2012 Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop Draws 180 ... Events... · The Newsletter of the...
Transcript of 2012 Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop Draws 180 ... Events... · The Newsletter of the...
The Newsletter of the Center for Dirt and Gravel Roads at Penn State
Inside This Issue: New Resources 2 - ESM Field Guide - Aggregate 101 Tech Bulletin Program Funding 3 Overview and Update Insert: PA Road Aggregates 101: NEW Technical Bulletin
Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies; Larson
Transportation Institute; Penn State University
215 Transportation Research Building
University Park, PA 16802 toll-free: 1-866-No-To-Mud
(1-866-668-6683)
1 October 2012
Made possible through the support of:
2012 Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop Draws 180 Attendees
The 2012 Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop was held on September 25th and 26th at Treasure Lake in Dubois, PA. The 2012 Workshop saw 180 attendees from Conservation Districts, PA Forestry, Municipalities, DEP, PennDOT, private companies, and several federal agencies. Classroom topics presented include: Geosynthetically Reinforced Soil (GRS) bridges; a summary of common road aggregates; Aquatic Organism Passage at stream crossings; and use of metal stream pipes. The field trips included stops at: the only GRS bridge in PA; an 11-year old Dirt and Gravel Project with heaving hauling impacts; a pipe installation demo site; a mobile rock crusher demonstration; a discussion on box culvert usage and alignment; and topped off with a lunch stop at the Elk County Visitors Center, where the elk even showed up and were bugling. The 2013 workshop will be held next fall in a location TBD. Thank you to everyone who participated!
2012 Workshop Proceedings: all presentations, field trip info, documents, attendee list, and more: www.dirtandgravelroads.org (Look for “2012 Workshop Proceedings” shortcut at top right under “what’s new”.)
Attendee Feedback: What was most useful about the workshop? 1) Field trips in general. 2) GRS-IBS bridge information. 3) General discussions and interactions with each other, Center, Program. 4) “Aggregates 101” presentation (see newsletter insert).
A bus of Workshop attendees walks the pipe installation demo with Dave Creamer.
This bull elk not only showed up for the workshop, but he even obliged for pictures during the lunch stop at the Elk Country Visitor’s Center!
Q
Did the DSA Specification and
Certification Change Recently?
A Only for DNCR. The Program’s (& PennDOT’s) DSA specification and certification have NOT changed. DCNR Bureau of Forestry, however, recently revised their DSA spec and cert to include a maximum Plasticity Index (PI) of 6. This was done in an attempt to establish a quantifiable maximum limit on the amount of clay included in DSA. Forestry has had some recent performance issues with a few DSA jobs that have been attributed to a high clay content. While DSA must have 10-15% fine material (-#200), those fines are to be derived from crushed rock, not the addition of soil, silt, or clay. All DCNR jobs must use the new DSA spec and cert, available online, that includes the PI testing. We will be monitoring the effectiveness of the PI limit in improving DSA quality in Forestry jobs. If all goes well with Forestry, PI may be included in the general DSA spec in the future. Have a question? Submit it to [email protected]
questions from the field
2 October 2012
New Resources Available
ESM Field Guide Now Available! For some time now, you have heard about the “Environmentally Sensitive Road Maintenance Field Guide” that the Center developed in conjunction with the US Forest Service. The guide made its debut in September where it was handed out to attendees at the 2012 Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Workshop. The guide is based This “glove-box” size guide includes over 25 of Center’s
ESM practices.
The ESM Field Guide can be downloaded and printed free of charge at the Forest Service website below. If you wish to order additional hard copies, contact the USFS Technology and Development Center in San Dimas, California at (909) 599-1267 x239. Website: http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/php/eng_search.php Technology & Development Publication number (1177 1802P) Direct link: http://www.fs.fed.us/eng/php/library_card.php?p_num=1177%201802P
PA Road Aggregates 101 The insert in this newsletter is a new Technical Bulletin from the Center. The bulletin “PA Road Aggregates 101” attempts to explain many of the commonly used aggregates related to road work in Pennsylvania. With different specs from AASHTO, PennDOT, and other sources, there seems to be a lot of confusion and misinterpretation out there about aggregate sizes, gradations, and intended uses. This bulletin tries to clarify some of this by summarizing some of the more commonly used aggregates in Pennsylvania. It includes both graded aggregates and rip-rap. This is the same bulletin that was distributed at the 2012 Maintenance Workshop in September. Additional copies can be printed from the Center’s website under “Resources - DSA” (www.dirtandgravelroads.org).
