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Project Reports

For additional information on the below research projects, please select the following link to contact the appropriate State Materials Office staff: APT/Experimental Project Contacts.

Accelerated Pavement Testing

Completed Projects (Accelerated Pavement Testing)

• Accelerated Pavement Testing Validation of a HMA Gradation-Based Evaluation Method -- PDF-1.53MB -- The FDOT validated the aggregate-based evaluation method using a controlled APT program. This paper presents a description of the aggregate-based evaluation method and the experimental APT program and findings.
• Assessing Appropriate Loading Configuration in Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-628KB -- This study was conducted primarily to assess the different possible loading combinations for accelerated pavement testing using a Heavy Vehicle Simulator [Presentation, PDF-4.37MB]
• Effect of Asphalt Rubber Membrane Interlayer (ARMI) on Instability Rutting and Reflection Cracking of Asphalt Mixture -- The primary objectives of this study were to assess the contribution of an ARMI to instability rutting and to determine the effectiveness of an ARMI to mitigate reflective cracking.
• Evaluation of Coarse and Fine Graded Superpave Mixtures under Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-266KB -- This report assess the rutting performance of coarse and fine-graded Superpave mixtures under Accelerated Pavement Testing.
• Evaluation of Early Strength Requirement of Concrete for Slab Replacement Using Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-3.86MB -- In this study, five 9-inch thick concrete replacement slabs were constructed at the APT facility at the FDOT Materials Research Park in Gainesville, Florida. The five test slabs were tested by a Heavy Vehicle Simulator.
• Evaluation of Pavement Strain Gauge Repeatability Under Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-1.47MB -- This report evaluates the repeatability of pavement strain gauges currently used in its Accelerated Pavement Testing facility.
• Evaluation of Superpave Mixtures With and Without Polymer Modification By Means of Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-1.30MB -- This study evaluates the long-term performance of Superpave mixtures and modified Superpave mixtures using the Accelerated Pavement Testing facility.
• Impact of Wide-Base Single Tires on Pavement Damage -- PDF-1.61MB -- This report investigates the pavement damage potential of four tire types including a conventional dual tire, a Super Single, and two newly-designed wide-base single tires. [Presentation, PDF-2.08MB]
• Laser-Based Technology for Automated Rut Measurement in Accelerated Pavement Testing -- PDF-608KB -- This paper describes the efforts of developing a laser based profiling system for measuring and characterizing test pavement surface deformations, as part of Florida’s APT program. [Presentation, PDF-2.26MB]
• TRB: Comparison of a Three-Dimensional  Visco-Elastic Pavement Model with Full-Scale Field Tests -- The primary objective of this study is to validate the applicability of a three-dimensional, visco-elastic finite element model by comparing with strains measured from a full-scale field test.
• TRB: Evaluation of Feasibility of Using Composite Pavements in Florida by Means of Heavy Vehicle Simulator Testing -- The main objectives of this research are (1) to develop analytical models for analysis of the behavior of whitetopping (WT) pavements, (2) to evaluate the potential performance of the WT pavement test sections for use under Florida conditions, and (3) to assess the applicability of WT techniques for rehabilitation of asphalt pavements in Florida. [Presentation, PDF-2.79MB]
• TRB: Rut Initiation Mechanisms in Asphalt Mixtures as Generated Under Accelerated Pavement Testing -- This paper presents a description of the testing program, the data collection effort, and the subsequent analyses and findings, focusing primarily on the initiation mechanisms of rutting in asphalt mixtures as generated and observed under accelerated pavement testing. [Presentation, PDF-886KB]

