Highway Construction Research Articles

Performance based concrete quality assessment with gas permeability testing on site

In terms of sustainability and durability, performance-based design is becoming increasingly important for the quality assessment of concrete structures. Up to now, prescriptive approaches for concrete composition and processing and the determination of concrete strength on cast samples have primarily been used as quality assurance. As this does not take into account the quality and pore structure of the as-built concrete cover, which has a significant influence on durability as a protective zone against penetrating media, the conventional approach to quality control is not representative for this zone. In particular, the permeability of the concrete cover, which is largely dependent on the pore structure, is responsible for the ability of aggressive substances from the environment to ingress into the concrete and, depending on its quality, determines damage processes in the reinforced concrete, such as carbonation. For this reason, investigations to gas permeability on real structures are presented here, which include the possibilities and limitations of measuring and evaluating gas permeability as a durability indicator. Long-term observation was carried out on concrete walls of a motorway construction site, from a young concrete age of 14 days to a higher age of max. 800 days, in order to determine changes in the material structure of the surface area and to analyse their influence on the gas permeability. The concrete walls were treated in advance during hydration up to an age of 7 days with different curing times and types in order to simulate good, medium and poor concrete surfaces. Clear differences in the quality of the concrete cover could already be determined by means of gas permeability. The influence of the surface structure, the effect of the environment and the long-term development of the concrete structure on the permeability are also addressed in this work.

Exploring the key risk factors impeding the performance of highway construction projects: an evidence from Nigeria

Purpose Construction projects, and particularly highway infrastructures, are known to be major contributors to the socio-economic growth of developing countries. However, these types of projects are infamous for being highly risky due to the interplay of numerous risk factors. This study aims to explore the key risk factors impacting on the performance of highway infrastructure projects in Nigeria from the contextual viewpoint of key industry stakeholders. Design/methodology/approach Qualitative data was collected using semi-structured interviews. Specifically, 17 in-depth expert interviews were conducted with experienced stakeholders in the highway sector of the Nigerian construction industry. The collected data was transcribed and analysed using an established coding framework (grounded on case study approach, principles of thematic analysis and saliency analysis). Findings Overall, 17 key risks were identified from the data analysis process, and 6 risks were recognised as the most significant, based on the combination of prevalence of occurrence and significance of the coded information. The six top risks were: change in government, corruption, cost of construction materials, inflation, project funding issues and construction project delay. However, the first two of these risks (change in government and corruption) are politically related, which is specific and unique to the setting of Nigeria and thus might be seen as discouraging indicators that could have an impact on attracting foreign investors/contractors to Nigeria. Originality/value The study addressed the gap related with identifying context-specific risk factors impeding the performance of highway projects in Nigeria from the viewpoints of industry experts. It is expected that the findings will provide a better insight into the various risk factors and thus aid relevant policymakers to provide context-specific mitigating strategies.

Leveraging grants to coordinate land use and transportation planning for local governments: a review of national MPO programs

ABSTRACT Throughout the United States, Metropolitan Planning Organizations (MPOs) are increasingly attempting to shape local land use planning. Some MPOs have developed funding programs that redirect highway and road construction dollars to support less auto-centric community development - which we call Transportation and Land-Use Connection (TLC) programs. Based on a survey of 92 MPOs (out of 402 contacted) and a review of relevant documents, our paper aims to understand the scope and influence of these TLC programs on communities and how their impact is measured. We found that at least 24 MPOs had TLC programs. Our findings show that despite federal funding predominantly supporting these programs, state, county, local, and other regional agencies also provide support. Population size appears to be the most significant influence on an MPO’s participation in a TLC program. Most programs measure pre-implementation success through selection criteria reflecting program goals rather than direct impact measurement. For those that do measure after grants have been awarded, increased non-automobile shares tax revenue and jobs-housing balance were the most common ways success was measured. These findings can help MPOs with existing TLC programs improve formulation guidelines and assist MPOs without such programs in adopting them in their jurisdictions.

