Material Acceptance & Characterization
The materials selected for the construction of CC8 included:
- P-152M subgrade,
- P-154M subbase,
- P-306MR lean concrete base course,
- P-404MR bituminous bondbreaker layer,
- and P-501MR PCC surface course.
As part of the CC8 construction, material characterization was performed on the different material layers.
Acceptance and characterization tests were performed on subgrade, subbase, base, and surface Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) materials.
A brief description of the acceptance and material characterization tests performed is provided below.
Acceptance Tests
- California Bearing Ratio (CBR) - was performed in accordance with ASTM D4429.
- Sand Cones were performed in accordance with ASTM D1556.
- Nuclear Density Gauge (NDG) - tests were performed in accordance with ASTM D6938.
- Concrete Slump - performed in accordance with ASTM C143.
- Air Content of Concrete - performed in accordance with ASTM C138, ASTM C173, and ASTM C231.
- Density of Concrete - performed in accordance with ASTM C138.
- Temperature of Fresh Concrete - performed in accordance with ASTM C1064.
Material Characterization Tests
- Drive Cylinder - performed at each CBR location and in accordance with ASTM D2937.
- Plate Load Test - performed in accordance with ASTM D1195.
- Vane Shear Test - performed at each CBR location and in accordance with ASTM D2573.
- Lightweight Deflectometer (LWD) - performed in accordance with ASTM E2583.
- Dynamic Cone Penetrometer (DCP) - performed in accordance with ASTM D6951.
- Portable Seismic Properties Analyzer (D-PSPA/PSPA) - performed in accordance with in-house standard to measure the material's seismic modulus.
- Free-Free Resonant Column (FFRC) - performed in accordance with ASTM C215.
- Flexural Strength - performed in accordance with ASTM C78.
- Compressive Strength - performed in accordance with ASTM C39 and ASTM C617.
- Resilient Modulus - performed in accordance with AASHTO T 307.
Pre-Construction Tests
Prior to the construction of CC8, tests were performed on the P-152M subgrade and P-154M subbase material. Pre-construction tests were as follows:
P-152M Subgrade (DuPont Clay): Two sets of Modified Proctor and laboratory CBR tests were conducted on the P-152M subgrade (DuPont Clay). CBR tests were performed on the proctor sample by turning the sample in the mold up-side down.
P-154M Subbase Material: Two sets of Modified Proctor and Gradation analysis were performed on the P-154M subbase material. Gradation tests were conducted to ensure the material met the required specifications of P-154M. The Modified Proctor test provided the necessary moisture and density criteria for obtaining the compaction required for the P-154M material.
To view the Material Characterization tests performed on the P-152M subgrade and P-154M subbase materials click here.
For more information on the Material Acceptance & Characterization for CC8 click on the links in the table below.
Construction Tests
P-152M Subgrade (DuPont Clay)
Acceptance Tests
CBR Tests: Tests were conducted on the top of every subgrade lift at random locations. Three readings were averaged for each location.
Elevation Survey: An elevation survey was performed to determine the grade, thickness and smoothness of each material layer placed. The top of the subgrade layer was graded within tolerance (± 1/2 in.) and then surveyed to obtain the final elevations.
Characterization Tests
Drive Cylinder (Shelby Tube) Tests: Tests for density and moisture content were performed at the same location and time as CBR tests.
Vane Shear Tests: Tests were performed on the surface of the top layer at offsets of ±25 ft., ±15 ft., and ±5 ft. at Stations 3+45, 3+60, 3+75, 4+25, 4+50, 4+75, 5+20, 5+40, 5+80, 5+90, 6+20, and 6+30.
Plate Load Tests: Tests were conducted on the top of the subgrade surface at offsets of ±15 ft. at Stations 3+60, 4+50, 5+40, 5+90, 6+30.
DCP, LWD & D-PSPA Tests: Tests were performed on the top of the subgrade at offsets of ±25 ft., ±15 ft., and ±5 ft. at Stations 3+45, 3+60, 3+75, 4+25, 4+50, 4+75, 5+20, 5+40, 5+80, 5+90, 6+20, and 6+30 for all devices.
Resilient Modulus Tests: Shelby Tubes were taken from the top of the subgrade to perform tests for resilient modulus and unconfined compressive strength. Samples were retrieved at offsets of ± 25 ft. at Stations 4+95 and 5+65.
P-154M Subbase Material
Acceptance Tests
Compaction Tests: 6-inch Sand Cone tests were performed on each lift of material at random locations. At least 6 tests were performed on each Phase.
Elevation Survey: An elevation survey was performed to determine the grade, thickness and smoothness of each material layer placed. The top of the subbase layer was graded within tolerance (± 3/8 in.) and then surveyed to obtain the final elevations.
