Scribd
Upload
30 views

8 Thickness and Tonnage Control

1) The document discusses thickness and tonnage control when paving roads, including checking mat thickness, determining planned thickness from design rates, and ensuring the actual placement matches the design. 2) Technicians are responsible for collecting weigh tickets from haul trucks, calculating actual spread rates in pounds per square yard or other units, and comparing to planned rates to check for overages or shortages. 3) Spread rates can be calculated in multiple units - pounds per square yard, pounds per linear foot, or tons per linear foot - and involve measuring material placed against distance paved and lane width. Comparisons to planned rates ensure proper mat thickness.

Uploaded by

RR886
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
30 views

8 Thickness and Tonnage Control

1) The document discusses thickness and tonnage control when paving roads, including checking mat thickness, determining planned thickness from design rates, and ensuring the actual placement matches the design. 2) Technicians are responsible for collecting weigh tickets from haul trucks, calculating actual spread rates in pounds per square yard or other units, and comparing to planned rates to check for overages or shortages. 3) Spread rates can be calculated in multiple units - pounds per square yard, pounds per linear foot, or tons per linear foot - and involve measuring material placed against distance paved and lane width. Comparisons to planned rates ensure proper mat thickness.

Uploaded by

RR886
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
Available Formats
Download as PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
You are on page 1/ 9

8 Thickness and Tonnage Control

Checking Mat Thickness


Determining Mat Thickness
Depth Checks

Actual Rate of Speed


Technician Responsibility
Stationing
Weigh Tickets
Computing Rates of Speed

Paving Report

CHAPTER EIGHT:
THICKNESS AND TONNAGE CONTROL
The thickness and width of the paving operation are shown on the typical
sections in the contract plans or the proposal. The actual compacted
thickness of the mat is required to conform to the planned design. The
design thickness is determined so the pavement is strong enough to carry
the anticipated traffic. If the mat is too thin, the pavement will likely fail
prematurely. If the mat is too thick, the pay quantities will overrun and
increase the cost of the contract unnecessarily.
The thickness of the mat is checked by verifying the uncompacted
thickness behind the paver and by verifying the actual rate of spread.
The plans specify the rate in pounds per square yard that the HMA is to be
placed. This is known as the "Planned Quantity". The planned quantity is
used in checking the thickness and the rate of speed.

CHECKING THE MAT THICKNESS


DETERMINING MAT THICKNESS

Before conducting any depth checks, the required thickness is obtained.


Through experience, HMA mixes have indicated that 110 lb/yd2 is
equivalent to approximately 1 in. of compacted depth. Mixes made with
slag aggregates weigh somewhat less or more depending on the type of
slag used.
The formula for determining the compacted mat thickness is:
Planned Quantity (lb/yd) = Desired mat thickness in inches
110 lb
Example 1:
Planned quantity = 330 lbs/yd
330 = 3.0 inches
110
For a planned quantity of 330 lb/yd2, the mat thickness would be
approximately 3 in.
8-1

Example 2:
Planned quantity = 165 lb/yd
165 = 1.5 inches = 1 inches
110
The mat thickness for 165 lb/yd would be approximately 1 1/2 inches.
DEPTH CHECKS

The thickness of the uncompacted mat is checked immediately behind the


paver screed and at various points across the lane. Depth checks are made
regularly and are useful in determining if particular areas on the grade or
pavement differ greatly from the typical cross sections. An excessively
thin or thick mat does not compact properly. A mat too thin drags the mix
aggregate. A mat too thick is difficult to compact to the required density.
Adjustments to the paver may be required for the depth of mix. If the
problem is extensive, the slope of the pavement or the planned thickness
may need to be changed.
ACTUAL RATE OF SPREAD
The determination of the actual rate of spread is a more accurate method
of determining the mixture placed than individual depth checks because
the rate of spread considers the average spread over a longer paving
length.
TECHNICIAN RESPONSIBILITY

Ensuring that the actual amount of mix placed by the Contractor complies
with the plans is the responsibility of the HMA Technician. The
Technician is required to collect weigh tickets as the mix is delivered to
the paving site and keep a record of the actual amount of mix placed. This
record allows the Technician to determine the "Placed Quantity" and
compare this quantity to the "Planned Quantity".
The Technician is required to compute the actual rate of spread and
compare this rate to the planned rate. The planned rate is typically shown
on the plans in pounds per square yard. The actual rate of spread may be
computed in pounds per linear foot, tons per linear foot, or pounds per
square yard. Both the planned and actual rates are required to be in the
same units for valid comparisons. The PE/PS is consulted for the
preferred method.