Analysis and Applications of the Two Phases Closed Thermosyphon Technology in the Highways in Permafrost Regions: A Review

Permafrost spans approximately 23–25% of the land in the northern hemisphere, primarily found in Russia, Canada, USA, and China. Numerous engineering projects, particularly those related to transportation, are situated within these permafrost regions. Due to the impact of highway construction and global warming, the permafrost beneath the infrastructure is deteriorating, leading to significant damage. Two phases closed thermosyphon (TPCT) is a widely accepted green countermeasure against the problem in permafrost regions. Although it has been applied to prevent permafrost degradation, their application presents significant challenges on account of the stronger endothermic action of asphalt pavement. This paper focused on a review of the thermosyphon technology and application in the permafrost. Moreover, the article highlighted the excellent working performance of the TPCT that improves the stability of the infrastructures and prevents it degrading due its excellent efficiency in terms of heat transfer. The industrial applications of the TPCT were also summarized, along with their limitations. Ultimately, the findings presented in this paper can offer crucial insights for future TPCT design and development in permafrost areas.

A study on settlements of road embankments on soft ground using vertical drains

In civil engineering, the study of embankment settlement on soft ground is a vital geotechnical task in order to maintain serviceability of the road embankment, pavement, and facilities. This paper presents a study on settlements of road embankment on soft ground using vertical drains, including prefabricated-vertical drain (PVD), sand drain (SD), and sand compaction pile (SCP) on a number of packages of Hanoi – Haiphong Expressway Construction Project. The effectiveness of settlement prediction of vertical drain solutions is evaluated considering the ratios between the observed consolidation settlements and settlements predicted in the Detailed Design, in relation to the thickness of soft soil and the depth of treatment. Regression analysis is used to establish the correlation between the observed settlement and the height of embankment. The results show that (i) the design generally overestimated settlements; (ii) the ratios between observed and predicted settlements tend to positively correlate with the thickness of soft soil and the depth of treatment, and (iii) there are positive correlations between the height of embankment and the observed settlement. These correlations can be a valuable source of reference for anticipating settlements in basic design of highway projects with soft ground treated by vertical drains, in the regions that have geological stratum similar to Thabinh and Haihung formations of Bacbo Plain

Quantitative study on fatigue characteristics of warm mix recycled asphalt

The warm mix recycling technology of asphalt pavement can improve the utilization rate of solid waste in highway construction industry on a large scale, and reduce the emission of harmful gases ( NOX, CO2, benzopyrene, etc.) in the process of road construction. It is one of the effective ways to realize carbon neutrality in highway construction industry. The main purpose of this study is to systematically analyze the fatigue characteristics of warm mix recycled asphalt (WMRA) from the perspective of quantitative research, and to provide scientific basis for the popularization and application of this technology. Therefore, this study mainly evaluated the anti-fatigue characteristics of WMRA under different conditions based on the linear amplitude sweeping test ( LAS test). Based on the calculation and analysis of the commonly used fatigue judgment indexes ( stress-strain curve, phase angle-strain curve, S×N curve ( S is the ratio of the instantaneous modulus to the initial modulus of the material, which is often replaced by the virtual modulus in the LAS test, and N is the number of cyclic loadings.), virtual strain storage energy-strain curve), the peak strain of virtual strain storage energy is recommended as the fatigue judgment standard from the perspective of reliability and accuracy, and the peak strain of damage factor is proposed as one of the new fatigue judgment standards. In this paper, the nucleation of microcracks and the coalescence of microcracks are distinguished in the process of fatigue damage evolution, and the peak strain of virtual strain energy storage and the peak strain of damage factor are used as the judging indexes respectively. Finally, based on the theory of continuum damage mechanics, the loss modulus of WMRA is selected as the representative value of material properties to calculate the virtual modulus and damage factor, and the fatigue damage evolution model of WMRA based on the viscoelastic continuum damage model ( VECD model) was constructed. Based on this model, the anti-fatigue characteristics of WMRA with the reclaimed asphalt pavement ( RAP) content were analyzed.

