Highway Engineering Laboratory

• Location

The Highway Engg. Laboratory is located in a building with an area of 4000 sq. ft.

at Nalanchira, less than 3 kms from Sasthra Bhavan, the headquarters of NATPAC. It has

adequate space for testing of materials, disposal of wastes and parking of vehicles.

• Equipments Installed at the Laboratory

The details of the equipments already procured and installed at the Lab premises

are discussed in the following sections.

Path leading to Lab

General Arrangement of Lab

View of Lab Building

• Soil and aggregate sieves with Motorised Sieve Shaker

The Mechanical Sieve Shaker consists of sieve holder plate for mounting 7 nos. of

15 cm or 20 cm dia sieves, lid and receiver. A gear motor is fitted with an inclined

moveable table in a cabinet. A sieve holder plate fitted on the table, two vertical rods

fixed on the sieve holder plate and an adjustable top retaining plate are provided for

clamping the sieves in position securely. The operating gear mechanism is driven by an

electric geared motor mounted in cabinet of the machine A digital timer and ON-OFF

switch mounted are on its cabinet. Electric motor operates on 230 volts, single phase, 50

cycles, AC supply. This is used for sieve analysis test for finding the gradation of the

soil.

• Liquid Limit Apparatus

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Motorised Sieve Shaker Type of Sieves

Consistency limits are used for the

identification and classification of soils.

The liquid limit apparatus consists of a

hard rubber base, carrying a bracket which

houses the sliding carriage assembly and

the eccentric cam. To the shaft of the cam is

fitted a handle by means of which the cam is

rotated by hand. The brass cup is hinged at

the back hanging over a pin supported by

means of the sliding carriage fitted on the

top of the bracket. At the back of the cup is fitted a follower block which rests on the

cam. When the cam is rotated, it causes the cup to be repeatedly lifted gently and left to

fall suddenly upon the hard rubber base. A revolution counter is connected to the shaft of

the cam.

• Shrinkage Limit Set

This method of test is intended for obtaining the data from

which the sub grade soil constants like

shrinkage limit, Shrinkage ratio, Volumetric

shrinkage, Linear shrinkage and

approximate specific gravity may be

calculated.

It consists of an evaporating dish made of porcelain, a

shrinkage dish made of stainless steel,

straight edge, a glass cup, a Perspex plate with 3 metal prongs, a graduated glass

measuring cylinder of 25 ml capacity, and 750 g of mercury.

• Compaction Test Apparatus

3

Liquid Limit Apparatus

Shrinkage Limit Set

The equipment conforms to the essential requirements of IS:

2720 (Part VII). It is used for establishing

moisture-density relationship and for

determining optimum moisture content and

maximum dry density of soil sample with

standard compactive effort assumed to be

equivalent to that normally employed for

compaction in the field with the use of

common rolling equipment. The values of

optimum moisture content and maximum dry

density obtained with the test are used for

drawing the specification for field compaction, and for exercising compaction control in

the field. For designing rolled earth dams and other embankments, data required

regarding shear, consolidation and permeability characteristics are obtained by

performing these tests on specimens compacted with optimum moisture content and

maximum dry density obtained with this compaction test procedure.

In the recent years, heavier compacting equipment has come into use, and in order

to reproduce the greater densities obtained with the equipment, heavy compaction tests

(IS: 2720 – Part VIII) have been developed. In the heavy compaction test, 25 blows of

our 450 mm drop with 4.9 kg rammer on each of five layers, are applied.

The equipment consists of a cylindrical mould known as a compaction mould of

100 mm inside diameter x 127.3 mm height and

1000 cm3 volume, a detachable base plate a

collar and a rammer of 2.6 kg weight with a

guide tube for 310 mm controlled fall. The

mould can be held rigidly to the base plate

through the projected studs with locking nuts.

The collar can be attached to the mould through

the pins, which form the catches.