Experimental Project Reports

Active Projects in North Florida

• ADA Detectable Warning Surface Durability Study -- PDF-318KB, FDOT State Materials Office, Gainesville, Florida -- The objective of this study is to determine the durability of various materials, including adhesives that are used for retrofit detectable warning surfaces as described by the Americans Disabilities Act (ADA) Accessible Guidelines.
• Asphalt Rubber Membrane Interlayer (ARMI) -- PDF-245KB, Baker County, State Road 2, Section/Subsection 27020-3509 -- The objective of this study is to evaluate the relative long-term field performance of Asphalt Rubber Membrane Interlayers (ARMI).
• Crack Relief -- Gadsden County, State Road 10/US-90, Section/Subsection 50010-0000 -- The objective of this project is to evaluate the relative effectiveness of alternative design methods to prevent or delay relative cracking in asphalt pavements.
• EZ Base Material -- PDF-248KB, Duval County, State Road 116, Section/Subsection 72193-000 -- The objective of this five year study is to compare the performance of by-product base material EZ Base, from Jacksonville Electric Authority (JEA) to the traditional limerock base used in Florida’s roadways.
• Geosynthetic Material Study -- PDF-1.18MB, Alachua County, State Road 331, Section/Subsection 26050 -- The objective of this study is to compare the relative long-term field performance of asphalt base (Type B-12.5) and Limerock underlain with RoaDrain (Synthetic Subsurface Drainage Layer) under high water table condition. [Presentation, PDF-2.08MB]
• Limerock versus Graded Aggregate As a Base Material -- PDF-141KB, Bay County, State Road 30A, Section/Subsection 46160-3512/3513 -- The objective of this study is to evaluate the relative long-term field performance of a pavement structure using Graded Aggregate as a Base Material and comparing it to that of a standard limerock base.
• Micro-Surfacing Experimental Project
  PDF-1.49MB, Leon County, US-319/SR-369 -- In the latter part of 2008, the Florida Department of Transportation, herein referred to as the Department, initiated the process of planning and constructing an experimental project utilizing micro-surfacing. This report will document the planning, construction, and post-construction testing of the test project.

Active Projects in Central Florida

• FDOT and NTPEP Pavement Marking Materials Test Deck -- PDF-237KB, I-4 Westbound, east of Exit 25 (County Line Road) -- The objective of this study is to evaluate the performance of pavement marking materials. These materials are used to mark longitudinal lines, transverse lines, messages, and symbols in travel lanes. The types of products installed include tapes, thermoplastics, paints, and two-component materials.
• Crushed Concrete and Limerock Base Materials -- PDF-834KB, Manatee County, State Road 43, Section/Subsection 13020-000 -- The objective of this experimental project is to evaluate the relative long-term field performance of reclaimed concrete aggregate used as a base compared to the performance of a standard limerock base.

Active Projects in South Florida

• Econocrete Study -- PDF-144KB, Charlotte County, State Road 45/US-41, Section/Subsection 01010-3531 -- The purpose of this project was to study the feasibility of construction and to evaluate the structural and performance characteristics of a composite concrete pavement system consisting of a relatively thin concrete wearing course over econocrete base layer.
• Geosynthetic Reinforcement Evaluation -- PDF-227KB, Palm Beach County, State Road 15, Section/Subsection 93130-3508 -- This project was constructed in 1999 to evaluate the performance of Geogrid and Geotextile materials as Base/Subgrade reinforcement layers and separation barriers (embankment reinforcement).
• Highlands County Performance Data for the Open-Graded Friction Course Test Sections on US-27 -- Highlands County, US 27 -- The objective of this study it to evaluate the performance of the FDOT's standard open-graded friction course (FC-5), which uses a conventional tack coat prior to mixture placement, to the performance of the same open-graded mixture placed on a thick polymer modified membrane.
• Limerock, Shell Rock and Coquina As a Base Material -- PDF-98KB, St. Lucie County, State Road 70, Section/Subsection 94030-3506 -- The objective of this study is to evaluate the relative long-term field performance of Shell Rock as a base candidate, and using Limerock and Cemented Coquina as the control or standard sections.
• Surface Pavement Solution for Poor Subgrade Conditions -- PDF-103KB, Palm Beach County, State Road 15, Section/Subsection 93140-000 -- The study proposes a field test program encompassing two test sites to evaluate the insitu performance of four different commercially available reinforcing materials in rehabilitating flexible pavements underlain by relatively soft organic soils and peat.

Completed Projects in North Florida

• Evaluation of Graded Aggregate As A Base Material [Pavement Evaluation Study Number 92-2] -- PDF-14.67MB, Walton County, State Road 83 (331), Section/Subsection 60040-3536/60040-3527
• Ground Tire Rubber in Open Graded Friction Course -- PDF-424KB, Bradford/St. Johns Counties, State Road 16/9 (I-95), Section/Subsection 28030-3508/78080-3423
• Light Fractions in Asphalt -- PDF-268KB, Clay County, State Road 16, Section/Subsection 71050-3512
• Completed Projects in South Florida
• Geosynthetic Reinforcement Evaluation -- PDF-277KB, Palm Beach County, State Road 80, Section/Subsection 93110-3543