to prioritize and execute an initial test
series, including data analysis, within budget limits (in bite
size chunks) is necessary.
The Principal
Investigator (PI) will organize and assemble a master test matrix
that will result in the development of improved rigid pavement
overlay design techniques. The PI will prepare work statements
for construction and instrumentation of a test section (or sections)
that the PI elects to accomplish based on the master test matrix.
The PI will solicit qualification statements, accept proposals
and make recommendations to the IPRF for award of contracts to
construct the test section(s) according to plans and specifications
prepared by the PI. The money to accomplish the construction and
the instrumentation of the test section(s) will come from the
budget available for this work. The FAA (NAPTF) can provide some
support to the testing, subject to agreements being signed by
the IPRF and the FAA. Those support items include, but not limited
too, subgrade preparation and operation of the test machine (refer
to the special conditions section of this document). The PI is
responsible for data collection and analysis. The final report
will include updating the master test matrix and presenting the
findings from this work. Recommendations for successive testing
will be included in the final report.
OBJECTIVES:
The PI will build
a master test matrix and subsequently design and execute the management
of at least one of a series of experimental programs intended
to expand the knowledge of the design parameters used for thickness
determination of rigid overlay on rigid airfield pavements. The
work will be accomplished in multiple tasks - including benchmark
evaluations of progress. Validation testing and data analysis
will be accomplished using full scale pavement construction and
loading at the NAPTF. The first test section(s) is expected to
be limited in scope because of resources available but that test
section(s) must provide information that is considered critical
to follow on testing. Therefore, it should be manifest, that the
first test section(s) will control the tone and temper of the
total program. The first test sequence must answer a question(s)
that is critical to understanding the impact of the variables
on rigid pavement overlay design thickness.
As a minimum,
- The PI will
review the current IPRF report and layout a master test matrix
that provides a roadmap for an experimental program, that when
completed in total, will result in a new rigid pavement overlay
protocol. Each of the test plan elements must be consistent
with projected funds. The funds projection will be provided
after selection of a proposal and award of a contract.
- Update the current
IPRF report based upon the review.
- Prioritize the
testing to assure that critical data is obtained at the advent
of the program. The follow on program elements should build
upon the initial results. The test sequence should get the program
to the point of diminishing returns while defining the exact
nature of the impact of the variables on the design solution.
As a part of the process, the sensitivity of the variables must
be defined and quantified.
- An initial
prioritization of the variables, based upon the experience
of the PI, is a requirement. The variables include but are
not limited to:
- Base
Pavement support - includes sub-grade and sub-base.
- Structural
Condition Index (SCI) of base pavement. What is the
best way to measure and analytically represent the material
properties and physical condition of the base pavement?
- How
is the effective modulus of the base pavement quantified?
- What
is the influence of ASR/D-Cracking on the effective
modulus of the base slab?
- What
interface conditions exist between the base slab and
the overlay? How is the interface assessed and measured?
Are there materials used to separate the base pavement
from the overlay that would influence the interface
in either in a positive or negative manner.
- Is the
joint location of the overlay with respect to the existing
pavement a variable or a design practice?
- How
does Gear Configuration and Tire load for specific aircraft
overlay thickness design?.
- Develop
cost estimates for accomplishing each element of the master
test plan.
- Prepare construction
documents and receive proposals to construct the first test
section(s). The entity selected to accomplish the construction
will be managed by the PI, including doing QC, but they will
be under contract to the IPRF. The funds for the construction
will come from funds available for this work.
- Develop
the statement of work for pre-qualification of the contractor
that will be used to construct the test section.
- Develop
the statement of work for pre-qualification of the contractor
that will be used to instrument the test section.
- Contractors
and specialty teams must be familiar with the facilities
at the NAPTF.
- The PI will
oversee the tesoting, collect the data, and analyze the data.
- Based upon the
results, revise the master test plan developed as the initial
task and recommend successive testing.
PRODUCTS:
The final document
will be an Innovative Pavement Research Foundation (IPRF) report
that addresses all of the stated objectives.