• Universal Automatic Compactor with Digital Blow Counter

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Compaction Test Apparatus

Automatic Compactor

The electrically operated Universal Automatic Compactor eliminates the tedious

hand compaction process and results in a considerable saving of time. With one Grooved

Rammer of 2.6 kg weight and additional mass for 4.9 kg are provided and the two stroke

lengths available. The apparatus is used to carry out all the normal compaction operations

required in soil testing laboratories as per IS: 2720 (Part VII & VIII) /BS:1377, ASTM D-

698/1557 and the California Bearing Ratio Tests.

It consists of the rammer assembly with a ratchet and pawl arrangement to lift the

rammer from the top of the soil layer. As when the rammer reaches the standard height of

310 mm/300mm/304.8mm (L) or 450mm/457.2mm (H) the pawl releases the rammer

allowing it to fall freely under its own weight. The release mechanism is operated by

stopper. The stopper is connected with Solenoid Coil. The specimen mould base plate is

to be fixed with two bolts to the rotating disc which makes 1/9th revolution per stroke.

The number of strokes required of the rammer can be set on a Programmable Digital blow

counter. At any instant of operation this

counter shows the numbers of strokes

delivered and switches off the motor when

the pre-set number is completed.

• Core Cutter

The equipment meets the

requirements of IS:2720 (Part XXIX) and

covers the method for the determination of

the in-place density of fine grained natural or

compacted soil free from aggregates. Soil

should be termed as fine-grained soil, if not less than 90 percent of it passes a 4.75 mm

IS: Sieve. It is a simple and quick method, in which a core cutter of known volume is

driven into the soil by a rammer. The core cutter is dug out, trimmed and the soil inside

weighed and dried for moisture and density check.

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Core Cutter

Core Cutter having 10 cm internal diameters is made of seamless steel tube. It is

beveled and hardened at one end to form cutting edge. Dolly is made of steel and is

cylindrical in shape. Open from both sides, it is fitted with a lip to enable it to be located

on top of the core cutter. Rammer consists of a solid cylindrical base attached to a steel

stem.

• Sampling Auger Outfit

Sampling Auger Outfit is manufactured

for making auger borings and collecting the

representative samples at different depths. The

samples collected provide an idea of the different

soil layers for the preliminary examination.

The auger consists of a auger head,

extension rod, T-piece and a handle. The auger

head is made of two blades with cutting edges. The extension rod is of 1 metre length.

Number of extension rods can be coupled. (These

can be supplied on extra cost). The T-piece

screws on the extension rod are interchangeable.

• California Bearing Ratio Test Apparatus (Motorised)

It is used for the laboratory determination

of California Bearing Ratio and Expansion

Characteristics of undisturbed soil specimens

from the field and also of remoulded specimens of

the soil compacted in the laboratory by static or

dynamic compaction. All types of soils such as

sand, gravel and crushed stone can be tested. It is also used for the selection of material

and control of sub grade.

The equipment consists of a Load Frame of capacity 50 kN (500kgf), motorized

having three constant rates of strain.

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California Bearing Ratio Test

Sampling Auger Outfit

This apparatus uses motorized load frame, other components are the same as

described above. Load Frame, Motorised, single speed is portable, sturdy and versatile.

Capacity of the unit is 50 kN (5000 kgf) and rate of travel of the lead screw is 1.25

mm/min. It operates on 230 volts, 50 Hz, single phase, AC supply.

• Density Basket

The equipment is used for determining

the specific gravity and water absorption of

aggregates larger than 10 mm. It is ruggedly

constructed from galvanized wire mesh

(approximately 6.3 mm). It has

approximately 20 cm dia x 20 cm height. It

has a carrying handle (hanger) for suspending

the basket from the balance.

• Aggregate Impact Tester with Counter

The equipment is manufactured to meet

the essential requirements of IS: 2386 Part IV

for determining the Aggregate Impact Value of

coarse aggregate. Aggregate Impact Value gives

a relative measure of the resistance of an

aggregate to sudden shock of impact. This

machine is furnished with a quick release trigger

mechanism to manipulate an impact with a free

fall of 13.75 kg hammer from a height of 380

mm ± 5 mm. It is supplied complete with one

cylindrical cup, one metal measure 75 mm dia x

50 mm deep tamping rod and automatic blow

counter.