largely on the ESM practices learned and collected throughout 15 years of the Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program. These ESM practices are the same ones taught in the Center’s training and outlined in the Center’s Technical Bulletins. Practices such as French mattresses, shallow crosspipes, “reading the ditch”, underdrains, raising the road elevation, and more are outlined in this guide. The US Forest Service and US Environmental Protection Agency were partners in creating this guide. The US Forest Service plans to distribute them to National Forests and LTAPs around the country. If you have not already received a copy and would like one, please let us know. If you would like “more than a few” additional copies, please contact the USFS directly as our supplies are limited.
The Program’s “Quality Assurance/Quality”
Control” effort:
The QAQC effort visits individual Conservation Districts to assess and recommend improvements to the local Dirt and Gravel Road Program. 2012 Visits: Tioga: October 2013 Visits: 8 visits planned, to be determined. For questions about the QAQC process, contact Karen Books at the State Conservation Commission at [email protected] or 717-787-2103.
If a Conservation District has not received their 2012-13 annual allocation advance yet, don’t worry, “the check is in the mail”. This will be the second year of a three-year phase-in of the new allocation formula. Details of the formula and changes made can be found here on the Center’s website. As in past years, Conservation Districts receiving over $25,000 will have to apply to DEP for a replenishment once advance funds have been spent.
QAQC corner
3 October 2012
FY 2012-13 Conservation
District Allocations
You have been hearing about the potential for a Dirt and Gravel Road Program funding increase in an on-again off-again fashion over the past year. Well, the potential is “on-again”, so we thought we would take an opportunity to explain.
Existing Program Funding Since1997, the Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program has received an annual allocation of $5 Million. The funding for the Program comes out of the PA Gas Tax and Motor Vehicle License Fund. It was enacted in 1997 through the addition of Section 9106 to the PA Motor Vehicle Code.
The Need for Additional Funding The Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program is one of the most efficient Programs in the State, but has unfortunately seen its buying power effectively reduced by 1/3 due to inflation over the past 15 years. The Program has completed over 2,200 road projects since 1997. Unfortunately, there still over 14,000 identified pollution sites yet to be funded statewide. Considering inflation, the Program’s current $5 Million allocation will NEVER be enough to address all these identified sites (let alone re-address old sites).
Keystone Transportation Funding Coalition (KTFC) The KTFC is a diverse group united under one common goal: that a comprehensive solution to the transportation funding problem in Pennsylvania is critical for safety and quality of life of all Pennsylvanians. Such a comprehensive solution must address maintenance and capacity needs for PennDOT’s system, local highways, and public transit agencies. KTFC members range from the highway construction industry, to public transit agencies, to air and seaport organizations, to associations representing local governments, and many more. The total transportation funding shortfall in PA is estimated at over $3 Billion. The Center has been participating in KTFC meetings over the past 18 months on behalf of the Dirt and Gravel Road Maintenance Program. Out goal is to be sure that if or when any comprehensive transportation funding legislation moves, that the Dirt and Gravel Road Program is included. It is our hope that an additional $10 Million could be added to the Program’s existing $5 Million annual allocation.
Where Does it Stand Today? It is important to remember that the Dirt and Gravel Road Program’s potential $10 Million is a very small sliver of a potential $2.5 Billion package. Current thoughts are that the next time the Legislature could address Transportation Funding would be early 2013. If it happens though, it could happen fast, so it is important to keep up the constant effort and be prepared to shift into high gear.
How Can YOU Help? Make sure that your local Legislators know how important the Dirt and Gravel Road Program is in your area. Make them aware of the need for more Program funding. Make the case to them that any comprehensive funding legislation needs to include rural roads. An increase in funding to the Dirt and Gravel Road Program would benefit rural Municipalities, Conservation Districts, the State Forests, rural road users, Pennsylvania’s streams, and the general public.