The PI will provide
two original documents, in a camera-ready format including artwork,
graphics, and/or photos. The final report will also be submitted
in an electronic format compatible with off-the-shelf desktop
computer publication software. The PI will not be responsible
for the reproduction and printing of the final documents but will
assist with minor editing requirements generated by the printing
and reproduction process.
TASK ORGANIZATION:
The PI will be
responsible for developing a series of sub-tasks that when completed
will result in completion of this study within the time and budget
available. It is not necessary that the proposal reflect the exact
budget or the performance period indicated; however, any deviation
from the available resources must be justified and clearly explained
in the proposal.
The following are
considered as the minimum tasks that are necessary to do the work
under the limitations set forth in this document. The proposal
may include an increase or decrease in the number of tasks. The
number of "on-board" reviews will be retained. "On-board" reviews
are face to face meetings between the PI and the Technical Panel
(Please refer to the Program Formulation and Management Guide
for the description of the Technical Panel and their role in the
research).
Task 1 -Review
the IPRF Report 01-G-002-2, Improved Design Parameters: The
review will be accomplished for the purpose of doing four things.
- Gaining an understanding
of the capabilities and limitations at the FAA National Airport
Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF).
- Understanding
the variables that are considered influential to the development
of design solutions for rigid overlays. The investigator will
prioritize the variables and accomplish a sensitivity analysis.
The sensitivity analysis will be used to allocate resources
for accomplishing the research objectives.
- Developing a
master plan that will be a roadmap of elements that when individually
accomplished will result in an answer to a specific question
or will establish the basis for doing a subsequent test. It
should not be necessary to accomplish the elements in sequence
- any one of the elements could be completed and provide a quantifiable
understanding of a variable.
- Allows the PI
to understand the scope and conditions to accomplish the initial
series of testing. The investigator will define the scope and
requirements for the initial testing.
Task 2 - Prepare
the Master Plan: The PI will develop the master test plan.
The end result is a design protocol for rigid pavement overlays
of existing rigid pavement. The plan will identify the minimum
tasks necessary to achieve the objectives. The plan will discuss
key elements, summarize the variables and their priority for investigation,
and identify any holes in available information on rigid pavement
overlay design protocol.
A 20 % "on-board"
review meeting will be held at the end of Task 2. The PI
will not proceed to Task 3 without the written approval from
the IPRF. The review meeting must be scheduled at least 30 days
prior to the actual meeting. Documents that are prepared for
the technical panel review must be provided at least 30 days
prior to the meeting.
The location
of the meeting will be coordinated through the IPRF. The PI
will provide a recording secretary at the review meeting. The
comments of the IPRF technical panel members and the disposition
of each comment will be recorded. Minutes of the meeting will
be developed by the PI.
Task 3 - Planning
the Accomplishment of the First Test Series of the Master Plan:
Once the plan the Technical Panel agrees with the test plan, the
first test(s) shall be accomplished. The PI will include the following
in their work plan as a minimum:
- Qualification
Statements of the construction Contractor
- Qualification
Statements for the Instrumentation Team
- Project Plans
and Specifications
- Recommendations
for Award of Contractor and Specialty Teams
- Contract Awards
and Management of Construction (Includes QC)
- Oversight of
Testing and Monitoring
- Preliminary
Data Analysis
Task 4 - Draft
Report Preparation: A draft report will be prepared and submitted
to the IPRF. The draft report will include documentation and results
of the Task 3 efforts.
A 60% review
meeting will be held after the submission of the draft report.
The draft report will be provided to the Technical Panel at
least 30 days prior to the meeting. Comments of the Technical
Panel will be discussed at the review meeting. The PI is expected
to present to the Technical Panel discussion items that will
result in policy decisions for the critical elements that will
be a part of the final report. Additional research, subject
to resources available, may be needed to respond to questions
that are developed as a result of the review meeting.
The meeting will
be coordinated through the IPRF. The PI will provide a recording
secretary for the meeting. The comments of the IPRF Technical
Panel and the disposition of each comment will be recorded.