The instrument is of rigid construction with a circular base over which the two

vertical steel guides are mounted. The guides are connected at the top by a metal plate

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Density Basket

Aggregate Impact Tester

through which the adjustable stop for release of hammer and the locking pin operate. The

hammer slides up and down through vertical guides and is held by the release claw fixed

to the lifting handle. The height of the fall of the hammer can be adjusted through 380

mm ± 5 mm. The cylindrical steel cup can be fixed firmly to the base and is easily

removable for emptying. Another cylindrical metal measure of sufficient rigidity is used

for the preparation of the test sample which is compacted into measure using a tamping

rod.

• Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

The equipment meets the essential

requirements of IS: 2386 (Part IV). This

equipment is for testing crushed rock,

crushed slag, crushed and uncrushed

gravel for resistance to abrasion. It also

meets the requirements of ASTM C 131

and ASSHO T96. The machine is suitable

for operation on 415 volts, 3 phase, 50 Hz,

AC supply.

It consists of a hollow drum

mounted on a sturdy frame, on ball bearings. There is an opening, which can be closed

with a dust tight cover to facilitate charging and discharging the drum with the material

under test. A detachable steel shell, which extends throughout the inside length of the

drum catches the abrasive charge and does not allow it to fall on the cover. The drum is

revolved by a geared electric motor at a speed of 30-33 rpm. A starter is fitted to switch

on or off the electric motor. The motor is operated on 415 volts, 3 phase, 50 Hz, AC

supply. The machine is so counter-balanced as to maintain a substantially uniform speed.

The drum is driven and can be rotated clockwise (facing from the drive side) by hand to

the desired position so that the opening can be brought down or up and the drum can be

discharged with the specimen. A tray is placed on the frame under the drum for collection

of the material at the end of the test. The gear box is to be filled with gear oil through the

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Los Angeles Abrasion Testing Machine

oil filler plug. A drain plug is provided. The machine is provided with a revolution

counter.

• Stripping Equipment

The equipment is used for finding the

stripping value, bitumen adhesion and

durability of aggregates.

• Pycnometer

The equipment is used for finding the specific gravity of soil and bituminous

materials. This consists of the pycnometer with narrow and wide neck, 50 ml sp.gr

bottles, constant temp water bath and thermometer.

• Flash and Fire Point Test Apparatus

The equipment conforms to the

requirements of IP: 35/63, IS: 1209-1978

and IS: 1448 (P-66). It is used for

determining the Open Flash Point and Fire

Point of (i) fuel oils and lubricating oils

(ii) bitumen other than cutback (iii)

bitumen cutback (iv) suspension of solids

in liquids. The apparatus is suitable for

operation on 230 volts, 50 Hz, Single

Phase, AC Supply.

It consists of a cast iron air bath stove (heating vessel), fitted with a top plate and

mounted on an upright tubular support which is also a gas manifold conveying gas to

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Flash and Fire Point Test Apparatus

Stripping Equipment

connections. Two of these connections are controlled by valves for use with test jet. A

ring support for the lid when not in use is an added convenience.

The oil cup has a lifting handle with heat insulating grip. Heating is achieved by a

heating coil fixed to the bath stove. Heating is regulated by the energy regulator.

• Apparatus for Determination of

i) Water content of bitumen (Dean and Stark)

ii) Particle charge of emulsion and

iii) Distillation apparatus

Distillation and Dean & Stark apparatus

Particle charge of emulsion

• Marshall Apparatus

10

Marshall Apparatus

The equipment conforms to ASTMD-1559 and is meant for measurement of the

resistance to plastic flow of cylindrical specimens of bituminous paving mix containing

asphalt or tar and aggregate upto 2.54 mm. The results indicate the resistance of the mix

to withstand displacement under stress. The stability test is of considerable importance in

both design and control of mixes to withstand the tendency of flow or displacement. The

apparatus is suitable for operation on 230 volts, 50 Hz, single phase, AC supply.