Characterization Tests
Nuclear Density Gauge Tests: Tests were performed at locations near the sand cone tests as well as at offsets of ±25 ft., ±15 ft., and ±5ft. at Stations 3+45, 3+60, 3+75, 4+25, 4+50, 4+75, 5+20, 5+40, 5+80,
5+90, 6+20, and 6+30.
Plate Load Tests: Plate Load and CBR tests were performed on the top of the subbase layer at offsets of ±15 ft. at Stations 3+60, 4+50, 5+40, 5+90, and 6+30.
DCP, LWD & D-PSPA Tests: Tests were performed on the top of the subbase layer at offsets of ±25 ft., ±15 ft., and ±5 ft. at Stations 3+45, 3+60 and 3+75, 4+25, 4+50, 4+75, 5+20, 5+40, 5+80, 5+90, 6+20, and 6+30.
Triaxial Tests: Tests were performed on samples that were collected from the subbase material to determine the resilient modulus.
P-306MR Lean Concrete Base Course
Acceptance Tests
Slump: Tests were performed for QC and QA (Quality Control and Quality Assurance) for select concrete truck deliveries.
Air Content: Tests were conducted for QC and QA for select trucks.
Unit Weight: Density tests were performed for QC and QA for select trucks.
Temperature: Tests were performed on fresh concrete for QC and QA for select trucks.
Compressive Strength: Tests for acceptance were taken at 7 days.
Elevation Survey: An elevation survey was performed to determine the grade, thickness, and smoothness of each material layer placed. The top of the subgrade layer was graded within tolerance (± 3/8 in.) and then surveyed to obtain the final elevations.
Characterization Tests
Free Free Resonant Column (FFRC) Tests: Tests were performed to measure resonant frequency at 7 days and 28 days after placement. Samples were taken from select delivery trucks before placement.
Compressive Strength Tests: Tests for characterization were conducted at 7 days and 28 days after placement. Specimens were taken from select deliveries before placement.
P-404MR Bituminous Bondbreaker
Acceptance Tests
Nuclear Density Gauge Tests: Tests were conducted on top of mats and joints to determine compaction and air voids.
Sieve Analysis Tests: The P-404MR mix was tested in a sieve analysis for comparison to the mix design.
Elevation Survey: An elevation survey was performed to determine the grade, thickness, and smoothness of each material layer placed. The top of the subgrade layer was graded within tolerance (± 3/8 in.) and then surveyed to obtain the final elevations.
Characterization Tests
No in-house material characterization was performed on the P-404MR bituminous bondbreaker material.
P-501MR Portland Cement Concrete (PCC) Surface Course
NAPTF NextGen Pavement Materials Laboratory Tests
Sieve Analysis: Gradation of the P-501MR material was performed to confirm the aggregates in the concrete mix.
Acceptance Tests
Slump: Tests were performed for QC and QA (Quality Control and Quality Assurance) for most concrete truck deliveries.
Air Content: Tests were performed for QC and QA for most trucks.
Unit Weight: Density tests were performed for QC and QA for most trucks.
Temperature: Tests were performed on fresh concrete for QC and QA for most trucks.
Flexural Strength Tests: Tests for acceptance were done at 7 days with specimens made prior to placement.
Elevation Survey: An elevation survey was performed to determine the grade, thickness, and smoothness of each material layer placed. The top of the subgrade layer was graded within tolerance (± 3/8 in. for non-surface layers and ± ½ in. for surface layers) and then surveyed to obtain the final elevations.
Characterization Tests
Free-Free Resonant Column (FFRC) Tests: Tests were performed to measure resonant frequency at 7 days and 28 days after placement as well as prior to trafficking. Samples were taken from select delivery trucks before placement.
Compressive Strength Tests: Tests for characterization were conducted at 28 days after placement, with few conducted at 7 days of curing. Specimens were taken from most deliveries before placement.
Flexural Strength Tests: Tests for characterization were conducted at 7 days and 28 days after placement as well as prior to trafficking. Specimens were taken from most deliveries before placement.
HWD Tests: Tests were performed at offsets of -30 ft. to -15 ft., -15 ft. to 0 ft., 0 ft. to 15 ft., and 15 ft. to 30 ft. starting at Stations 4+00, 4+15, 4+30, 4+45, 4+60, 4+75, 5+00, 5+15, 5+30, 5+45, 5+70, 5+85, 6+10, and 6+25, extending to 15’ beyond the starting station.
PSPA Tests: Tests were conducted on all slab centers and Eddy current sensor locations on Phase 3 Joint Comparison at 28 days of curing.
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