More Info: www.reconnectpa.org/KFC.html or www.bettersaferroads.com/
Potential Program Funding Increase
Important Considerations
events calendar The two-day ESM training covers many aspects of road maintenance and focuses on practices to reduce maintenance costs and environmental impact from unpaved roads. Certification within 5 years is required to apply for Program funds.
Have questions or want to schedule an ESM training? Contact Kathy Moir at: (1-866-668-6683) [email protected]
environmentally sensitive maintenance
(ESM) training
Wayne: Nov 14-15 2013 training requests currently being accepted. Scheduling being finalized.
4 October 2012
This publication is available in alternative media upon request. The Pennsylvania State University is committed to the policy that all persons shall have equal access to programs, facilities, admission, and employment without regard to personal characteristics not related to ability, performance, or qualification as determined by University policy or by state or federal authorities. The Pennsylvania State University does not discriminate against any person because of age, ancestry, color, disability or handicap, national origin, race, religious creed, sex, sexual orientation, or veteran status. Direct all affirmative action inquiries to the Affirmative Action Office, The Pennsylvania State University, 201 Willard Building, University Park, PA 16802-2801; tel. (814) 863-0471; TDD (814) 865-3175. U.Ed #RES-01-50. Penn State is an affirmative action, equal opportunity University.
Two-Day ESM Training Schedule
Contact the Center to register for a training, or to discuss hosting one (814-865-5355). Registration is also available online at www.dirtandgravelroads.org under “edu/training”. Trainings are set up on request in conjunction with County Conservation Districts.
Other Events
SCC meetings: Nov 14 (Hbg.), Jan 24 (w/ PACD, St College)
Center for Dirt and Gravel Road Studies 215 Transportation Research Building University Park, PA, 16802
First Class U.S. Postage PAID State College, PA Permit #1
Source (Geologic Origin) – Most PA aggregates are mined from
sedimentary rock such as limestone and sandstone. In the glaciated
regions of NW and NE PA, aggregate is often mined glacial till, or pit-
run gravel. In general, limestone is the hardest of the rocks, with
shale being the softest, while pit-run varies widely in its usefulness as
a road aggregate.
Gradation – The distribution by percent
of weight of different sized stones
comprising an aggregate. Determined
by sieve separation and the loss by
washing of material finer than the No.
200 sieve (~0.003 inches).
Aggregate from sedimentary rock in SW PA
Informational
Bulletin PA Road Aggregate 101 10/2012
The publishers of this publication gratefully acknowledge the financial support of the PA State Conservation Commission and PA
Bureau of Forestry. For additional information or assistance, contact: Center for Dirt & Gravel Roads Studies, Penn State
University, 207 Research Unit D, University Park, PA 16802 (Toll-Free Phone: 1-866-668-6683, Fax: 814-863-6787, Email:
[email protected]). Additional copies available on our website at: www.dirtandgravelroads.org.
© 2012 All rights reserved
Aggregate – A mixture of crushed rock or gravel separable by mechanical means. Focus on road applications.
Aggregate specifications have an allowable range of different stone sizes, expressed as a percentage of the total weight of
sample. This gradation specification is reported on a table or chart (see example above). The nominal maximum size of
an aggregate specification is defined as the smallest sieve opening through which 100% of the aggregate can pass.
Open graded aggregates
are “porous” with notable
air voids between individual
stones, and little to no
“fines”. These mixtures
drain effectively, but do not
compact well to form a
dense conglomerate. Road
applications include use as
base material and for
subsurface drainage.
Well graded aggregates are “dense”
with few air voids between individual
stones. These mixtures are not
suitable for drainage, but are
preferred for use as surface
aggregates as they tend to compact
well to maintain desired road shape,
lengthening grading cycles. This is
also a key component in extending
the road life cycle for traffic support.
Aggregate Quality or Type is primarily based on the resistance to weathering
(soundness), the resistance to traffic (abrasion) and the absence of extraneous
undesirable material. For both soundness and abrasion the maximum allowable
amount is expressed as a percentage (by weight) of material changed by specific
tests. For undesirable material the maximum allowable amount is expressed as a
percentage (by weight) of the total weight of the mixture. For these parameters a
maximum allowable percentage is set for each aggregate Type (A,B & C). Lower
numbers represent higher quality.