The equipment comprises of a mould and collar which fits either end of the mould

during the compaction process. The mould fits on the base plate. The extractor with

spherical seating on the top moves freely inside the mould. The compaction hammer is

provided with a spring seating which acts as a shock absorber. The compaction pedestal

consists of a wooden post capped with 25.4 mm thick steel plate. It can be secured to a

solid concrete slab or to the floor. The specimen mould is to be in place during

compaction of the specimen. The top section is flanged to fit over the collar of the

specimen mould. It is attached to the base by means of a fulcrum on one side and a

tension spring on the other. Two holes are provided in the base for mounting on the

foundation pedestal.

The breaking head assembly consists of two jaws. The lower one is fixed to a

plate which the guide rods are fixed. The upper one moves freely on the guide rods. It

carries a top plate with a spherical seating to keep a steel ball, between the breaking head

assembly and proving ring.

The loading unit, electrically operated, is for operation on 230 volts, 50 Hz, AC

supply. It consists of a geared screw jack assembly enclosed in the frame which moves

the tension rods up and down. The travel of the tension rods is 50.8 mm/min. for

Marshall Apparatus and 61 mm/min. for Hubbard Field Test Apparatus. Speed change

handle is provided for setting the rates of travel, which are indicated on the plate fixed on

the side panel. The gearbox is connected to the motor through V-belt. A proving ring

adaptor is attached to the upper crosshead, which moves up and down with the tension

rods. The proving ring is fixed to the proving ring adaptor. An adaptor with a spherical

seating is fixed on the lower abutment of the proving ring and a steel ball is kept between

the proving ring and the breaking head while loading. The load is applied on the

specimen by the downward movement of the tension rods. A spirit level is attached with

the upper crosshead for leveling. Two limit micro-switches are provided to safeguard the

11

machine from any damage. The machine switches itself off when the cross-head reaches

the limit of its upward or downward travel and can be restarted only by reversing the

main ‘forward-reverse’ switch. These limit switches have been carefully positioned to

give the normal range of travel required in use. This setting should not be disturbed.

• Machine for Evaluating Roughness using Low Cost Instrumentation (Merlin)

The new instrument, which has been

developed, is a variation of the static profile-

measuring device. It is a manually operated

instrument, which is wheeled along the road

and measures surface undulations at regular

intervals. Readings are easily taken and there

is a graphical procedure for data analysis so

that road roughness can be measured on a

standard roughness scale without the need for

complex calculation. Its particular attraction for use is that it is robust, inexpensive,

simple to operate, and easy to make and maintain.

The device is called MERLIN, which is an acronym for a Machine for Evaluating

Roughness using Low-cost INstrumentation. It was designed on the basis of a computer

simulation of its operation on road profiles measured in the International roughness

Experiment (Sayers et al 1986a).

• Thermostatically Controlled Drying Oven

This has a temperature range of 0 to

1500C with internal dimension 600 x 600 x

600 mm with digital temperature controller.

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Thermostatically Controlled Drying Oven

Modified Roughness Testing Machine (Merlin)

• Thermostatically Controlled Water Bath

This has got internal dimension of

750 x 500 x 250 mm with temperature

control.

• Proving Rings

A Proving Ring is an elastic load measuring device which, when used within the

elastic limits, obeys Hooke’s law. In other words, deflection (elongation or compression)

under load is proportional to the loading force.

The deflection of the Ring is measured by means of a very sensitive Dial Gauge

and a load versus deflection chart is given with the Ring showing the deflection at each of

ten equal load steps up to the maximum load capacity of the Ring.

In use, the deflection in division is read from the Dial Gauge and the

corresponding loading force is determined from the chart.

The ring is usually mounted by screwing it into an adapter fixed to the top of the

loading machine by the thread providing in the loading instrument. Normally self-

aligning action of either top or bottom loading platen of the loading machine is provided

by the manufacturer of the machine to allow for slight mis-alignments in the loading axis.

For rings upto 50 kN a steel ball and spherical seat nipple are provided and with the

nipple screwed into the lower abutment of the ring. The load is conveyed through the

steel ball for better self-aligning action. For rings above 50 kN capacity the flat face of

the lower abutment of the ring is used to convey the load. Greater reliance is placed on

the self-aligned action of the loading platen of the loading machine. With the ring in

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Thermostatically Controlled Water Bath

position the test specimen is placed under it or (in the case of tension applications)

attached to it, the dial gauge reading set to zero on-off load condition. The load is

conveyed to the test piece through the ring.

