NRRA

March 19, 2024

Distress Rodeo at MnROAD Results presented by Jacob Calvert, MnROAD engineer

February 20, 2024

MnROAD Data and How to Make it Work for You presented by Ben Worel, MnROAD Operations Engineer and MnROAD Staff

Recording is unavailable for this session.

Jan. 23, 2024

Canceled due to TRB Annual Meeting

Dec. 20, 2022

Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCC with Surface Texture) Project Report presented by Kamal H. Khayat of Missouri University of Science and Technology

Nov. 15, 2022

Comparative Analysis Of Heavy Truck IRI-Induced Excess Fuel Consumption of Various Network Pavement Interventions presented by Bernard Izevbekhai, P.E., Ph.D. of Minnesota DOT

This initiative investigated a rational process of incorporating the HDM-4 IRI-induced fuel consumption model for heavy duty trucks into the LCCA process using the Sigmoidal IRI degradation curves from the MnDOT Pavement Management. Pavement selection in Minnesota Department of Transportation (MnDOT) is currently based on project size, traffic volume and ultimately the comparative Net Present Cost in the life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) of the sequence of interventions within a 50-year analysis period for each alternative. Hitherto there was no consideration of the actual pattern of the performance curves although the expected service life was based on a Ride Quality Index (RQI) of 2.5 being terminal. The research first updated the sigmoidal model constants for the major interventions in the network. It subsequently applied HDM-4 Model excess fuel consumption model for IRI induced heavy truck to the IRI versus time sigmoidal curve to obtain excess fuel versus time. Net present value (NPV) of excess fuel consumption rate was normalized by dividing by the characteristic service life. Using the institutional sequence (cascade) of interventions over a 50-year period for the various fixes, three total consumption indices of Heavy-Duty Truck-IRI degradation were obtained. Each of the three indices was divided by the corresponding index obtained for current dowelled concrete construction. The three resulting ratios are recommended as IRI-induced Excess Consumption Fuel Factors that could be applied as multipliers to the LCCA of the pavement selection process.

Oct. 18, 2022

Novel Methods for Adding Rejuvenators in Asphalt Mixtures with High Recycled Binder Ratios Project Report presented by Fan Yin, Ph.D., P.E. and Raquel Moraes, Ph.D. of National Center for Asphalt Technology (NCAT)

This webinar will feature a recently completed NRRA Flexible Team research project. The project sought to explore three novel rejuvenator application methods using the emulsion and foaming technologies and determine their impacts on the workability and cracking resistance of high-reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) asphalt mixtures. To that end, a comprehensive experimental plan was developed, which consisted of four supplementary experiments focusing on rejuvenator characterization, foaming measurements of rejuvenators and rejuvenated asphalt binders, RAP pretreatment and marination evaluations, and mixture performance testing, respectively. Test results indicated that adding rejuvenators for RAP pretreatment significantly improved the overall quality characteristics of RAP, with the emulsion method being more effective than the spray-on and foaming methods. Marinating the pretreated RAP had a notable impact on the rheological and chemical properties of the extracted RAP binders, but it did not significantly affect the overall quality characteristics of RAP. Adding rejuvenators, in general, improved the workability and cracking resistance of high-RAP mixtures, but the degree of improvement varied depending on the rejuvenator type and dosage, RAP quality, and other mix design variables. Among the different rejuvenator application methods, pre-blending the rejuvenator into the virgin binder provided slightly better or equivalent rejuvenating effectiveness and thus, mixture performance properties, than adding the rejuvenator for RAP pretreatment. Based on these findings, it was recommended that asphalt contractors continue to use the pre-blending method of adding rejuvenators for the design and production of high-RAP mixtures due to performance and ease of operation considerations.

Sept. 20, 2022

Longitudinal Cracking Investigation on I-72 Experimental Unbonded Concrete Overlay presented by Jeff Roesler, Ph.D. of University of Illinois Urbana-Champaign

A research study investigated longitudinal cracking developing along an experimental unbonded concrete overlay (UBOL) on I-72 in rural Illinois. Detailed distress surveys and coring were conducted to assess the extent of the longitudinal cracking and faulting along the longitudinal lane-shoulder joint. Coring over the transverse contraction joints in the driving lane showed stripping and erosion of the dense-graded hot-mix asphalt (HMA) interlayer was the primary mechanism initiating the longitudinal cracks. Cores from the lane-shoulder joint confirmed stripping and erosion was also occurring there and leading to the elevation difference between the driving lane and shoulder. Field sections by surrounding state departments of transportation (DOTs), such as Iowa, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, and Pennsylvania, with similar UBOL design features to the I-72 section were examined. Evidence from other DOTs suggested that HMA interlayers, whether dense graded or drainable, could experience stripping, erosion, and instability under certain conditions. An existing performance test for interlayers, i.e., Hamburg wheel-tracking device, and current models reviewed were not able to predict the distresses on I-72 eastbound. The integration of the separation layer and a pathway for subsurface drainage are key components to good performing unbonded concrete overlay.