8-2

The purpose of computing the actual rate of spread is to determine if the


planned amount is being placed. If the actual rate exceeds the planned
rate, too much mix is being placed and there is an overrun of material. If
the actual rate is less than the planned rate, too little mix is being placed
and there is an underrun. In either case, adjustments are required to be
made to bring the actual quantity in line with the planned quantity.
STATIONING

Highway contracts are surveyed and staked in 100 ft increments called


stations. Station 1 is written as 1+00, Station 25 as 25+00, and so on.
Station 25+00 would equal 2500 ft from a fixed reference point.
The use of stations makes the determination of distance paved relatively
easy. If the paving started at Station 25+00 and ended at Station 60+00,
there would be 3500 ft (6000 minus 2500) of mix paved. To be more
precise, the distance from the actual starting or ending point to a station is
determined and added or subtracted from the station referenced. For
example, if the paving started 75 ft past Station 25+00, the starting point
would be 25+75, or 2575 ft from the fixed reference point. If the ending
point was 40 ft beyond Station 60+00, or 60+40, the distance paved would
be 6040 minus 2575 or 3465 ft.
WEIGH TICKETS

A weigh ticket which shows the net weight of the material is required to
be furnished for every load of mix delivered to the paving site. The weigh
ticket is issued to the truck driver at the weighing site and is required to be
signed by the INDOT Weighman supervising the Contractors weighing
operations. However, when the Contractor is using computerized scales
there is not a requirement for a weighman and the tickets are delivered to
the contract unsigned.
The HMA Technician is required to collect a weigh ticket for each load
from the truck driver at the same time the material is unloaded at the
paving site. Upon taking the ticket, the Technician is required to:
1)

Check the ticket for the INDOT Weighmans signature (if


required) verifying that the information is correct

2)

Write on the ticket the starting station of the load and the
lane (right, left, or center) where the material is placed. A
preferred method of designating lanes is EBPL (eastbound
passing lane), EBDL (eastbound driving lane), etc.

8-3

3)

Keep a running total of the mix unloaded at the paving site


on the back of the ticket

4)

Sign the original ticket after checking the appearance of the


mix

At any time during the day and at any point along the roadway, the
number of tons of mix that has been dumped into the paver is required to
be known.
COMPUTING RATES OF SPREAD

As stated above, there are several methods of computing the actual rate of
spread. The calculations differ primarily in the units in which the rates are
expressed. The three methods are:
1)

Method 1 rate expressed in pounds per square yard

2)

Method 2 rate expressed in pounds per linear foot

3)

Method 3 rate expressed in tons per linear foot

Before starting the explanations of the rates of spread, the relationship


between the areas of the three methods is required. As indicated in the
diagram below, 9 ft2 equals 1 yd2. The number of square yards in a linear
foot depends on the width being paved.

The formula for determining the relationship is:


1 foot x pavement width (feet) = 1 x w =
9 ft2/yd2
9

yd2/lft (linear foot)

For a width of 12 ft as shown in the above diagram, the square yards per
linear foot would be:
1 x 12 = 1.33 yd2/lft
9

8-4

Examples of the three methods of checking the actual rates with planned
rates are as follows. The diagram below indicating the amount paved and
quantities used applies to all three examples.

Method 1 Pounds per Square Yard


The planned quantity is 330 lb/yd. The procedure for the first 5 loads is
as follows:
1)

Total the weights of the loads placed in pounds to the point


where the check is made. The total of the first five loads
equals 240,000 pounds.

2)

Determine the total length paved in linear feet.


Loads 1 through 5 began at Station 10+00 and end at
Station 15+75
(15+75) - (10+00) = 575 lft

3)

Determine the area paved in square yards.