If the loading process is continuous, as in a test to failure of a specimen, the

reading of the dial gauge is monitored and the maximum value of deflection observed.

By referring to the calibration chart provided, value of force corresponding to the

deflection is determined. Where the ring is used for loading in steps for calibration of

loading machines, it is recommended that as far as possible the same steps be used as

given in the calibration chart of the ring itself in order to eliminate any errors of

interpolation in reading from the chart.

• Balances (Automatic and Semi-automatic)

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• Bump Integrator or Roughometer

Bump Integrator or Roughometer

gives speedily a quantitative integrated

evaluation of surface wheel with a

pneumatic tyre mounted on a chassis

over which an integrating device is fitted.

The machine has a panel board fitted

with Six digit digital counters for

counting the length in Meter and Bumps

in C.M.. The operating speed of the

machine is 32+1/2 km/hr. The machine is

towed by vehicle, usually a jeep.

Its wheel runs on the pavement surface and the vertical reciprocating motion of

the axle is converted into unidirectional rotary motion by the integration unit. The

accumulation of this unidirectional motion is recorded by operating Sensor inserted in the

circuit of six digit electronic counter, once for every 25 MM of accumulated unevenness.

Wheel revolutions are also indicated on

another electronic counter through Micro-Switch

actuated by the cam fitted on the hub of the

wheel. The two sets of counter readings give the

unevenness index value in terms of Cm/Km.

The Bump Integrator/Roughometer is

supplied with a pair of transportation wheels,

which will permit towing speeds up to 60 km/hr

without disturbing the accuracy of the

unevenness-measuring wheel.

• Penetration Test Equipment

15

Bump Integrator or Roughometer

Universal Penetro - MeterMeter

The equipment meets the requirements of IS 1203, IS 73 – IS 217 & IS 317. It is

used to grade bituminous binders in terms of their hardness. Depending on climatic

conditions and type of construction, bitumens of different penetration grades are used.

80/100 bitumen denotes that the penetration value ranges between 80 & 100.

The equipment consists of penetrometer, automatic electronic timer, standard set

of cups, transfer dish, needle, weights etc.

• Ductility Test Equipment

The equipment confirms to the requirements of IS

1203. It is used to measure ductility value of bitumen. In a

flexible pavement design, it is necessary that the binder

should form a thin ductile film around the aggregates so that

physical interlocking of the aggregates is improved.

The apparatus consists of briquette mould, ductility

machine thermometers etc.

• Ring and Ball Apparatus

This equipment is used to find out

the temperature at which the bituminous

binders attain a certain viscosity for various

road use applications. The equipment

consists of steel balls, brass rings, heat

resistant beaker, electric heater and energy

regulator, thermometers etc.

16

Ductility Test Equipments

Ring and Ball Apparatus

Standard Tar Viscometer

The equipment confirms to

the requirements of IS 1206. It is

used to find out the viscosity of

bitumen. The degree of viscosity at

the application temperature greatly

influences the ability of

bituminous material to spread,

penetrate into voids and also coat

the aggregates and hence affect

the strength characteristics of

resulting paving mixes. The

equipment consists of standard tar viscometer with electric heater, regulator,

thermometer 0 to 150 deg.C, with 10 mm & 4 mm orifice cups and ball valves.

• Core Drilling Machine

The equipment is used for taking out

cores of diameter 100mm from asphalt. The

core drilling machine is mounted on a sturdy

frame, which in turn is fixed on tow

Pneumatic Tyres. It can be easily towed

behind a jeep.

