Request for Proposal
Project 05-06
Use of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavements (RAP) in Airfields HMA Pavements

Proposals Due October 6, 2006

Airfield Asphalt Pavement
Technology Program (AAPTP)

RESEARCH PROBLEM STATEMENT

The successful use of reclaimed asphalt pavements (RAP) materials is well known and has been used throughout the highway pavement industry. The use of RAP on airfield pavement has been somewhat limited. Procedures and test methods have changed significantly over recent years. A review of current state of practice and appropriate application of RAP materials to airport pavements is needed. The project will provide a comprehensive document that identifies the benefits, successful use, and criteria for use on airfields to encourage further consideration and wider use of RAP on airfield pavements.

The specifications and procedures for use of RAP on Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) pavement projects are contained section 401 and 403 of Advisory Circular 150/5370-10B and a similar specification, UFGS-32 12 15, is used for military airfields.

Objective

The objective of this study is to establish updated technical guidance on the use and benefits of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in airfield hot mix asphalt (HMA) materials and to document existing use on airport pavements. This guidance will be developed based upon a literature review as well as documented use and performance of airfield pavements that utilized RAP in HMA. The final product for this effort will include a final report, recommendations for revisions to FAA P401-3.3 and P403-3.3 specifications and presentation material for a 4-hour of training/workshop covering the feasibility, mix design, quality control, construction and performance of airfield pavements using reclaimed asphalt materials.

The project includes both a literature review and a field performance element. The literature review shall consist of gathering information on performance of airfield and highway pavements using RAP. The emphasis of this project shall be directed towards information on HMA airport pavements. Although laboratory testing requirements is to be addressed in the guidance, no direct laboratory testing is envisioned in this project.

Note: The investigator is encouraged not to accomplish the gathering of RAP use and performance information by conducting a massive written survey of all airports. A survey is defined as the random distribution of a standard list of questions that seek trends for forecasting information. The use of such surveys must receive approval through the AAPTP from the Office of Management and Budget (OMB). That process requires a minimum of 90 days from the date of application for the survey approval. The 90-day approval period is not included in the time designated for the performance of this project.

The final report and presentation/training materials shall consider but shall not be limited to the following:

  1. Performance of RAP mixture in airfield and highway pavements
  2. Documentation of processes and procedures to initially assess the feasibility of using RAP on airfield projects in the planning stage (new, rehabilitation and maintenance)
  3. Appropriate applications of RAP within the airport pavement structure with consideration of loads, speeds and tire pressures associated with aircraft
  4. Identification of specific site conditions that promotes and/or prohibits the use of RAP on airfield pavements
  5. Specification of mix designs procedures using RAP materials with special attention paid to volumetric mix calculations and properties, asphalt binder blending procedures (especially using performance grading system) and limitation on grade differences on asphalt binders.
  6. Identify and document the differences of the basic engineering properties and characteristics of the HMA mixtures with and without RAP
  7. Identify standard test methods and procedures that reasonably address the durability issues associated with RAP HMA mixtures
  8. Quality control procedures needed for RAP HMA
  9. Quality and consistency of RAP supply needed for airfield pavements and construction techniques such as multiple RAP stockpiles to achieve the required quality and consistency
  10. Documentation of first cost and other benefits (environmental, energy and others) of using RAP materials on existing projects
  11. Identification of key factors that contribute to cost savings and other potential benefits of using RAP
  12. Life cycle cost comparisons of HMA with and without RAP

Specific conditions for application of these products to airfield pavements should consider the following:

  1. Magnitude and loading rate of aircraft loadings
  2. Number and frequency of aircraft loadings
  3. Application of RAP for different types of airport pavement such as taxiways, runways, aprons and access roads as well as suitability for use in base, intermediate and surface courses
  4. Potential for foreign object damage (FOD)
  5. Ability and limitations of maintenance and corrective actions

Product

The products for this research project shall consistent of: (1) final project report documenting the process and results of the performance reviews and recommendations for RAP usage in airfield pavements; (2) recommendations on RAP usage to FAA in the form of draft technical advisory circular or engineering brief; and (3) training materials to provide a 4-hour workshop/training session on use of RAP on airfield pavements. The products shall be developed by addressing the following tasks:

Task 1 -- Review existing literature to determine engineering properties of RAP HMA and the past use and performance of RAP HMA in airfield pavements.

Task 2 -- Collect and document field performance of RAP mixture and original properties with emphasis on airport and airfield pavement applications. The effort is envisioned to cover 3-5 projects at different locations. As much as possible, the designer, owner and contractor shall be interviewed to assess the difficulties and benefits of using the RAP on each of these projects.

Task 3 -- Identify and provide recommended laboratory tests that assess key properties of the RAP materials and HMA using RAP.

Task 4 -- Evaluate the existing FAA specification on RAP and provide recommendations for changes as needed.

Task 5 -- Develop preliminary report for the technical panel's review and comments. This report shall include status of Tasks 1-4 and present detailed outline and references for the 4- hour course. This report is expected 5 months from the contract start date. If requested by the researcher or the technical panel, a meeting may be held within 30 days of receiving the preliminary report to provide comments and discussion on the preliminary report. Comments will be provided by the technical panel within 30 days of receiving the preliminary report documents.

Task 6 -- Develop fully documented training materials in MS PowerPoint with handouts and consideration of technical panel comments and discussion provided in task 5.

Task 7 -- Develop final draft project report, revised technical advisory recommendations, and final training materials. These are to be submitted to the technical panel for final review and comment by month 11 of the project.

Task 8 -- Provide camera ready copy and electronic files of the final report and training materials in press quality PDF format or MS PowerPoint.

All written documentation will be prepared using Microsoft Word. All reports will be the property of the AAPTP and Auburn University and will be supplied in a format that complies with the FAA's Section 508 requirements for electronic documents.

Reporting Requirements

Progress Reports

Quarterly progress reports (2 hard copies and an electronic copy in Microsoft Word format) are required from the research agency and are to be prepared on the basis of calendar quarters. The research agency will mail the report directly to the AAPTP and will e-mail each of the members of the technical review panel a copy of the progress report. Each report will include a cover letter and the following:

  1. a clear and complete description of the work performed on each task during that quarter;
  2. an outline of the work to be accomplished during the next quarter;
  3. a description of any problem(s) encountered or anticipated that might affect the completion of the project within the time and fiscal constraints recommended;
  4. provide potential solutions to problems identified in (c) if any exist.

Report Format

The formats for the Interim and Final reports are provided under "Research Process."

Contractual Information

Funds Available: $100,000

Contract Time:12 months (includes 1 month for AAPTP to review and for the contractor to revise the final report.)

Staff Responsibility: Monte Symons, 334-844-4964, symonmg@auburn.edu

Proposals Due: October 6, 2006

Submit Proposals To: AAPTP, 277 Technology Parkway, Auburn, AL, 36830

Authorization to Begin Work: November 1, 2006 -- estimated

Maintained by Linda Kerr