Form ProjStat (Rev. 5/2013)

(RTI)

Research Project Statement18-27
FY 2018 Annual Program
Title: / Guidelines for the Treatment of Soil & Base Materials
The Problem: / The strength, stability, and durability of underlying layers of flexible and rigid pavement structures have a significant impact on performance. In-situ subgrade soils often do not provide the support needed to achieve acceptable performance under heavy traffic loading and environmental conditions unless treated (stabilized) with a calcium based additive. However, there are concerns with potential heaving due to chemical reactions between calcium based additives used in high sulfate bearing soils. There is interest and demand for using full-depth reclamation with treatment additives for the rehabilitation of pavements. This is less costly than full-depth reconstruction, takes less time to complete, and has less of an impact to the traveling public. There is interest in using more recycled materials, such as reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) and recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) in flexible base materials that have environmental and economic benefits because they reduce the demand for virgin aggregates thus conserving our resources and contribute to the strength of the material treated. However, there have been concerns about the performance of flexible base materials using higher amounts of recycled materials. The need for the treatment of soils and base materials will be greater in the near future as the traffic demands of Texas roadways increase. Local, quality materials for the construction of roads will be scarce and in increasing demand for the construction and rehabilitation of roadways as more funding becomes available throughout the next 10 years. This coupled with having more experienced and knowledgeable engineers and inspectors retiring and leaving TxDOT requires the need of having current and useful references and guidelines for new and inexperienced personnel. TxDOT's stabilization guidelines for soils and base materials are over 11 years old, and it is in the best interest of TxDOT to update and expand this reference to include information for engineers and inspectors. An alternative is to create a separate document of guidelines for inspection.
TxDOT has been treating soils and base materials for many years and has published test methods and specifications to produce quality materials; however, premature failures such as rutting, fatigue, and block cracking still occur during or shortly after construction. These have been attributed to issues, such as mixture design, pavement design, existing and environmental conditions, inspection, and construction. Extensive knowledge of treatment additives and construction best practices exist, but are not included in TxDOT's stabilization guidelines. It is necessary to know the state of practices statewide, nationwide, and outside of the U.S., and to consult with experienced and knowledgeable people from major associations and industry for their recommendations to develop a useful reference and guidelines for TxDOT personnel and inspectors. Current and useful references and guidelines for the treatment of soils and base materials are imperative for key TxDOT personnel.
Technical
Objectives: /
  1. Review calcium and non-calcium based treatment and stabilization practices statewide, nationwide, internationally, including additive selection, laboratory mixture design processes, inspection and construction guidelines, and specifications.
  2. Revise and update TxDOT's Guidelines for Modification and Stabilization of Soils andBase for Use in Pavement Structures, to include any valuable and useful state of practices.
  3. Develop guidelines for best practices of material design, inspection, and construction, to be included in TxDOT's guidelines document or as a separate document.
  4. Develop training materials such as PowerPoint presentations, checklists, or manuals for use in training workshops and Webinars.

Desired
Deliverables: /
  1. Technical memorandum for each task completed.
  2. Monthly progress reports.
  3. Value of Research (VoR) that includes both qualitative and economic benefits.
  4. Research reportthat includes guidelines for best practices in mixture design, inspection, and construction; flow charts depending upon the soils, aggregates, treatment additives used; and recommendations for revising current test procedures and construction specifications.
  5. Project Summary Report.
  6. Training materials such as PowerPoint check list, or manual for the use in training workshops.

Proposal
Requirements: /
  1. Utilize the deliverable based templates (see the appendices provided or in the University Handbook)
  2. Proposals will be considered non-responsive and will not be accepted for technical evaluation if they are not received by the deadline or do not meet the requirements stated in RTI’s University Handbook.
  3. Proposals should be submitted in PDF format, 1 PDF file per proposal. File name should include project name and university abbreviation.

Pre-Proposal Meeting Information: / Monday, March 27, 2017 10:00AM – 12:00PM
Austin Riverside Campus
118 E. Riverside Dr.
RTI Conference Room, 1st Floor
Webex Information:
1. Go to
2. If requested, enter your name and email address.
3. If a password is required, enter the meeting password: GzDup33h
4. Click "Join".
Teleconference information:
Provide your phone number when you join the meeting to receive a call back. Alternatively, you can call:
Call-in toll-free number: 1-855-437-3563(US)
Conference Code: 734 178 806
Notifying RTI of Intent to Propose: / In order to be notified if additional project information is distributed by TxDOT, you must contact RTI, at (512) 416-4730 or by April 3, 2017, if you plan to propose.
Proposal
Deadline: / Proposals are due to RTI by 4:00 p.m. Central Time, May 11, 2017. Email submissions should be sent to .

Project Statement 18-27