Aug. 16, 2022

Highway Project Delivery and As-builts Are Leveraging Digital Practices & Data presented by Dave Unkefer, P.E. of FHWA

This presentation will highlight important research, Every Day Counts and other digital project delivery initiatives by FHWA that are aimed to better leverage digital practices and data for greater productivity. We live in a time when digital practices and data are a foundation for much of what we do - from smart phones to the cloud to the internet - and we need to bring that power into how we do our business. Our next generation workforce will expect it. FHWA and our stakeholders have selected these strategic initiatives to fill gaps that should help the U.S. highway industry better advance the power of digital practices and related productivity improvement opportunities. The presentation will provide an overview of these initiatives, including benefits seen by agencies in the U.S. and worldwide. We will also highlight the national and international state of practice and what we have learned from agencies regarding enhancing implementation and technology deployment. We will share FHWA resources available to support your implementation efforts, including grants and EDC-6 technical assistance opportunities.

July 19, 2022

ICT as a Service and for Compliance – How ICT Research has led to the Removal of Technicians from Construction Sites in the UK presented by Ruairi Charlesworth of Highway Data Systems

Highway Data Systems are a certified materials testing house who operate their own ICT hardware and software as an integrated service for asphalt contractors in the UK and Ireland. Highway Data Systems research has been used by national and local overseeing organizations to update technical specifications for asphalt testing and is the driving force behind using ICT for compliance as well as quality assurance in road construction.

This talk will discuss HDS technology, how ICT can be delivered as a service and explain how ICT is being used for asphalt testing compliance in the UK and Ireland.

April 19, 2022

Spray on Rejuvenator Test Sections, Preventive Maintenance Team Project Update
See the project page

Feb. 15, 2022

Development of Concrete Mix Designs/Matrix of Materials, Performance Properties, and Construction Field Sampling and Testing Expectations During Construction by Larry Sutter, Ph.D., P.E., Michigan Tech and Sutter Engineering
See project page

Jan. 18, 2022

Understanding and Improving Pavement Milling Operations by Eshan Dave, ICT Team Project Update
Unfortunately, the recording of this webinar is not available.

Dec. 21, 2021

Improve Material Inputs into Mechanistic Design Properties for Reclaimed HMA Roadways by Bora Cetin, Ph.D., Geotechnical Team Project Update

Nov. 16, 2021

Developing Best Practices for Rehabilitation of Concrete with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Overlays Related to Density and Reflective Cracking by Eshan Dave, Ph.D. and Katie Haslett, Ph.D., Flexible Team Project Update

Oct. 19, 2021

No webinar due to other event conflicts

Sept. 21, 2021

Performance Benefits of Fiber-Reinforced Thin Concrete Pavement and Overlays by Manik Barman, Ph.D., Rigid Team Project Update

Aug. 17, 2021

Research and Evaluation of Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) presented by Todd Thomas, P.E., Asphalt Materials, Inc. and Jerry Geib, P.E., MnDOT

This presentation will discuss the research that was completed by Illinois DOT and Minnesota DOT on Void Reducing Asphalt Membrane (VRAM) to solve premature failure at the longitudinal joints. The findings from the research led to the implementation of their VRAM special provision.

July 20, 2021

Evaluation of Long-Term Impacts of Early Opening of Concrete Pavements by Lev Khazanovich, Ph.D. of University of Pittsburgh

The presentation will introduce a new mechanistic-based model for evaluation of concrete strength requirements for early opening of rigid pavements to traffic. See the project page.

June 15, 2021

Pavement Sustainability by Heather Dylla, Ph.D., FHWA

With renewed focus on climate change mitigation, economic strength, equity, and safety, incorporating principles of sustainability into our engineering and design of pavements is critical. This presentation will highlight some of the upcoming challenges engineers will face and identify what tools and resources are available.

Download Heather's slides (PDF)

May 18, 2021

Seismic Approach to Quality Management of HMA Project Update presented by Choon Park, Ph.D., Park Seismic, LLC, Nils Ryden, Norrfee Tech, Sweden, and Jason Richter, PG, MnDOT

A project overview and update will be provided describing development of a new device capable of measuring seismic properties of HMA in non-contact, rolling fashion for quality management purposes.