Minutes of the meeting will be developed by the PI.
Task 5 - Accomplish
the Data Analysis: The PI will accomplish the data analysis
and provide the results of findings in a final report. The work
will include the revision of the master test plan as written under
Task 2 as necessary.
Task 6 - Advanced
Draft Final Report: The investigator will make corrections
using the 60% review comments of the Technical Panel and the data
analysis. All artwork, graphical presentations, format, etc. will
be included in the advanced Draft Final Report. For all intent
and purpose, the advanced Draft Final Report shall be complete
with the exception of the incorporation of final comments made
by the technical panel.
A 90% "conference
call" review meeting will be held after the submission of
the advanced Draft Final Report. The draft report will be provided
to the Technical Panel at least 30 days prior to the date of
the conference call. The investigator will provide a recording
secretary and the comments of the Technical Panel and the disposition
of each will be recorded. The Technical Panel may, at its discretion,
mandate that the 90% review be an "on-board" review depending
upon the completeness of the advanced Draft Final Report.
Task 7 - Final
Report: The investigator will submit the final report to the
IPRF and assist with editing that is related to the publication
process.
PRODUCTS SUMMARY
| 1. |
The
20% deliverables include seven (7) copies of a master test
plan report that outlines the results of review of the IPRF
report and the scope of the elements to accomplish the objectives
of the research. |
| 2. |
The
60% deliverables include seven (7) copies of the draft report. |
| 3.
|
The 90% deliverables include seven (7) copies of the advanced
Draft Final Report. |
| 4. |
Final
deliverables include a Final Report (as two originals) complete
with all artwork, graphics, tables, pictures, documentation,
etc. ready for reproduction. The report will also be submitted
on electronic media compatible with desktop publication
software. |
OTHER CONSIDERATIONS AND REQUIREMENTS:
| 1. |
The
investigator is responsible for the preparation of quarterly
reports that describe the progress of the research effort.
Quarterly reports are due in the offices of the IPRF on
the last day of the last month of the fiscal year quarter.
The reports will be limited to two pages. 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 through the end of the quarter. |
| 2. |
The
full scale testing program will be accomplished at the FAA
National Airport Pavement Test Facility near Atlantic City,
NJ. The investigator will be responsible for daily coordination
with the staff at the NAPTF during the construction, testing
and data acquisition. |
SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS:
| 1. |
As part of the selection process, the IPRF Technical Panel
will evaluate each proposal and each of the proposals will
be rank ordered. The organization, group, or individual
ranked as the first and second choice for the recommendation
to award may be asked to participate in a telephone interview
with the Technical Panel. The PI and one other person representing
the investigating team will be asked to participate in the
interview. The interview, if it does occur, will occur within
a 45-day window subsequent to the proposal submittal deadline.
The IPRF will attempt to notify the people that submit proposals
of the approximate date that interviews will be accomplished
if they are required. |
| 2. |
The
FAA NAPTF can provide support for the test program subject
to appropriate agreements being signed. The items that should
be considered by the PI as "subject to discussion pending
the development of appropriate agreements" for the purpose
of preparing the proposal. The support agreement, in Draft
form, is provided as supplemental information to this document. |
IPRF PROCEDURAL
GUIDANCE:
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 6 copies.
The
documents required to assist in the preparation of the proposal
include:
PDF files require Acrobat Reader to view.
FUNDS
AVAILABLE: Not to Exceed $780,000
CONTRACT
TIME: Not to exceed 22 Months
PROJECT
DIRECTOR: Mr. Jim Lafrenz, PE, (785) 742-6900, jlafrenz@pavement.com
ESTIMATED
NOTICE TO PROCEED DATE: August 1, 2005
PROPOSAL
DUE DATE: June 21, 2005 not later than 4:00 P.M. (Central
Time)
DELIVERY
PROPOSALS TO:
Mr. Jim Lafrenz,
P.E.
Innovative Pavement Research Foundation
Cooperative Programs Office
201 Shawnee Street
Hiawatha, KS 66434
(785) 742-6900
FAX: (785) 742-6908
