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                Variability in the Engineering Properties of Open-Graded Aggregate Backfills
FHWA-HRT-23-046.pdf (30.7 MB)
      
  Publication Information
                  Publication Type:Summary Report
                  Publication Number:FHWA-HRT-23-046
              Abstract:Open-graded aggregates (OGAs) are a common civil engineering material used in the construction of roads and bridges. Their unit weight and shear strength are important parameters that transportation agencies must consider during design, yet little is known about the variability of those parameters. To address this gap, the Federal Highway Administration initiated a round-robin study in which six laboratories tested three commonly used OGAs from five different quarries for gradation, density, and shear strength using large-scale direct shear devices.

This report presents and analyzes the results from this interlaboratory study and discusses the sensitivity of the physical and mechanical parameters for OGAs. The results of this study should assist State and local transportation agencies, design consultants, contractors, and researchers in determining appropriate design parameters and understanding their reliability.





Recommended citation: Federal Highway Administration, Variability in the Engineering Properties of Open-Graded Aggregate Backfills: A Large-Scale Direct Shear Round-Robin Study (Washington, DC: 2023) https://doi.org/10.21949/1521990
              Publishing Date:July 2023
              Posting Date:07/20/2023
                              Digital Object Identifier:https://doi.org/10.21949/1521990
              Author(s):Nicks,
    
          Jennifer
              Adams,
    
          Michael
              Culbreth ,
    
          Nicholas 
    
          (ORCID: 0000-0003-0434-230X)
              Gebrenegus,
    
          Thomas 
    
          (ORCID: 0000-0002-5742-6411)
              Publishing Office:Office of Infrastructure Research and Development
                  FHWA Program(s):Research
              Infrastructure
              AMRP Program(s):Structures
              Pavements and Materials
              FHWA Activities:Long-Term Bridge Performance
              Long-Term Pavement Performance
              Subject Area:Research
              Bridges and other structures
              Pavements U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION

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