April 20, 2021

Determining Pavement Design Criteria for Recycled Aggregate Base and Large Stone Subbase Project Update presented by Bora Cetin, Ph.D., Michigan State University and Raul Velasquez, Ph.D., P.E., Minnesota Department of Transportation
This project's webpage

In this RPO, a summary of a comprehensive laboratory and field study of recycled aggregate bases (including RCA and RAP) is presented. Field study included over 2 years of monitored performance of several MnROAD test sections.

March 16, 2021

FRC Jointless Roundabouts in Minnesota Project Update presented by Peter Taylor, Ph.D., P.E., Iowa State (PI) and Maria Masten, P.E., MnDOT (TL)

In 2018, MnDOT constructed a jointless fiber-reinforced concrete roundabout. Maria Masten, Technical Liaison, MnDOT Concrete Engineer, will discuss an overview of the project including goals, construction details, whether MnDOT would do this again and what MnDOT might change. Dr. Peter Taylor, Principal Investigator, National CP Tech Center, Iowa State University, will discuss the Year 1 and Year 2 performance reports.

Feb. 16, 2021

“Comprehensive Pavement Evaluation: Going beyond the surface to make the right decisions” presented by Ken Maser, Infrasense and Dave Hein, consultant

They highlight how knowledge of the subsurface conditions can enhance decision making in a number of scenarios. Some applications covered include rehabilitation design, support for in-place recycling efforts, impact of overweight vehicles, failure investigations, and others.

Dec. 15, 2020

"Evaluation of Performance of MnDOT Unbonded Overlay Using Reliability Analysis" presented by Bernard I. Izevbekhai, P.E., Ph.D., MnDOT

Unbonded overlay (UBOL) is defined as consisting of a concrete pavement layer built over a stress-relief layer on an existing concrete pavement substrate. The plethora of UBOL section performance data in the Minnesota network was studied using Reliability (Weibull) Analysis, Stepwise Linear Regression, and the Kullback-Leibler Divergence. Reliability Analysis accentuated the typical failure mode, characteristic service life and preventive maintenance advantages. Stepwise Linear Regression isolated the statistically significant predictive indicators of service life while the Kullback Liebler divergence facilitated the comparison of performance curves. This research elucidated and validated unbonded overlay as a long-term fix.

Nov. 17, 2020

“MnROAD’s Contribution Toward Improvements in Concrete Pavement Technology” by Tom Burnham, Senior Road Research Engineer, Minnesota DOT

Since 1994, the MnROAD facility has been unique in its broad focus on research related to all types of pavement. This has been particularly true for advancements in concrete pavement technology. In this presentation, the unique and significant MnROAD research findings that have improved concrete pavement technology not only in Minnesota, but throughout the U.S. and other parts of the world, are highlighted.

Oct. 20, 2020

"Introduction to Online Systems for Test Section Tracking at MnROAD" by Ben Worel and Steve Henrichs, MnDOT

Sept. 15, 2020

2020 Pavement Workshop Invited Speaker | "The Federal Highway Administration’s Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center and Pavement Research" by Cheryl Richter, Ph.D., P.E. of FHWA

Aug. 18, 2020

"Use of Road Doctor for Evaluation of Pavements Affected by Severe Crack-heaving (tenting)" by Eyoab Zegeye Teshal, Ph.D., P.E. of MnDOT

Pavement crack-heaving, also referred to as tenting, is a distress condition that primarily affects bituminous roads constructed in cold climates. This type of distress can stretch over long segments of roadways, and drastically impact the comfort and safety of drivers. Due to the complexities of the phenomenon and lack of established rapid testing tools, tenting issues are not yet well-understood and well-addressed. To help address the lack of adequate and rapid measuring tools for tenting, MnDOT experimented with its integrated and multi-sensor survey van (Road Doctor) and conducted extensive testing on District 1 highway roads suspected of tenting. The survey van was equipped with multiple linked and synchronized devices, including high-definition video and thermal cameras, LIDAR laser scanner, high-resolution accelerometer, and ground-penetrating radar (GPR) antennas. The data revealed important surface and subsurface pavement tenting characteristics and led to the development of test parameters that captured reasonably well the intensity and frequency of the tented cracks. This presentation will discuss the findings and the lesson learned.

July 21, 2020

2020 Pavement Workshop Invited Speaker | Development of a Sustainable Procurement Roadmap using Life Cycle Assessment based Environmental Product Declarations by Amlan Mukherjee, Ph.D., P.E., associate professor, Michigan Technological University

June 16, 2020

Developing Best Practices for Rehabilitation of Concrete with Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Overlays Related to Density and Reflective Cracking by Eshan Dave, Ph.D. and Katie Haslett of University of New Hampshire
See the project page.

