REQUEST FOR PROPOSAL (RFP) #14-05
Effect of Early-Age Concrete Elastic Properties on Fatigue Damage in PCC Pavements Containing Fibers
POSTED DATE: 4/14/14; CLOSING DATE: 5/30/14
BACKGROUND
There are numerous studies on concrete fatigue damage. There are fewer to be found assessing the impact from early opening and none in conjunction with the use of structural fiber technology.
http://www.lib.utexas.edu/etd/d/2005/suhd34377/suhd34377.pdf - This research looks at loading on typical subgrade situations. It does not appear to address the issue from the perspective of concrete overlay, bonded or un-bonded, which are built on a high strength platform.
http://docs.lib.purdue.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1689&context=jtrp - Fatigue tests in conjunction with maturity testing on three-days old samples reveal that the pavement can withstand more than 100,000 cycles of load as long as the stress in the pavement does not exceed 35% of the ultimate modulus of rupture (MOR) as determined using an equivalent 6x9x21-in. beam.
http://wisdotresearch.wi.gov/wp-content/uploads/01-04earlyopen-f.pdf - A look at dowel interaction in early age concrete. This study was "inconclusive."
http://www.ucprc.ucdavis.edu/PDF/Investigation%20of%20Design.pdf. Early opening using high early strengths were investigated, but is this actually necessary?
It appears after a cursory review that some of the studies assume a higher modulus of elasticity in the concrete than is probably occurring at an early age.
OBJECTIVE
Current specifications (e.g., Articles 701.17(c)(5) and 701.17(e)(3)) for early opening of new concrete pavements and patches view the stress in the slab from the viewpoint of the stress relative to some later age strength(7, 28, or 90 days); however, at early ages the concrete is a more elastic material with a modulus that is very low compared to that at later ages, behaving more like “silly putty” than rigid concrete. The implication is that stresses may be considerably lower in “green” concrete than generally assumed, and that thusly, it may be possible to open concrete pavements and patches earlier.
This research may result in decreased construction time and time for opening to traffic, resulting in potential cost savings through use of shorter periods of traffic control, as well as potential for enhancing highway user satisfaction and decreasing user complaints, plus other cost savings.
For example, using recent traffic and user delay estimates, a major project such as the Dan Ryan Expressway, ten minutes of savings on a single day is enough to pay for the research in addition to creating a safer project by reducing user and worker exposure.
The outcome of this project is expected to be new, research-supported guidelines that will allow for the roadway to be opened to traffic at the appropriate time.
RESEARCH TASKS AND REQUIRED DELIVERABLES
Aim of proposed study to be conducted is to determine whether IDOT-specified opening strengths for concrete pavements/patches are excessive. That is, can live traffic be permitted on newly poured concrete pavements/patches earlier than what is currently allowed by IDOT specifications?
Experimental evaluations will be conducted concerning the evolution of early age elastic properties of concrete especially as they relate to and affect pavement system behavioral mechanics in the short and long term.
Analytical studies that mimic and enhance the experimental studies will be conducted with finite elements.
Potential foci of the experimental and analytical studies include investigation of the possible detrimental effects of residual strains/stress induced by loading early age concrete as well as an evaluation of the possible effects on long term-fatigue life (estimated design life of the pavement). Maturity meters will be used to correlate lab results to field performance. But we must first know that early-age fatigue damage to the pavement is little or none. Advancements in the use of structural fiber technology could also favorably impact the outcome and be part of the research.
Please note that the federal funding used by IDOT and ICT for our contract research program requires that IDOT share technology developed through our contract research program. Any software developed under this study will become the property of ICT, which must grant IDOT and the federal government free use of the software, and must share the software with other states.
INSTRUCTIONS FOR SUBMITTING A PROPOSAL
The proposal shall be prepared in accordance with the guidelines presented in Appendix A. The contact name/email and due date are presented on the first page. All potential Principal Investigators (PIs) should read and understand the responsibilities of ICT Principal Investigators, which are presented in Appendix B.
Technical questions regarding the research project or questions regarding the RFP procedures should be submitted to Dave King, ICT, via email at . Technical questions received by ICT and answers will be posted on the ICT website as they are received.
SPECIAL CONDITIONS FOR REVIEWING PROPOSALS AND AWARDING ICT FUNDS
Please note that the following two conditions will be applied in reviewing all proposals received and in awarding ICT funds:
1) In reviewing and evaluating the proposals received from this solicitation, preference will be given to Illinois universities (both public and private) over others.
2) The award of this project is contingent upon the availability of funds at the time of award.
APPENDIX A:
GUIDELINES FOR PREPARING PROPOSALS FOR THE
ILLINOIS CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION (ICT)
Please use the following format for submitting ICT proposals for consideration. Please limit your total proposal to 15 pages in length (not including the Cover/Summary Page or optional Appendices) and use a font size no smaller than 10. We suggest Arial font with 1.5 spacing between lines.
1. Cover/Summary Page
Use the cover page included in Appendix C.
2. Research Plan
The research plan should describe in a specific and straightforward manner the proposed approach for solving the problem described in the problem statement. The research plan should be subdivided into the following sections:
(a) Introduction, including Research Idea Statement
Provide an introduction to the proposal and a concise overview of the research approach. Outline the objectives of the research project and explain the questions that will be answered by the research.
(b) Research Approach/Work Plan
Include the details of how the investigator will carry out the project and accomplish the project objectives. Itemize the tasks to be completed, explaining each in sufficient detail so the reviewers understand what will be done for each task and what will be produced or completed with each task.
(c) Anticipated Research Results
Specifically state the anticipated research results and deliverables.
(d) Applicability of Results to IDOT Practice
Describe how the anticipated research results can be used to improve IDOT practices.