PennDOT Type A Type B Type C
Soundness, Max % 10 12 20
Abrasion, Max % 40 45 55
Undesirable, Max % 2 2 15
Lower quality aggregates
should be reserved for fill and
sub-base applications only.
PI, or Plasticity Index is a measure of
the plasticity of a soil. Soils with a high
PI tend to be clay. Ideally, surface
aggregates should be non-plastic to
slightly plastic with a PI of 6 or lower.
Open-graded Well-graded
Aggregate sieves
12/2012 NEWSLETTER INSERT pg 1/2
A P
ennD
OT
Mate
rial C
ertific
atio
n is
docum
enta
tion a
ttestin
g th
at a
specific
pro
duct m
eets
the re
quire
ments
for G
radatio
n a
nd P
ropertie
s o
utlin
ed
in P
ennD
OT
Public
atio
n 4
08, S
ectio
n 7
03. T
ests
and d
ocum
enta
tion
must b
e c
om
ple
ted
by a
PennD
OT
certifie
d la
b te
chnic
ian
. For D
SA
used o
n D
irt and
Gra
vel R
oad
Main
tenance P
rogra
m p
roje
cts
, a c
ertific
atio
n m
ust b
e d
eliv
ere
d w
ith th
e firs
t load o
f mate
rial fo
r each d
ay o
f the p
roje
ct.
Rip
-rap
is
a
loose
assem
bla
ge
of
larg
er s
tone th
at is
most o
ften
used
for b
ank a
nd a
butm
ent p
rote
ctio
n a
t
stre
am
in
terfa
ces,
for
arm
orin
g and
velo
city
checks in
ro
ad ditc
hes and
outle
ts,
and fo
r slo
pe pro
tectio
n on
road b
anks. S
pecific
atio
ns th
at b
egin
with
an “R
” desig
natio
n a
re s
et b
y th
e
Natio
nal C
rushed
Sto
ne A
ssocia
tion
.
• Gra
vel –
natu
rally
unconsolid
ate
d ro
ck fra
gm
ents
• Sto
ne
– ro
ck c
rushed to
a s
pecific
siz
e a
nd s
hape
• San
d –
rock p
artic
les s
malle
r than 3
/8” (m
ajo
rity s
malle
r than 3
/16”)
• AA
SH
TO
– A
meric
an A
ssocia
tion o
f Sta
te H
ighw
ay a
nd T
ransporta
tion O
fficia
ls
• NC
SA
– N
atio
nal C
rushed S
tone A
ssocia
tion
Term
s to
kn
ow
:
The A
AS
HT
O n
um
berin
g s
yste
m la
bels
aggre
gate
specific
atio
ns fro
m 1
to 1
0 a
ccord
ing to
the la
rgest s
tone s
ize in
the m
ixtu
re, w
ith 1
bein
g th
e la
rgest (a
ll
mate
rial p
assin
g a
4” s
ieve
openin
g) a
nd 1
0 b
ein
g th
e s
malle
st (a
ll mate
rial p
assin
g a
3/8
” sie
ve o
pen
ing). M
ulti-d
igit s
pecific
atio
ns re
pre
sent a
ble
nd o
f one o
r
more
of th
e te
n b
asic
specific
atio
ns (i.e
. AA
SH
TO
57 is
a b
lend o
f AA
SH
TO
5 a
nd A
AS
HT
O 7
). AA
SH
TO
Specific
atio
ns a
re te
chnic
ally
open g
raded a
ggre
gate
.
Wh
at is
a “
mo
difie
d” a
gg
reg
ate
?
Technic
ally
PennD
OT
no lo
nger h
as
a “m
odifie
d” s
pecific
atio
n. H
ow
ever, th
is te
rm c
ontin
ues to
be u
sed b
y
sto
ne custo
mers
and supplie
rs.
A
n aggre
gate
is
“m
odifie
d”
when
fin
es
(sm
alle
r th
an
0.0
75
mm
(0
.003”)
/No.