Performance Study of Hot & Cold Mix Using Bitumen and Emulsion

This project work describes laboratory experiments and presents results for the cold-mix mixtures. Construction of highway involves huge performances of hot and cold-mix mix outlay of investment. A precise design may save considerable amount of investment, as well, a reliable performance of the in-service highway can be achieved. Two things are of major considerations in this regard - pavement design and the mix design. This project work emphasizes some of the new considerations involved in the concept of mix design. Though there are a few equipment used for estimation of stability of the bituminous mixes in the laboratory. the Marshall test is the most popular one, possibly due to its simplicity and low cost.

TRENDS AND STRATEGIES FOR THE DEVELOPMENT OF MULTIMODALITY

The construction of highways facilitated the adaptation of an economy to the road network, so that only a small proportion of industrial facilities were located near railway lines or canal networks. In addition, the competitiveness of rail transport is reduced due to a lack of flexibility on timetabled routes. This is in stark contrast to the freedom and flexibility of road transport, which is able to synchronize the freight movements and manufacturing and warehousing operations much better. In the Studies for the TRAN Committee Modal change in European transport: the way forward , multimodality is identified as a potential solution to the question of sustainable freight transport. KEYWORDS: Freight, Strategies, Transport, Trends, Tariff, Import Duty, Customs Authorities, Maritime Shipping

Research on Performance Evaluation of Full Process Cost Management in Expressway Projects

The research purpose of this article is to optimize the performance evaluation of cost management throughout the entire process of highway projects. Currently, China's highway construction is booming, but cost management is complex and requires the construction of a scientific performance evaluation system to comprehensively supervise and evaluate engineering costs. This article used literature induction method for literature review, followed by expert scoring method to assign scores to indicators, and finally used Analytic Hierarchy Process to determine indicator weights. From the results, this study identified key factors that affect the overall cost management performance of highway projects, and constructed relevant evaluation models and weight hierarchy tables. Therefore, the results of this article are helpful in accurately controlling project costs, evaluating benefits, and optimizing fund management, which is of great significance for improving the level of highway project management and investment return rate.

Centrifuge model test study on consolidation characteristics of soft soil base with drainage pile in highway widening

In recent years, the widening of existing highways has emerged as a prominent focal point in highway construction. However, uneven settlement often occurs when highways are widened, which sometimes leads to the cracking of pavements, particularly, on a soft soil foundation. Drainage piles have been used to strengthen soft soils by reducing settlement and accelerating drainage consolidation. However, the drainage effect on the consolidation characteristics of drainage piles is still unclear. In this paper, a series of centrifuge model tests were conducted to study the consolidation characteristics of soft soil fixed with drainage piles in highway widening. The test results show that an obvious settlement exists in the old embankment shoulder, whereas a smaller settlement occur near the embankment axis and below the toe of the new embankment. In comparison with the ordinary pile and drainage board, the drainage piles hasten the settlement process of the soil foundation, indicating that drainage piles can significantly accelerate the consolidation of the soft soil foundation.

Water retention behavior and shear strength of artificially cemented granite residual soil subjected to free drying

Artificially cemented soils have been widely used as filling materials in highway and railway construction. The shear strength evolution of filling materials upon moist variation can determine the stability of subgrade and embankments. This study conducted water retention tests, MIP tests, and multi-stage triaxial shear tests on cement-treated granite residual soil (GRS) to determine its water retention curve (WRC) upon free drying, pore structure, and peak shear strength qf, respectively. The water retention behavior and shear strength evolution upon free drying were modeled based on the dual-porosity structure of cement-treated GRS and the effective stress principle, respectively. Results show that the drying-WRC is bimodal and higher cement dosage yields a more severe decrease in the water retention capacity within a specific suction range. For a given confining pressure, the peak shear strength qf increased with increasing cement dosage or suction value s. The peak shear strength qf also solely depends on the suction value in the peak stress state. In addition, the cement-treated GRS has a bimodal pore size distribution curve, and its macro- and micro-void ratios remain almost unchanged after free drying. The bimodal drying-WRC of the cement-treated GRS can be modeled by differentiating the water retention mechanisms in macro- and micro-pores. Moreover, using the macro-pore degree of saturation as the effective stress parameter χ = SrM, the qf–pf′ relationship (where pf′ is the effective mean pressure at failure) under various suction and stress conditions can be unified, and the qf–s relationships at various net confining pressures σ3,net can be well reproduced. These findings can help design subgrade and embankments constructed by artificially cemented GRS and assess their safe operation upon climate change.

