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CHAPTER 1 Background Problem Statement In the earlier phases (1 through 3) of Project R06B, the research team explored the potential for broad use of portable spectroscopic devices to fingerprint construction materials commonly used in transportation infrastructure. The most promising technologies were recommended for implementation by transportation agencies to incorporate them in quality assurance/quality control (QA/QC) programs. The proposed applications included fingerprinting bridge coatings and water-based traffic paints using a portable X-ray fluorescence (XRF) instrument and detecting chemical admixtures in portland cement concrete (PCC) using a portable attenuated total reflection Fourier transform infrared (ATR FT-IR) spectrometer. In addition, a procedure to detect high levels of moisture and oxidation in recycled asphalt pavements by ATR FT-IR was proposed. Further details may be found in the R06B Report. The preliminary field tests conducted during Phase 3 of the projects indicated that the proposed procedures were viable for field application and draft AASHTO specifications were developed for field application. However, additional experience with implementation was required in order for the proposed methods to mature for adoption by state highway agencies (SHAs). Given the limited experience of most SHA materials testing labs with spectroscopic techniques, additional testing and closer collaboration of the research team with the future end users was deemed necessary for the proposed testing methods to reach the implementation stage. Research Objectives The scope of this pre-implementation phase of the project included the following proposed AASHTO methods: 1. Identification of Water Reducing, Accelerating, and Retarding Chemical Admixtures in Fresh Portland Cement Concrete by Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectrometer. 2. Standard Method of Test for Determination of Titanium Content in Traffic Paints by Field-Portable X-Ray Fluorescence Spectroscopy. 3. Evaluation of Oxidation of Rap-Modified Asphalt Mixtures Using Attenuated Total Reflection Infrared Spectrometer. To achieve the ultimate goal of promoting the integration of these advanced testing methods into routine QA/QC processes, the following objectives were set: ⢠Develop and refine agency-oriented specifications for the spectroscopy technologies based on the standards and procedures developed during Phase 3. 1
⢠Conduct pilot projects with at least two transportation agencies to demonstrate agency- oriented specifications. ⢠Prepare a template of an implementation plan applicable to a state highway agency (SHA). ⢠Organize and conduct a webinar targeting future end users of SHAs to disseminate the project results. 2