200
sie
ve)
are
ble
nded
into
a
sta
ndard
aggre
gate
specific
atio
n to
incre
ase
the fin
e c
onte
nt o
f the m
ix.
“Modify
ing”
can
change
an
open
gra
ded
aggre
gate
to
a
well
gra
ded
aggre
gate
, enhancin
g
its
density
and
usefu
lness
as
a
road
surfa
ce
mate
rial. In
PA
, the m
ost c
om
mon
aggre
gate
to “m
odify
” is P
ennD
OT
2A
.
Co
mm
on
Rip
-Rap
Sp
ec
ifica
tion
s in
PA
Co
mm
on
Co
urs
e A
gg
reg
ate
s fo
r Ro
ad
Ap
plic
atio
ns in
PA
100m
m90m
m63m
m50m
m37.5
mm
25m
m19m
m12.5
mm
9.5
mm
4.7
5m
m2.6
3m
m1.1
8m
m0.1
5m
m0.0
75m
m
AA
SH
TO
PA
4"
3.5
"2.5
"2"
1.5
"1"
3/4
"1/2
"3/8
"#4
#8
#16
#100
#200
#1
#4
balla
st
4"- 3
/4" c
lean
road b
ase, b
urie
d d
rain
s100
90-1
00
25-6
00-1
50-5
#3
3A
2.5
" - 1/2
" cle
an
haul ro
ad s
urfa
ce, c
hoke
100
90-1
00
35-7
00-1
50-5
#57
2B
1.5
" - 3/3
2" c
lean
burie
d d
rain
s100
95-1
00
25-6
00-1
00-5
#8
1B
1/2
" - 3/3
2" c
lean
chip
surfa
cin
g100
85-1
00
10-3
00-1
00-5
#10
grit, s
cre
enin
gs
less th
an 3
/8"
trail s
urfa
ce, a
nti-s
kid100
85-1
00
10-3
0
2A
modifie
d?
2" - fin
ero
ad b
ase, ro
ad s
urfa
ce
100
52-1
00
36-7
024-5
016-3
810-3
00-1
0
2R
Cm
isc., re
cla
imva
ries w
idely
fill, pip
e b
eddin
g, s
urfa
ce
100
15-6
00-3
0
DS
Adrivin
g s
urf. a
gg.
1.5
" - fine
unbound ro
ad S
urfa
ce
100
65-9
530-6
515-3
010-1
5
TS
Atra
il surfa
ce a
gg.
1/2
" - fine
unbound tra
il Surfa
ce
100
90-1
00
50-8
535-6
025-5
012-1
8
TO
TA
L P
ER
CE
NT
PA
SS
ING
AG
GR
EG
AT
E
SP
EC
IFIC
AT
ION
Ge
ne
ral S
ize
De
scrip
tion
Ge
ne
ral U
se
s
Co
mm
on
Nam
e
open gradedwell graded
42"
30"
24"
18"
15"
12"
9"
6"
4"
3"
2"
R-8
15-4
2"
28"
abutm
ents
100
15-5
00-1
5
R-7
12-3
0"
20"
stre
am
banks
100
15-5
00-1
5
R-6
9-2
4"
14"
stre
am
banks
100
15-5
00-1
5
R-5
4-1
8"
11"
stre
am
banks
/ ditc
hes
100
15-5
00-1
5
R-4
3-1
2"
7"
ditc
hes
100
15-5
00-1
5
R-3
2-6
"3.5
"ro
ad s
ubbase
100
15-5
00-1
5
Su
rge
10"-fin
evarie
ssubbase / fill
Gab
ion
4-8
"varie
sbaske
ts / d
itches
Sh
ot R
ock
varie
s24"
abutm
ents
Surg
e, G
abio
n, a
nd S
hot R
ock a
re re
lative
ly loose te
rms w
ith b
roader s
ize ra
nges a
nd n
o e
xact
specific
atio
n.
TO
TA
L P
ER
CE
NT
PA
SS
ING
SP
EC
/
NA
ME
Siz
e
Ran
ge
Av
era
ge
Siz
eG
en
era
l Use
s
12/2012 NEWSLETTER INSERT pg 2/2