3. Qualifications and Accomplishments of the Research Team
Identify who will perform the research and provide a brief explanation of each researcher’s qualifications to perform the research. Please provide examples of similar research that the proposed individuals have performed.
4. Other Commitments of the Research Team
Briefly outline the other commitments of the proposed principal and co-principal investigators to demonstrate that both will be able to fulfill the commitments of the proposal.
5. Equipment and Facilities
Describe the facilities and equipment available to undertake the research proposal.
6. Time Requirements
Describe the time that will be required to complete the research proposal, including final report preparation, ICT’s editing, review of the report by the Technical Review Panel (TRP), and final review/publishing of the report. Include a timeline for each task. Please plan on submitting the draft final report to ICT for initial editing at least three months before the end date for the project.
7. Itemized Budget
Provide an itemized budget for the entire project, including the cost of personnel, consultants, subcontracts, equipment, materials, travel, overhead/indirect costs and cost share (match). Please itemize equipment and travel requests, especially any requested out-of-state travel or planned attendance at conferences. The project budget must clearly show the portion of the total cost that is requested from IDOT/ICT and the 25% matching funds/cost share required from the proposing agency. The indirect cost rate used for the ICT funding cannot exceed 20% of the total direct costs. If you anticipate having a sub-award for extra support from outside your agency, please be aware that the sub-award cannot exceed 50% of the total project budget without prior approval.
8. Cooperative Features (if appropriate)
If assistance or cooperation is required from other agencies, public or private, to complete this proposed research, describe the plans for securing this assistance.
9. Appendices (if appropriate)
You may include such things as statements regarding previous work on the problem or related problems, abstracts of related projects, a bibliography or list of references, or materials describing the submitting organization.
APPENDIX B:
RESPONSIBILITIES OF ILLINOIS CENTER FOR TRANSPORTATION (ICT) PRINCIPAL INVESTIGATORS
1. Prepare and submit a project proposal/work plan and multi-year line-item budget, consistent with the “ICT Research Idea”/problem statement or RFP (if applicable) for the newly-approved research project.
2. Meet with the Technical Review Panel (TRP) and revise the project proposal/ work plan and multi-year budget, as agreed with the TRP.
3. Assist the TRP chair in preparing an Implementation Planning Worksheet and work throughout the project to identify the expected benefits of the research, e.g., construction savings, operation and maintenance savings, increased lifecycle, safety, etc.
4. Enter the project description, approved work plan (tasks), PI personal information, etc., on the ICT website. Update project information quarterly.
5. Carry out the project as agreed with the TRP, or notify the TRP if any problem develops regarding the project.
6. Provide online quarterly progress reports to the TRP chair for review and approval.
7. Attend regular (typically quarterly or semi-annually) meetings of the TRP to provide project updates and answer TRP members’ questions about the project.
8. Complete brief semi-annual Administrative Performance Evaluations of the TRP. (You may download this form from the ICT website – http://ict.illinois.edu/.)
9. Provide the TRP a synopsis of the project’s implementation potential as well as implementation strategies. In conjunction with the TRP, developImplementation activities/ tools such as draft specifications, policy guidelines, software, andtraining on new test/ practice/ equipment/ software and develop an implementation cost estimate, if applicable.
10. Near the completion of the research project, draft a final research report in accordance with the ICT report format. (The timeline for the work plan must allow adequate time to prepare the report, typically three months.)
11. At least three months before the end date for the project, submit the draft final report to ICT for preliminary editing (prior to submission to the TRP).
12. After ICT returns the edited draft final report, submit the report to the TRP chair for review and work with the TRP chair to finalize the content of the report.
13. Re-submit the “final” report to ICT for final editing and publication. ICT will post the final edited report to the ICT website and will arrange to publish the final report.
14. Prior to finalizing and posting the final research report on the ICT website, any publication or release of interim reports, results, etc., must be submitted to IDOT for review and comment at least 21 days prior to the planned release or presentation. After 21 days, publication or public disclosure of non-confidential and non-patentable results in professional refereed or peer-reviewed journals or papers to be presented at professional meetings may proceed without interference. The publication or release of non-scholarly work products, any information that is deemed confidential by IDOT, or information which includes patentable results may not be published/ released without IDOT’s approval.
15. When the scheduled time for presenting project information previously reviewed by IDOT does not permit formal review of a complete publication or presentation, notify IDOT of the scheduled presentation on the study and provide an abstract, presentation title, or agenda for the presentation. Such presentations shall include a statement that the paper/presentation has not been reviewed by IDOT.
16. Include the IDOT/ICT acknowledgement statement and disclaimer statement (available on the ICT website) in all publications and presentations regarding research sponsored partially or fully by ICT.
17. Comply with the terms of the current ICT Intergovernmental Agreement with IDOT approved June 2011. This agreement can be found on this ICT website, “ICT Forms and Guidelines” page at http://ict.illinois.edu/guidelines.aspx, in the “Operational Guidelines” section.
18. Comply with the current ICT Operational Guidelines. The current guidelines can be found on this ICT website, “ICT Forms and Guidelines” page at http://ict.illinois.edu/guidelines.aspx, in the “Operational Guidelines” section.
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APPENDIX C:
PROPOSAL COVER SHEET FOR
SOLICITATION #14-05
Effect of Early-Age Concrete Elastic Properties on Fatigue Damage in PCC Pavements Containing Fibers
DUE MAY 30, 2014
TO
Submitted by:(Include Name and Address of Organization)
Proposed Investigator(s):
Corresponding Investigator Name:
Corresponding Investigator Phone:
Corresponding Investigator
Fax:
Corresponding Investigator Email:
Submission Date: