New ICT-IDOT projects

The ICT Executive Committee recently approved a new project, “Chemical and Compositional Characterization of Recycled Binders” (R27-162), which is now under way. The objective of the project is to evaluate chemical properties of recycled binders and their relationship to the binders’ physical characteristics that affect blending with the virgin binder and performance of the mixes throughout their service life. Principal investigator is B.K. Sharma, who is with the Illinois Sustainable Technology Center at the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign. Matt Mueller, Engineer of Tests with IDOT’s Bureau of Materials and Physical Research, is serving as the chair of the Technical Review Panel for the project. 

Another project that recently began is “Effect of Early-Age Concrete Elastic Properties on Fatigue Damage in PCC Pavements Containing Fibers” (R27-154). Mohsen Issa, professor in the Department of Civil and Materials Engineering at the University of Illinois at Chicago, is the principal investigator. Technical Review Panel chair is James Krstulovich, Concrete Research Engineer at IDOT. The purpose of the project is to investigate cost-effective, long-term options for minimizing lane closure time on Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement projects without affecting their overall performance.

In addition, two new special projects are under way:

• Evaluation of PG-Graded Asphalts with Low-Level of Re-Refined Engine Oil Bottoms (ReOB) (R27-SP28): Principal investigators: Hasan Ozer, University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign; and Greg Renshaw, Illinois Center for Transportation. IDOT Technical Review Panel chair: Vickie Prill, Chief Chemist, IDOT Bureau of Materials and Physical Research
• Thermodynamics Between RAP/RAS and Virgin Aggregates During Asphalt Concrete Production—A Literature Review (R27-SP29): Principal investigator: Mohammad Hossain, Bradley University. IDOT Technical Review Panel chair: Matt Mueller, Engineer of Tests, IDOT Bureau of Materials and Physical Research.