• Benkelman Beam Apparatus

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Standard Tar Viscometer

Core Drilling Machine

Benkelman Beam Apparatus

The equipment meets the requirements of IS 81-1977. This equipment is a simple

and accurate device for measuring the deflection of flexible pavement under the action of

moving loads. The equipment consists of a slender beam of length 3.66m which is

pivoted to a datum frame at a distance 2.44m from the probe end. The datum frame

rests on a pair of front leveling legs and a roar leg with adjustable height. The probe end

of the beam is inserted between the dual rear wheels of the truck and rests on the

pavement surface at the centre of the loaded area of the dual wheel assembly. A dial

gauge is fixed on the datum frame with it’s spindle in contact with the other end of the

beam is such a way that the distance between the probe end and he fulcrum of the beam

is twice the distance between the fulcrum and dial gauge spindle.

A loaded truck with rear axle head of 8170 kg. is used for the deflection study.

Flexible pavement overlay thickness is

assessed by Benketman Beam method.

• Infrared Moisture Balance

The infrared moisture balance is an

instrument for measuring the moisture

content of materials that do not change their

chemical structure while losing water under

exposure to infrared radiations. This

instrument is widely used for testing soils

used in construction, agricultural soils,

chemicals, raw materials, foods,

pharmaceuticals, plashes and similar

materials.

Since drying and weighing are

simultaneous the Infrared Moisture Balance

is especially useful for determining

moisture percentage in substances that

quickly reabsorb moisture after drying.

The equipment consists of infrared

moisture balance and thermometer.

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Centrifuge Extractor

Infrared Moisture Balance

• Centrifuge Extractor

The Centrifuge extractor is used for the quantitative determination of

bitumen in hot mixed paving mixtures and pavement samples. The centrifuge extractor

consists of a revolving bowl inside the housing.

• Calcium Carbide Test Apparatus

With this portable unit, the

moisture content of soil, sand clay

and other materials can be

determined in few minutes. It can

also be used to determine the

moisture contents of various types of

pastes, powders & mixes. The

equipment consists of a rapid

moisture meter, calcium carbide

bottles etc.

• Settlement test apparatus

The test is used for finding the

settlement of bitumen. The apparatus

consists of two 500ml graduated

cylinder with pressed or moulded

glass bases, cork or glass stoppers, a

60ml siphon, and glass tube pipette of

optional form.

• Coagulation test apparatus

19

Calcium Carbide Test Apparatus

The apparatus conforms to the essential requirements of IS:8887:1995. It is used

for determining the coagulation of emulsion at low temperature. It consists of 150mm

long glass boiling tube having 25mm internal diameter, provided with a cork and central

hole having 13mm diameter, a 600 micron IS sieve, two beakers of 600ml capacity and a

thermostatically controlled water bath.

• Test to determine residue on sieving on 600 micron IS sieve

The equipment consists of a

circular 600 micron IS sieve

approximately 100mm diameter and

40mm height, a small metal or glass

dish about 110mm diameter, a well

ventilated oven thermostatically

controlled to 100 to 110 0C, a litre

container, two balances, one of

capacity 250g and accuracy of 0.01g

and other of capacity 10kg and accuracy of 1g

• Solubility test

The test is used for the

determination of solubility and

bitumen in carbon disulphide. The

apparatus consists of gooch crucible,

conical glass flask of 200ml capacity

and solvent used is carbon disulphide

confirming to IS:717:1969.

• Thin film oven test

The method of test is intended

for the determination of loss on

20

heating of bitumen. The apparatus consists of an oven, perforated metal shelf,

thermometer and a container, which is a cylindrical pan of 140 mm inside diameter and

10 mm deep with a flat bottom.

• Determination of wax content in bitumen

This test is used for determining the

paraffin wax content of bitumen. The method

is applicable to bitumen having paraffin wax

with melting point above 25 0C. The

apparatus consists of a balance, Steam bath,

Oven, Bunsen burner, thermometers,

distillation flask, sheet metal guard ring,

cooling bath, test tubes, funnel, Erlenmeyer flask, test tube, filtering flask, vacuum pump

and evaporating dish.

• Portable Wheel Weighing Bridge

This is used to determine axle load of vehicles. It consists of 6 Load cells located

inside a rectangular platform. The electrical outputs are brought out through 4-pin MS

connector. Bridge balancing circuits for each Load cell are provided inside the bridge. All

load cell’s excitation and outputs are connected in parallel. This combination senses the

average load applied on the platform.

