Requests
Closed
RESEARCH
PROBLEM STATEMENT:
There are reports based upon laboratory scenarios that describe
changes in properties of concrete mixes prepared in the laboratory
as a result of using lithium as an admixture. The information
that describes the impact of changing the dosage of lithium admixtures
and the effect on the characteristics and properties of early
age concrete being produced for mass paving is at best second
hand. Any changes in the properties of field placed concrete mixes
due to variations in the dosage of lithium admixtures must be
documented.
OBJECTIVES:
The
research program will be in the form of a three step solution.
1.
Evaluate the construction records of a concrete previously placed
in an airfield environment and determine if those records are
beneficial to providing information about the concrete properties
and any change in characteristics or properties at various dosages
of lithium.
2.
Using the construction records and a limited scope literature
search, develop a research plan that can be used to implement
a field sampling plan of fresh concrete and subsequently use those
samples to evaluate the characteristics and properties of both
fresh and hardened concrete. Field sampling and testing will be
accomplished on an actual airfield pavement construction project.
Coordination with both the airport owner and the paving contractor
will be a requirement.
3.
Determine the upper limits of lithium dosage for the concrete
mix before there are adverse affects on plastic or hardened properties.
This may be accomplished by duplicating the concrete mix used
for production in a laboratory and using that mix, progressively
increase dosages of the lithium admixture and determine the relevant
early age properties.
PRODUCTS:
The
final product will be an Innovative Pavement Research Foundation
(IPRF) report that provides the results of the investigation.
The final report should be a document(s) that the engineer or
constructor can read and gain an understanding of the impact of
using lithium as an admixture in airfield quality concrete used
for pavement.
The
final report will be provided to the IPRF in the form of two originals,
in a camera ready format, including any artwork, graphics or photos.
An electronic version of the final report in a format compatible
with off-the-shelf desktop computer publication software will
also be provided. 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 is expected to 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 Review and Information Gathering.
A.
Review existing literature. Provide a summary of any previous
research or reported problems of using lithium admixtures in
concrete pavement.
B.
Using the construction records of an actual construction program
that incorporated lithium as an admixture (provided by the IPRF
after award of the research contract), develop a preliminary
report that describes any impact of using the lithium admixtures
on the plastic or hardened concrete used for airport pavement
construction.
Task
2 - Document a Research Plan. Develop
a plan for doing the research. The anticipated techniques and
tests to be employed in the field and in the laboratory will be
straightforward. It is preferred that the tests specified would
have been employed in other published research or testing protocol.
The submittal of the research plan to the IPRF Technical Panel
is designated as the 20% review point of the research. As a part
of the proposal, the researcher will designate the approximate
time after the construction records review to report initial findings
and present a research plan for the field sampling and laboratory
testing. It is essential that the research plan be approved prior
to proceeding with Task 3.
A
20% on-board review will be accomplished. The investigator
will not proceed to Task 3 without the written approval of the
IPRF. An on-board review meeting must be scheduled prior to
the actual meeting. Documents that are prepared for technical
panel review must be provided 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
3 -Implement the Field Sampling and Testing Plan. Accomplish
the test plan on an actual airport pavement construction activity.
The plan will be implemented at the Hartsfield-Jackson International
Airport, Atlanta, GA. The project site will be the construction
of an apron. The estimated construction notice to proceed date
is March 20, 2005. The placement of concrete in the field is planned
to begin after May 1, 2005 and end before February 19, 2006.
Task
4 -Perform Laboratory Studies. Accomplish the laboratory studies
according to the research plan.
The
summary of initial findings is defined as the 60% review point
of the research. The report should be prepared and submitted at
a time during the field and laboratory studies such that corrections
to the test plan or modifications of test protocols could be accomplished
as deemed appropriate.
A
60% on-board review will be accomplished. The review will
be a meeting between the investigator and the IPRF Technical
Panel. The initial findings report will be provided to the technical
panel 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 - Advanced Final Report. When the field and laboratory study
is completed, make corrections using the 60% review, additional
data gathered as a result of the 60% review and the completion
of the laboratory testing. Include in the report all artwork,
graphical presentations, format, etc. The document shall be in
a form that for all intent is complete with the exception of final
comments made by the Technical Panel. The submittal of the advanced
final report is designated as the 90% review point of the research
project.
A 90% on-board review will be accomplished. The advanced
final report will be submitted to the IPRF Technical Panel for
review. The Technical Panel will have 30-days to review and
comment on the report. The report will include a summary of
the results of testing and recommendations for the research
plan that should be followed for mitigation of problems that
are discovered as a result of the research. The investigator
is responsible for documenting the comments of IPRF Technical
Panel members and the disposition of each comment.
Task
6 - 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:
-
A final report (an IPRF Report), that includes recommendations
for the research and study of probable mitigating methods,
with all artwork, graphics, tables, pictures, documentation,
etc. ready for reproduction and distribution. The report will
be submitted in two original documents and one on electronic
media.
- A
brief summary of the literature search, and a proposed research
plan. Submit 6 copies. This is defined as the 20% level
of completion. The products of the research to date 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.
- The
60% on-board review will be accomplished when the investigator
has developed initial findings that confirm the intent of
the research plan or require that test programs be modified.
The draft report (6 copies) will include a summary
of all research completed to date. The investigator will host
the meeting. Location will be determined in coordination with
the IPRF.
- Advanced
final report submittal (6 copies) for 90% review.
Other
Considerations and requirements.
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.
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 participate in a telephone
interview. 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 the interview to discuss the project
details, goals, and objectives.
The
proposal should describe the research plan that the investigator
intends to modify subsequent to a review of construction records.
Types of tests and the purpose for the test should be listed.
IPRF
PROCEDURAL GUIDANCE:
IPRF
procedural guidance documents are available below. 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 as an aide to the preparation of the proposal
include:
FUNDS
AVAILABLE: Not to Exceed $125,000
CONTRACT
TIME: Not to exceed 12 Months
PROJECT
DIRECTOR: Mr.
Quintin Watkins, (404) 530-5903
ESTIMATED NOTICE TO PROCEED: March 18, 2005
PROPOSAL
DUE DATE: February 28, 2005 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