April 21, 2020

Performance Benefits of Fiber-Reinforced Thin Concrete Pavement and Overlays by Manik Barman, University of Minnesota - Duluth
See the project page.

March 17, 2020

Effective Concrete Partial Depth Joint Repairs in Challenging Conditions review by Heidi Olson of Braun Intertec
See the project page.

Feb. 18, 2020

Evaluation of Long-Term Impacts of Early Opening of Concrete Pavements by Lev Khazanovich of University of Pittsburgh
See the project page.

Jan. 21, 2020

Mix Rejuvenator Projects: Asphalt Spray-on Mix Rejuvenator Synthesis by Andrea Blanchette & Sheue Torng Lee of WSB; Asphalt Mix Rejuvenator Test Sections Construction Summary by Michael Vrtis of MnDOT

Dec. 17, 2019

Ultrasonic Tomography for Concrete Pavement Investigations by Tom Burnham, MnDOT

Nov. 19, 2019

Determining Pavement Design Criteria for Recycled Aggregate Base and Large Stone Subbase presented by Bora Cetin, Ph.D. for Iowa State University
See the project page.

Oct. 15, 2019

Reduced Cementitious Material in Optimized Concrete Mixtures with Dr. Hamed Sadati of Iowa State University
See the project page.

July 16, 2019

Dustex with Steve Dickman and Lloyd Sundstol presented on a new product for base stabilization. Our presenters requested we also make the following packet of information about Dustex available.

• Case Study Vegvesen (PDF)
• 2017 Environmental Statement (PDF)
• Lindas Municipality Article (PDF)
• PowerPoint Deck (PDF)
• 2018 Sustainablity Report (PDF)
• Follow Up Report (PDF)

June 18, 2019

Petrographic Laboratory Investigations of the Oldest Concrete Pavement in America presented by Gerard Moulzolf from American Engineering Testing

April 16, 2019

A Study of Diamond Grinding Performance in Texas with Feng Hong from the Texas Department of Transportation

March 19, 2019

Determining Pavement Design Criteria for Large Stone Subbase Materials with Bora Cetin, Assistant Professor in the Geotechnical and Geoenvironmental Engineering Area in the Department of Civil, Construction and Environmental Engineering at Iowa State University

Feb. 19, 2019

Guide for Concrete Pavement Distress Assessments and Solutions by Dale S. Harrington, P.E., founding Director of the Portland Cement Concrete Pavement Technology Center at Iowa State University.

Dec. 18, 2018

Mechanistic design of permeable pavements based on accelerated pavement testing with David R. Smith and Dave Jones, UC Davis Pavement Research Center.

Nov. 20, 2018

The long-term research conducted by NRRA teams: Rigid, Flexible, Geotech, and Pavement Maintenance, was constructed in the summer and fall of 2017. Now these test cells are a year old and our principal investigators for each project talk about what we have learned so far.

Morning Session  |  Afternoon Session

Oct. 16, 2018

Development of Energy-, Cost-, and Environment-Based Life-Cycle Tool for In-Place Recycling Methods with Professors Hasan Ozer and Imad Al-Qadi, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

Sept. 18, 2018

UAV and Close Range Photogrammetry (CRP) Studies for Transportation Infrastructure Surveys and Condition Assessment with Anand J. Puppala and Surya S. C. Congress, University of Texas Arlington

July 17, 2018

Tire Derived Aggregates with Monte Niemi, First State Tire

June 19, 2018

Panel Discussion of Rejuvenators with Amy Epps Martin, Texas A and M, Zachry Dept. of Civil Engineering and Matt Mueller, formerly with the Illinois DOT

April 17, 2018

Chip Seal Program in Oregon with Ashley Buss, Iowa State University.

March 20, 2018

Recycled Concrete Aggregates in New Concrete Pavements with Farhad Reza, Professor Department of Mechanical & Civil Engineering, Minnesota State University Mankato

Feb. 20, 2018

MnDOT’s Use of the Paver Mounted Thermal Profile (PMTP) Method and Veta Software to Find Workmanship Issues in HMA Paving with Rebecca Embacher, Advanced Materials and Technology Engineer, MnDOT Office of Materials and Road Research

Jan. 16, 2018

Pavement Preservation Panel Discussion with Jerry Geib, Buzz Powell, and John Roberts

Dec. 19, 2017

Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP) in Pavement Preservation Applications with Don Matthews, TSD Manager Chief Engineer for Pavement Recycling Systems, Inc. in Jurupa Valley, CA.