21

The other accessories required for the test are Load cell and a load indicator. Load

cell is a transducer, which converts load into proportional electrical signals. Load

indicator is an accurate and sensitive instrument used for measuring loads employing

strain gauge based cells as sensor.

• Procurement of IS codes

The Indian Standard Codes published by Bureau of Indian Standards gives the

procedure for all the tests. The list of IS codes already procured is given in Appendix-

• Accessories

In addition to the main equipments, the accessories required for testing were

procured during the period. The list of items is given in Appendix IV.

Traffic Safety Cones

• Other Equipments

The lab has been provided with one ECHO SOUNDER for hydrographic studies,

two numbers of Total Stations and one DGPS for surveying purpose from the Head

office.

The models are given below:

1. Total Station 1- SOKKIA POWER SET 2010 with 2” accuracy with accessories and software.

2. Total Station 2-TOPCON 700 with 2” accuracy with accessories and software CIVILCAD Base Module.

3. GPS – LEICA DGPS SR 530Dual frequency Global Positioning system with base and rover set.

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4. Echo Sounder – BATHY –500 DF Dual Frequency hydrographic Echo Sounder.

5. GPS Handset – MAGELLAN SPORTRAK handheld GPS

R & D PROJECTS UNDERTAKEN BY THE HIGHWAY ENGG. DIVISION AND LAB

The equipments in the Highway Engineering Laboratory are being utilized for the

research and sponsored projects under taken by the the division. The details of the

projects undertaken by the division are briefed below which establishes the utility of the

laboratory.

RESEARCH PROJECTS

Development of GIS technology enabled map server for Inland Waterways of Kerala-A Pilot Study

A GIS technology enabled map server was developed for the Inland Waterways.

This was a one year project under plan programme. Data collection included depth

measurement using echo sounder, laboratory testing of water and sediment samples and

23

geo referencing of the map using DGPS. The study made use of analytical and display

capabilities of GIS. The study stretch is the Kottappuram –Chettuva section of West

Coast Canal (53kms).The GIS map server presents geo-spatial data of Inland Waterways

in standardized format. Forty five layers are prepared which provide twenty five

coverages including various socio-economic and engineering aspects of the canal system.

The project enables effective sharing of IW information across agencies. It is a major step

for integrating IWT with the overall States transportation plan. The software developed is

user friendly and the frame work can be replicated to other stretches of WCC. The GIS

platform can be updated from time to time.

Development of Pavement Maintenance Management System(PMMS) for selected roads in Kerala.

The scope of the study is limited to carry out the performance evaluation studies

of selected road stretches for 3 years and

to develop models which can form input

to PMMS.

The project aims at development of

Unevenness Progression Model, Structural Deterioration model, Crack initiation &

propagation model& Pothole development and propagation model for pavements. Studies

on modified binders are also included as part of the project.

Attingal-Kallambalam

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To achieve this objective representative road stretches are selected across the

state and the evaluation studies are conducted on the same for 3 years.

Structural evaluation using Benkelman Beam deflection technique, functional

evaluation including condition Surveys, road Inventory, Skid resistance using Potable

Pendulum Skid resistance tester, Unevenness index using fifth wheel type Bump

Integrator, Road camber measurement-using camber board, evaluation of subgrade soil

properties like CBR, field Density by Sand replacement Method, Atterberg limits (Liquid

limit & Plasticity Index), Gradation by Sieve Analysis, Traffic surveys like axle load,

classified volume count etc. are included.

Data collection for Phase-II of PMMS project is progressing.

Feasibility Study For Integrated Development of Kottappuram –Chettuva Stretch of West Coast Canal

Inland Water Transport (IWT) is one of the widely accepted, energy efficient, safe

and eco-friendly mode. The Kottappuram Chettuva stretch of West Coast Canal having a

length of 53 kms form the immediate

extension of National waterway 3 from

Chettuva towards North

.

An integrated development of the section is

proposed to develop the stretch as a model

waterway and make the canal sustainable.

