Browsing by Subject "Performance tests"

Now showing 1 - 2 of 2
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    Laboratory Performance Test for Asphalt Concrete
    (Center for Transportation Studies University of Minnesota, 2015-06) Dave, Eshan
    The asphalt mixture design and acceptance procedures for Minnesota Department of Transportation are currently governed primarily by the mixture composition requirements put forth through use of various volumetric measures (such as, air content, asphalt film thickness, aggregate gradation etc.). The asphalt binder has been required to meet performance criteria through the Superpave asphalt binder specifications. This study looked at use of laboratory performance test for asphalt mixtures. The study was conducted in three phases, first phase focused on merging the asphalt mix design records with the pavement performance data to determine effects of mix design parameters on asphalt pavement cracking performance. Second and third phase used a series of field sections across Minnesota to conduct field performance evaluations as well as laboratory tests on field cored samples. The testing for second and third phase of the study focused on using disk-shaped compact tension (DCT) fracture energy test as a laboratory performance test. The findings form he first phase of study indicated that the asphalt binder type as defined by the Superpave performance grade (PG) plays an important role in affecting the field cracking performance, majority of mixture design parameters did not indicate a consistent effect on field cracking performance, this reinforces the need for use of laboratory performance test as a mixture design tool as well as acceptance parameter. The DCT testing results showed trends consistent with previous and other on-going research studies, whereby the asphalt mixtures with higher fracture energies corresponded with pavements with lower amount of transverse cracking.
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    Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Resource Guide
    (Minnesota Department of Transportation, 2024-06) Erickson, Andrew J.; Gulliver, John S.; Weiss, Peter T.
    Stormwater treatment practices, often referred to as stormwater best management practices (BMPs), require a substantial commitment to maintenance, including regular inspections and assessments. Existing regulations require governmental units to develop a systematic approach for ongoing inspection and maintenance to ensure that they are achieving their desired treatment goals. A lack of maintenance will lead to a decrease in BMP performance and will often result in expensive rehabilitation or rebuild. In 2009, SRF Consulting produced a maintenance guide for the Local Road Research Board (LRRB) (Marti, et al. 2009). In 2023, the LRRB commissioned the University of Minnesota St. Anthony Falls Laboratory to update this guide to reflect new best practices. The Stormwater BMP Inspection and Maintenance Resource Guide (the Guide) is a supplement to the Minnesota Stormwater Manual (MPCA 2023) and will help the reader plan for recommended long-term maintenance activities through guidance on visual inspection, testing, and monitoring methods for identifying what maintenance is needed, and when it is needed. The Guide describes inspection and maintenance for constructed stormwater ponds (both dry and wet) and wetlands, underground sedimentation practices, infiltration practices, filtration practices, bioretention practices, permeable pavements, and stormwater harvesting. In addition, the Guide includes a section on Meeting Stormwater Management Objectives, which provides information on achieving reductions for sediment, phosphorus, nitrogen, metals, chloride, pathogens, and organic chemicals. The Guide also includes Field Inspections Resources, which contains inspection checklists and maintenance activity recommendations for all of the practices listed above.