CONSTRUCTION SITE INFORMATION MODELLING APPLIED TO INFRABIM

Construction industry lags in digitalization due to various factors, not least the complexity of implementing the BIM method in all production stages of the supply chain. This research focuses on CoSIM (Construction Site Information Modelling) design applied to the construction of new infrastructure and particularly addresses the issue of the Level-of-Information-Need structure based on the "model use" approach introduced by ISO 19650-1:2018 and the resulting IDS (Information Delivery Specification). To acquire useful information for the research aim, many site visits were conducted for over a year at a highway construction site in Italy to retrace the design process backward and highlight the available ergo-technical information assets and their shortcomings. As a result of the on-site monitoring, a database structure of ergo-technical information was graphically displayed through tabs. Specifically, the IDS made it possible to operationalize the structure theorized in the database through the Level-of-Information-Need in a machine-user dialogue. The IDS system was then interpreted as a combination of the IFC format, favoring the design process in an openBIM environment. This allowed the definition of specific infrastructure ergo-technics PropertySets and their related properties. The correct acquisition of ergo-technical information related to the project procedure is extremely useful regarding time, costs, and workers' Health & Safety planning. Therefore, the study aims to serve as a starting point for defining the contents of complex documents such as the EIR (Exchange Information Requirements) and/or the BEP (BIM Execution Plan) related to the activities of an infrastructure construction site, developed for the so-called "infraBIM" world.

CONSTRUCTION SITE INFORMATION MODELLING APPLIED TO INFRABIM

Construction industry lags in digitalization due to various factors, not least the complexity of implementing the BIM method in all production stages of the supply chain. This research focuses on CoSIM (Construction Site Information Modelling) design applied to the construction of new infrastructure and particularly addresses the issue of the Level-of-Information-Need structure based on the "model use" approach introduced by ISO 19650-1:2018 and the resulting IDS (Information Delivery Specification). To acquire useful information for the research aim, many site visits were conducted for over a year at a highway construction site in Italy to retrace the design process backward and highlight the available ergo-technical information assets and their shortcomings. As a result of the on-site monitoring, a database structure of ergo-technical information was graphically displayed through tabs. Specifically, the IDS made it possible to operationalize the structure theorized in the database through the Level-of-Information-Need in a machine-user dialogue. The IDS system was then interpreted as a combination of the IFC format, favoring the design process in an openBIM environment. This allowed the definition of specific infrastructure ergo-technics PropertySets and their related properties. The correct acquisition of ergo-technical information related to the project procedure is extremely useful regarding time, costs, and workers' Health & Safety planning. Therefore, the study aims to serve as a starting point for defining the contents of complex documents such as the EIR (Exchange Information Requirements) and/or the BEP (BIM Execution Plan) related to the activities of an infrastructure construction site, developed for the so-called "infraBIM" world.

An appraisal of statistical and probabilistic models in highway pavements

Accurate performance prediction is crucial for safe and efficient travel on highway pavements. Within pavement engineering, statistical models play a pivotal role in understanding pavement behavior and durability. This comprehensive study critically evaluates a spectrum of statistical models utilized in pavement engineering, encompassing mechanistic-empirical, Weibull distribution, Markov chain, regression, Bayesian networks, Monte Carlo simulation, artificial neural networks, support vector machines, random forest, decision tree, fuzzy logic, time series analysis, stochastic differential equations, copula, hidden semi-Markov, generalized linear, survival analysis, response surface methodology and extreme value theory models. The assessment meticulously examines equations, parameters, data prerequisites, advantages, limitations, and applicability of each model. Detailed discussions delve into the significance of equations and parameters, evaluating model performance in predicting pavement distress, performance assessment, design optimization, and life-cycle cost analysis. Key findings emphasize the critical aspects of accurate input parameters, calibration, validation, data availability, and model complexity. Strengths, limitations, and applicability across various pavement types, materials, and climate conditions are meticulously highlighted for each model. Recommendations are outlined to enhance the effectiveness of statistical models in pavement engineering. These suggestions encompass further research and development, standardized data collection, calibration and validation protocols, model integration, decision-making frameworks, collaborative efforts, and ongoing model evaluation. Implementing these recommendations is anticipated to enhance prediction accuracy and enable informed decision-making throughout highway pavement design, construction, maintenance, and management. This study is anticipated to serve as a valuable resource, providing guidance and insights for researchers, practitioners, and stakeholders engaged in asphalt engineering, facilitating the effective utilization of statistical models in real-world pavement projects.

Advancing the understanding of successful technology implementation factors within state DOTs: a maturity model perspective

In an effort to improve the security, dependability, and quality of infrastructure systems, the implementation of complex transportation construction and maintenance projects is essential. Building upon a previous study that identified six crucial factors for effectively implementing new and emerging technologies in the State Department of Transportations (DOTs), this research aims to comprehensively explore six critical factors using a maturity model perspective. DOTs have shown increasing interest in adopting emerging and wireless technologies, as evident in various Federal Highway Administration Every Day Counts initiative. This study employs a mixed-methods approach, using survey responses from DOT personnel to evaluate the relative significance of technology implementation factors and subfactors. The six factors for successful technology implementation explored in this study are Organization Structure, Information Technology Infrastructure, Data Security, Information Workflow, Personnel Training, and Stakeholder Engagement. The study also evaluates the relative importance of People, Process, and Technology for each of these six factors. The paper focuses on providing detailed insights into the different criteria of each technology implementation factor and subfactor to guide agencies in successful technology deployment. Understanding these factors is critical to deploying emerging technologies successfully, which, in turn, leads to much-needed efficiency and productivity in highway construction and asset management. The findings of this study can help DOTs prioritize their technology investments and ultimately contribute to the development of a more advanced and sustainable transportation infrastructure system.

A Systematic Review of Multi-Objective Evolutionary Algorithms Optimization Frameworks

The study of evolutionary algorithms (EAs) has witnessed an impressive increase during the last decades. The need to explore this area is determined by the growing request for design and the optimization of more and more engineering problems in society, such as highway construction processes, food and agri-technologies processes, resource allocation problems, logistics and transportation systems, microarchitectures, suspension systems optimal design, etc. All of these matters refer to specific highly computational problems with a huge design space, hence the obvious need for evolutionary algorithms and frameworks, or platforms that allow for the implementing and testing of such algorithms and methods. This paper aims to comparatively analyze the existing software platforms and state-of-the-art multi-objective optimization algorithms and make a review of what features exist and what features might be included next as further developments in such tools, from a researcher’s perspective. Additionally, it is essential for a framework to be easily extendable with new types of problems and optimization algorithms, metrics and quality indicators, genetic operators or specific solution representations and results analysis and comparison features. After presenting the most relevant existing features in these types of platforms, we suggest some future steps and the developments we have been working on.