The first phase of the study which includes

data collection, analysis and prefeasibility is

completed. The second phase consisting of a

detailed study is in progress.

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Study on navigability of feeder canals of Alappuzha region.

The study aims at identifying the feeder canal network of Alappuzha region &

assessing the canal system from the navigability point of view. Total Length of Feeder

canal network of Kerala is 960 kms. Alappuzha district alone account for 200 kms. It is

also proposed to carry out estimation of traffic potential, socio-economic aspects and

techno- economic aspects of the canal system. The study is in progress.

Suitability of locally available material for Road construction in Kerala

The scope of the project is to conduct studies for the suitability of locally available

materials for road construction in Coastal Kerala: by adding materials like red earth,

lateritic soil, crushed stone, quarry dust etc. The material most suitable for strengthening

the soil will be found out from the laboratory studies based on the improvements in

properties. Not much research has been done in this line specific to Kerala Coast for road

construction and the findings of the study will be helpful in identifying the appropriate

materials.

Ground Stabilization Techniques for Road Construction in Clayey Soils of

Kuttanadu Region

The study aims at identifying the road construction problems in Kuttanadu area

such as frequent surface failures & distress, settlement of embankments, failure of bridge

substructure due to settlement etc. The load bearing properties of clayey soils of

Kuttanadu region will be studied by conducting laboratory studies to suggest methods to

improve the same.

GIS application for Management of Bridges

The scope of the study is to design and formulate a data management system for

bridges in GIS platform. A user interface for easy access of the data base will be created

using ARC/INFO and Arc Macro Language. The GIS based bridge data base enhances

the flexibility of operations, eases the access of the required data and facilitates decision

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making and can be used for asset management. Updation of the available data by field

inspection and geo referencing of the location using GPS is to be done before developing

the system.

SPONSORED PROJECTS

Roughness Studies for Roads Constructed under KSTP

This is a sponsored project

under taken for PWD. Roughness

studies for 6 road stretches of 140 kms

was done using Bump Integrator. The

result showed that the road stretches can

be categorized as good surface as per

the norms laid down by Indian Roads

Congress.

Improvement of Road connectivity to Tourist Locations in Kerala.

A project report for

improving the connectivity to

selected tourist locations in the state

has been prepared for tourism

department. The study helps the

tourism department to identify the

roads to be considered for

improvement and to take necessary

steps to implement the same based on a scientific ranking. Tourism department has

already taken action to implement the same.

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Study of modified bitumen for road constructions in Kerala.

The study is sponsored by Rubber Board to evaluate the pavements constructed

and overlaid with rubber modified bitumen in Kerala and study the applicability of rubber

modified bitumen for Kerala condition. Comparative study of different types such as

NRMB, CRMB and PMB is also arrived at.

Pavement constructed or overlaid with rubber modified bitumen will be evaluated

functionally by conducting detailed condition survey, measurement of roughness using

Bump Integrator, measurement of skid resistance etc. Structural evaluation of the

pavement will be done by deflection studies using Benkelman Beam. The laboratory

studies include:

• Investigation of subgrade soil in order to determine subgrade soil properties such

as CBR, Field density, Plasticity index, Grain size analysis.

• Investigation on core extracted from the field to determine the effect of ageing on

bituminous binders.

• Test to determine properties of rubber modified bitumen such as NRMB, PMB,

and CRMB etc and compare their properties.

4. OTHER ACTIVITIES

Training to staff

In house training / demonstration was conducted for the staff attached to the

division for a period of one month in October as part of the installation of equipments.

Services of faculty from college of Engineering, Thiruvananthapuram were utilized for

the same. The programme was held from 4pm to 6pm on working days.

Special Training to Engineers

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One Civil Engineer was selected from a panel of 16 Engineers who were working

in NATPAC under different schemes based on a written test followed by interview and

was sponsored for a PG Certificate course on ‘Road Technology ‘ approved by

Visveswaraya Technological University and conducted by IR RASTA, Bangalore. The

duration of the course was six months and the person joined NATPAC and is attached to

the division in May 2005 after successfully completing the course with first rank.

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