Status

Sequential Number

Identification Number

Matching Research Agency

Missouri Department of Transportation

Principal Investigator

Student Involvement

One graduate students will work under the supervision of Dr. Louis Ge (PI) and one graduate students at University of Missouri-Columbia will work under the supervision of Dr. Brent Rosenblad (Co-PI).

Project Objective

The objectives of the proposed research are twofold.  1) To identify waste products, including coal fly ash and lime kiln dust, in soil stabilization to reduce the cost while enhancing road construction. 2) To develop innovative non-destructive testing technologies to evaluate the physical and engineering properties of the stabilized subgrade, subbase and base materials and provide a guideline of use of fly ash and other waste products in Missouri.

Project Abstract

Beneficial use of coal fly ash has an overall economic and environmental benefit.  Fossil fuel power plans produce large quantity of coal fly ash each year.  These fly ashes mostly disposed of in landfills and ponds.  Nationwide, only approximately 40% of coal fly ashes are beneficially used.  The use of fly ash in road subgrade applications can provide better properties and performance, and is superior to it being otherwise disposed and becoming a possible environmental liability. Meanwhile, MoDOT is also looking for non-destructive testing methods to evaluate the effectiveness of these materials in strengthening the road subgrade which can enhances inspection of other areas of roadwork.

In the proposed research, we will firstly identify waste products, including coal fly ash and lime kiln dust, in soil stabilization to reduce the cost while enhancing road construction. Secondly, we will develop innovative non-destructive testing technologies to evaluate the physical and engineering properties of the stabilized subgrade, subbase and base materials and provide a guideline of use of fly ash and other waste products in Missouri.

Anticipated Benefits

Use fly ash and other waste products in road construction in Missouri; Establish a guideline for using fly ash and other waste product; Establish and apply non-destructive testing in evaluating pavement quality

Milestones

Project Deliverables

1.       A guideline of use of fly ash and other waste product in Missouri

2.      A recommendation of testing requirements and the best tests to use

3.      A summary of current state-of-the-art information along with a list of references found and used for this research

4.      Laboratory and in-service field section testing results on various waste product-modified materials

5.      Precision and bias assessment for non-destructive testing equipments used to measure performance parameters of waste product-modified materials

6.      Recommendations for best methods and practice of selecting waste products for the modification or roadway materials

7.      Recommendations for using non-destructive testing equipment for performance acceptance of waste-product modified materials.

Technology Transfer Activities

A guideline of use of fly ash and other waste product will be established for MoDOT along with recommendations for non-destructive testing equipment for performance acceptance.  A workshop will be held to train MoDOT engineers on using of the developed technology.  Papers will be submitted to Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting to disseminate our research results.

Transportation Research Board Keywords

Non-Destructive Testing; Fly Ash; Soil Stabilization