Slake durability indices of shales from the Batu Arang Beds, Selangor Darul Ehsan

The Eocene to Oligocene Batu Arang Beds outcrop within an approximately triangular basin covering some 15 km2 and comprise stiff, structureless clays to well laminated and fissile shales inter-bedded with fine to coarse sandstones and several coal layers. The shales are often silty and even sandy and contain abundant carbonaceous material. The coal mostly occurs as thin laminae, though two thick seams, mined by open-cast and under-ground methods from 1915 to 1960, are found in the eastern part of the basin. To determine the weatherability characteristics of the shales, three samples (A, B and C) were collected at the western wall, and one sample (D) at the eastern wall, of an open-cast shale pit. Samples A and D are located some 10 m, and 5 m, below the ground surface, whilst samples B and C are 10 m, and 16 m, stratigraphically below sample A. Samples A, B and C, and D have average dry unit weights of 16.64, 14.49, and 15.40, kN/m3 and average apparent porosities of 26.2%, 35.7% and 31.7%, respectively. Slake durability indices of all samples for one standard cycle of wetting and drying (Id1) are between 98.3% and 99.3%, and for two standard cycles (Id2), between 96.7% and 98.9%. Durability indices for three standard cycles (Id3) are between 95.1% and 98.2%, and for four standard cycles (Id4), between 93.3% and 97.6%. The indices lead to the conclusion that the shales are of high to extremely high durability and suitable for use as highway embankment or construction material. The high durability classification is supported by recent excavations at an overburden dump where relatively fresh shale blocks with little disaggregation or disintegration are exposed even after being buried for 78 to 85 years.

Experimental Study on Mechanical Properties of Highway Subgrade in Cold Regions under Different Conditions

In order to study the changes in the mechanical properties of road subgrade in cold areas after the freezing and thawing of highways in cold areas, indoor mechanical tests were carried out to investigate the effects of the number of freeze–thaw cycles, freezing temperature, water content, and circumferential pressure on the mechanical properties of road subgrade soil in cold areas after thawing. The mechanical properties of road subgrade soil in cold areas after thawing were measured under different conditions. The test results show that, within the study range: (1) After 7 freeze–thaw cycles, the destructive stress of the subgrade soil decreased from 321.7 kPa to 289.9 kPa, a decrease of 9.9%, and the elastic modulus decayed by 19.9%. (2) When the freezing temperature was reduced from −5 °C to −15 °C, the destructive stress of the subgrade soil decreased from 303.9 kPa to 290.1 kPa, a decrease of 13.8 kPa, approximately 4.5%, and the decrease in modulus of elasticity was about 1.6%. (3) The water content increased from 6% to 12%, and the destructive stress decreased from 405.43 kPa to 288.4 kPa, a decrease of 29.1%, and the modulus of elasticity decreased approximately linearly, with an attenuation of 50.4%. (4) The peripheral pressure increased from 50 kPa to 150 kPa, and the destructive stress increased from 194.7 kPa to 367.7 kPa, a growth of 88.8%, and its modulus of elasticity increased with the increase in peripheral pressure, an increase of 154.1%. The results of this research can provide a reference for highway and engineering construction in the western silt–soil distribution area.

Influence of Expressway Construction Area Information on Drivers’ Route Choice Behaviours

Influence of Expressway Construction Area Information on Drivers’ Route Choice Behaviours

Experimental Performance of Filling Material with Modified Red Mud for Roadbed

Cement-modified red mud as roadbed filler was investigated through tests, including compaction, California Bearing Ratio (CBR), modulus of resilience (E0), unconfined compressive strength (UCS), and scanning electron microscopy. Optimum moisture content (ω0), maximum dry density(), CBR, modulus of resilience, UCS, and microscopic characteristics of red mud were analyzed in different modified states. An optimal cement admixture for red mud modification was proposed. Results showed that (1) adding cement significantly improved CBR and modulus of resilience, (2) cement-modified red mud exhibited faster initial strength formation, with 7-day UCS over 65% of 28-day UCS, (3) water stability and frost resistance improved significantly with 4% and 6% cement dosing, (4) recommended cement admixture was 1.1% without adverse conditions, but not less than 6% with water immersion. Modified red mud is unsuitable for seasonal frozen regions. The recommended blending and leaching concentration met regulatory requirements, meeting technical, environmental, and economic goals for roadbed filler in highway construction.