Learning objectives
The course deals with the technology and engineering of highway construction and basically aims at identifying the main processes and technological controls currently used during construction, maintenance and rehabilitation of transportation infrastructures.
Prerequisites
Construction of Roads, Railways and Airports
Course unit content
The lectures sequence ideally follows the development of a highway or intersection design project and of an infrastructure yard in each phase, since the earthworks to pavements construction and control. Each topic includes numerical exercises and laboratory experiences specifically defined in order to present methods and calculation procedures currently used in highway engineering and constructions.
Full programme
Tutorial on computer-aided design of a simple stretch of road or a road intersection.
Program
Introduction to laboratory analysis in highway engineering. Road materials basic elements and classification; Road sections, layer sequence, constructuve aspects and materials; Technical contracts for road works and constructions; Technical standards systems (CNR, UNI EN, ASTM, AASHTO); Lab instrumentations and main data acquisition systems; Measurements reliability.
Criteria and technical systems for soil classification; Soil compaction: Proctor and modified AASHTO tests; Bearing capacity of soils: laboratory measurements; Embankments design; Analysis of compaction in situ; Embankment construction and earthworks machines; In situ testing and analyses.
Granular unbound and cement-treated materials. Technical indications; Characteristics of constituent materials; Artificial aggregates and recycled materials; Grading curves and distributions; Mix design criteria and techniques for cement-treated materials; Bearing capacity and mechanical properties; Plant mixing and laying operations; Layer control.
Asphaltic materials and pavement layers. Mineral aggregates: classification, controls and engineering requirements; Asphalt binders (bitumens): classification and testing. Asphalt mixtures: basic elements; Volumetric composition and specific gravity; Marshall Mix design; Superpave Mix design; Introduction to mechanical behaviour; Indirect tensile strength; Stiffness (creep e dynamic experiments); Fatigue resistance; Plant operations; Laying and compaction machines.
Pavement controls. Geometrical characteristics of pavement layers; Structural features of pavament layers; FWD systems and back-analysis procedures; Functional (superficial) features of pavements; Skid resistance, micro and macro-texture controls.
Bibliography
Tesoriere G. Strade, Ferrovie, Aeroporti – Volume 2. Utet.
Ferrari P., Giannini F. Ingegneria Stradale – Volume 2: Corpo Stradale e Pavimentazioni. ISEDI.
Huang Y.H. Pavement Analysis and Design. Prentice Hall.
Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Technician Training Manual. (2006).
Centro Interuniversitario di Ricerca Stradale (CIRS). Norme tecniche di tipo prestazionale per capitolati speciali d’appalto. Ministero delle Infrastrutture e dei Trasporti (2002).
Italian and European technical regulations and material provided directly to Students in the classroom or at the request online.
Teaching methods
Lectures, numerical excercises, laboratory experiences
Assessment methods and criteria
The examination consists of a discussion dealing with laboratory experiences and exercises carried out during the course.
Other information
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