Nov. 21, 2017

Biomaterials and Biopolymers with Chris Williams, Gerald & Audrey Olson Professor of Civil Engineering and Director of the Asphalt Materials & Pavements Program, Iowa State University.

Oct. 17, 2017

Validated Intelligent Compaction (VIC) Testing at MnROAD and Engineering Data Analysis with David J. White, Ph.D., P.E. President and Chief Engineer, Ingios Geotechnics, Inc

Sept. 19, 2017

The Effects of Bio-Sealants or Rejuvenators on Asphalt Binder and Mixture Properties with Debaroti Ghosh, Research Engineer for MnDOT

July 18, 2017

Balanced Mix Design with David Newcomb from the Materials and Pavement Division of Texas A&M Transportation Institute, Cracking Test Videos (PowerPoint)

May 16, 2017

Factors Affecting Asphalt Mix Durability

• Factors Affecting Asphalt Mixture Durability (WHRP 14-06) (PowerPoint), Barry Paye
• Critical Factors Affecting Asphalt Concrete Durability (PowerPoint), Ramon Bonaquist

April 18, 2017

NRRA Long Range Research Plans (PowerPoint)

March 21, 2017

Determination of Structural Value of Geogrid Reinforcement in Pavement Layers with John Siekmeier, P.E., M.ASCE

Feb. 21, 2017

Barriers to Implementation of In-Place Recycling

• Terry's presentation (PowerPoint)
• Dan's presentation (PowerPoint)
• Dan's presentation (PowerPoint)

December 2016

Automated Machine Guidance for Muck Excavation on CSAH 61/101 (PDF) with Jim Schneider, MnDOT

November 2016

Forensic Investigation of Recycled Unbound Base and Asphalt Surface Materials (PDF) with Hyung Jun Ahn, MnDOT

October 2016

Full-Coverage Nondestructive Asphalt Pavement Compaction Assessments using Ground Penetrating Radar Array-measured Dielectrics (PDF) with Kyle Hoegh, MnDOT

September 2016

Prescription to Performance Initiative in Concrete (MnDOT's Journey) (PDF) with Maria Masten, P.E., MnDOT Concrete Engineer

August 2016

Subsurface Condition Evaluation for Asphalt Pavement Preservation Treatments with Hyung Jun Ahn, MnDOT

July 2016

MnROAD Concrete Preservation (PDF) with Tom Burnham, MnDOT

• LRRB Report (PDF)

June 2016

Feasibility of Concrete Pavement Joint Condition Evaluation (A 2016 UMN-MnDOT Capstone Project) (PDF) with Bernard Izevbekhai, MnDOT; Nathan Bausman, Kelsey Peterson and Brett Yanta, University of Minnesota,

May 2016

NCAT / MnROAD Project Update with Jerry Geib and Dave Van Deusen, MnDOT

• Presentation - 2016 MnROAD Construction (PDF)
• Presentation - NCAT and MnROAD Pavement Test Tracks (PDF)

April 2016

Development of Whitetopping Performance Curves (PDF) with Tom Burnham, MnDOT

March 2016

Surface Textures and Their Effect on Vehicle Tracking (PDF) with Bernard Izevbekhai, MnDOT

February 2016

Current Required Strength of Concrete Roadways Before Opening to Traffic with Lev Khazanovich, University of Minnesota

January 2016

Wide Based Tire, a Minnesota Pooled Fund Update (PDF) with Shongtao Dai and Tim Anderson, MnDOT

Dec. 15, 2015

HMA Longitudinal Joint Construction Evaluation (PDF) with Ed Johnson and John Garrity, MnDOT

Nov. 17, 2015

Rehabilitation of Interstate 394 in 2015: Next Generation Concrete Surface (PDF) with Bernard Izevbekhai, P.E., Ph.D, Concrete Research Engineer and Chris Kufner, P.E. Metro District Pavement/Materials Engineer of MnDOT

Oct. 20, 2015

Thermal Cracking and the Use of DCT Performance Testing (PDF) with Chelsea Hanson and John Garrity, MnDOT

Sept. 15, 2015

Invention of the Aggregate Avoidance Method For Evaluating Interfacial Bond in Pavement Materials (PDF) with Bernard Izevbekhai, MnDOT

Aug. 18, 2015

Results from the Minnesota Whitetopping Field Review throughout the State (PDF) with Tom Burnham, MnDOT

July 21, 2015

Chip Seals - Use and Benefit to Minnesota (PDF) with Thomas Wood, MnDOT

June 16, 2015

Seminar Kick Off (PDF) with Ben Worel, MnDOT