Spotlight on Equipment
Equipment Innovations Save Time, Money on the Grade
ACPA Webinars Focus on Essential, Timely Topics
International Conference to Focus on Future Concrete Pavements
Products & Services Spotlight
Federal Highway Administration Offers Grants for Innovative Products
Transportation News

Equipment Innovations Save Time, Money on the Grade

At the request of Washington State DOT (WSDOT), the Federal Highway Administration’s Mobile Concrete Laboratory (MCL) (see related article, "Technology Transfer on the Road") recently demonstrated some of these innovations on a concrete pavement reconstruction project at Interstate 5 in Bellingham, Wash.

The agency is considering the implementation of these devices because they produce accurate results in a more efficient manner, said Jagan Gudimettla, P.E., MCL Project Engineer.

These included:

• MIT SCAN-2: a non-destructive device testing device for measuring the position and alignment of dowel bars embedded in concrete. It uses magnetic tomography technology to determine dowel bar placement instead of requiring coring.

• MIT-SCAN-T2: a non-destructive testing device for measuring pavement thickness. It uses pulse induction technology,reducing the traditional use of coring, to verify a concrete pavement’s thickness.

”The MIT-SCAN-T2 device was also very easy to use,” said Chris J. Johnson, P.E., WSDOT’s Northwest Regional Materials Engineer. “Based on the cores we took after using the device in Bellingham, the accuracy is within the +/- 2mm range that was advertised … It is definitely better than cutting holes in brand new pavement.”

• HIPERPAV (High PERformance Concrete PAVing) software: a user-friendly, Windows based software program designed to assess the influence of pavement design, concrete mix design, construction methods, and environmental conditions on the early-age behavior of Portland cement concrete pavements.

• Coefficient Thermal Expansion (CTE) testing: to predict the concrete pavement's contraction and expansion capabilities.

CTE is an important parameter in concrete pavement analysis because magnitude of temperature related pavement distresses is directly proportional to this value during early ages as well as during the entire life of pavement.

”We had the MCL begin running several cores and cylinders from across our state to begin building a database of CTE’s from several aggregate sources,” Johnson said.

"We will use this information as one of the inputs as we begin using the MEPDG for our new projects."

From the sustainability of concrete pavements to a wide range of product and processes, ACPA's popular web-based training are focused on some of the most essential and timely topics facing contractors, agencies, and consultants today.

ACPA webinars allow participants to receive 90 minutes of interactive training, as well as the potential to earn professional development hours (PDH's), all with the added convenience of taking the training virtually anywhere. The cost per participant is $25.

Following each webinar, participants receive a weblink that allows access to a downloadable version of the presentation, review questions, and an online exam. Certificates are typically sent out within a few weeks after the examination is completed and graded.

To register for upcoming ACPA webinars, contact Debbie Becker at 847-966-2272. For more information on webinar content or ACPA's Education & Training program, contact Mike Ayers at 217-621-3438.

New technologies for building long-lasting concrete pavements for the future will be the focus of the 9th International Conference on Concrete Pavements.

ACPA, a Platinum-Level sponsor for the event, urges members to participate. The conference, to be conducted by the International Society for Concrete Pavements, which is scheduled for August 17 to 21 in San Francisco, Calif.

Program presentations and discussions will focus on new developments in implementable products and techniques that will result in long-lasting new and rehabilitated concrete pavements, according to the conference website.

This section was made possible through the generous sponsorship of GOMACO.

The following listings include descriptive information about products offered by ACPA member companies. This information is presented as a free service to ACPA member companies. Click here to find out how your company can participate in future issues.

SPEED SCREED Truss Screeds—Metal Forms Corporation

The 5700 Series by Power Curbers, Inc., Salisbury, N.C.,  includes a 6-ft. Delaware slipform application for one-pass paving.

Each machine also comes standard with crown and gutters.
The 5700 Series machinery is capable of slipforming highway dividers and safety barriers, curb-and-gutter, sidewalk, stadium risers, and additional concrete applications.

SF-3000 Concrete Slipform Paver—Power Pavers, Inc.
The SF-3000 by Power Pavers, Inc., Cedar Falls, Iowa, is a two-track high production concrete slipform paver.

Each machine comes standard with:

The Model S Portable Batch Plant by RexCon LLC, Milwaukee, includes modular-designed sections that are pin-connected for fast installation on the grade.

The batch plants also offer:
• high volume production;
• consistent mixing;
• flexible batch controls; and
• an optional water-heating system for meeting strict temperature requirements.

Bid-Well 4800 Bridge Paver—Terex Roadbuilding

The Bid-Well 4800 automatic roller bridge paver accommodates the ever-expanding specifications for paving widths.

Features include:
• the exclusive  Rota-Vibe® which delivers up to 5,000 vpm over the vibrating rollers’ length to reconsolidate the top 2 inches of concrete;
• a newly redesigned truss system;
• ultra high-strength steel frame for better mobility; and

The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) is looking for innovative companies whose equipment or materials help accelerate construction or reduce traffic congestion.

Through its Highways for L.I.F.E.. program, the agency is offering grants ranging from $200,000 to $500,000 to allow recipients to further develop prototypes and then test and evaluate their performance for up to two years.

To be considered, the product must improve project and/or work zone safety (including worker or user safety); reduce construction congestion; accelerate construction, or improve quality. Applicable areas include equipment and materials, as well as tools, procedures, specifications, methodologies, processes, or practices used in the financing, design or construction of highways or bridges, according to FHWA.

FHWA is expected to announce the solicitation for grant applications on July 24. This is the second series of grants of this kind to be awarded. As a past FHWA Highway for LIFE team-member, Dr. Charles H. Goodspeed (Associate Professor of Civil Engineering at University of New Hampshire) has agreed to answer any questions you may have about the program. Contact Dr. Goodspeed by email at chgi@christa.unh.edu, or by phone at 603-862-1443 after July 18.

Report Covers Deicers' Impact on Airfield Pavements ... A new Transportation Research Board report covers the impact of airport pavement deicing products on a number of airfield infrastructure and aircraft, including concrete and asphalt pavements. Click here to download a copy of the report, compiled by TRB's Airport Cooperative Research Program.