Testing Methods To Determine Long Term Durability Of Wisconsin Aggregate Resources

Testing Methods to Determine Long Term Durability of Wisconsin Aggregate Resources

Investigation of Testing Methods to Determine Long-term Durability of Wisconsin Aggregates

Approximately 10 to 11 million tons of aggregates are utilized in transportation infrastructure projects in Wisconsin annually. The quality of aggregates has a tremendous influence on the performance and durability of roadways and bridges. In this Phase II research study, detailed statistical analyses were performed on over 1,000 sets of historical aggregate test results and the experimental results from the Phase I study. Test results from other states were analyzed as well. Aggregate tests were performed on 12 known marginal or poor Wisconsin aggregates to specifically address test performance of such aggregates. Selected aggregates were scanned using X-ray computed tomography to assess the effects of freeze-thaw and sodium sulfate exposure on the internal void system. The results of multi-parameter logistic regression analyses show that the pass/fail outcomes of the Micro-Deval test can be predicted when LA abrasion, absorption, and sodium sulfate soundness test results are known. The unconfined freeze-thaw test outcomes cannot be predicted from results of other tests (not correlated). Therefore, the unconfined freeze-thaw test should be part of any test protocol as it measures an aggregate characteristic that cannot be obtained from other tests. The percentiles associated with any proposed acceptance threshold limits for various aggregate tests should be determined using the statistical data provided.

Joint Participating Intermodal Surface Transportation Planning & Research Work Program