Total length x width paved = 575 x 12 = 767 yd
9
9

8-5

4)

Calculate the actual rate of spread in lb/yd


Total mix placed (lb) = 240,000 lb = 313 lb/yd
Area paved (yd)
767 yd

5)

Compare the placed quantity and planned quantity


If placed quantity = planned quantity: Mat is correct
If placed quantity > planned quantity: Overrun
If placed quantity < planned quantity: Underrun

The planned quantity equals 330 lb/yd. The placed quantity of 312.9
lb/yd is less than the planned quantity indicating an underrun and a mat
that is too thin. The Contractor is required to make the necessary
adjustments.
After load 10, the paver is at Station 20+00 and 500,000 pounds have been
placed.
Total length = (20+00) (10+00) = 1000 lft
Area = (1000 x 12) / 9 = 1333 yd
Placed Quantity = 500,000 / 1333 = 375 lb /yd
The placed quantity of 375 lb/yd is greater than the planned
quantity indicating an overrun.
After Load 20, the paver is at Station 32+70 and a total of 1,000,000 lb
have been placed.
Total length = (32+70) (10+00) = 2270 lft
Area = (2270 x 12) / 9 = 3027 yd
Placed quantity = 1,000,000 / 3027 = 330.4 lb/yd
The placed quantity equals the planned quantity indicating the
spread rate is correct.
Method 2 Pounds per Linear Foot
The planned quantity is 330 lb/yd
1) Convert the planned quantity from lb/yd to lb/lft
length of one foot x width paved = 1 x 12 = 1.33 yd/lft
9 ft/yd
9
planned quantity x yd/lft = 330 x 1.33 = 440 lb/lft

8-6

2) Total the weights of the loads placed in pounds to the point where
the check is made.
The total of the first five loads equals 240,000 pounds
3) Determine the total length paved in linear feet
Loads 1 through 5 began at Station 10+00 and end at Station
15+75
(15+75) - (10+00) = 575 lft

4) Calculate the actual rate of spread in lb/lft


total mix placed = 240,000 lb = 417.4 lb/lft
total length paved
575 lft
5) Compare the placed quantity and the planned quantity
The placed quantity of 417.4 lb/lft is less than the planned quantity
of 440 lb/lft indicating that an underrun and a mat that is too thin.
After Load 10, the paver is at Station 20+00 and 500,000 pounds have
been placed.
Total length = (20+00) (10+00) = 1,000 lft
Placed quantity = 500,000 / 1,000 = 500 lb/lft
The placed quantity of 500 lb/lft is greater than the planned
quantity of 440 lb/lft indicating an overrun and a mat that is too
thick.
After Load 20, the paver is at Station 32+70 and 1,000,000 lb have been
placed.
Total length = (32+70) (10+00) = 2270 lft
Placed quantity = 1,000,000 / 2270 = 440.5 lb/lft
The placed quantity equals the planned quantity indicating that the
spread rate is correct.

8-7

Method 3 Tons per Linear Foot


The planned quantity is 330 lb/yd2
1) Convert the planned quantity from lb/yd to t/lft
planned quantity (lb/yd) x width of paving (ft) = 330 x 12 = 0.22 t/lft
9 (ft/yd) x 2000 (lb/t)
18,000
2) Total the weights of the loads placed in pounds to the point where
the check is made and convert to tons.
The total of the first five loads equals 240,000 pounds.
Note: 2,000 pounds equals 1 ton.
pounds placed =
2000 lb

240,000 = 120 tons


2,000

3) Determine the total length paved in linear feet.


Loads 1 through 5 began at Station 10+00 and end at Station15+75
(15+75) (10+00) = 575 lft
4) Calculate the theoretical quantity (tons) for the total length paved.
planned quantity (tons/lft) x total length paved (lft)
0.22 tons/lft x 575 lft = 126.5 tons
5) Compare the placed quantity and theoretical quantity
placed quantity theoretical quantity = tons over/under
120 tons 126.5 tons = -6.5 tons (Underrun)
Note: If net tons is positive, there is an overrun
If net tons are negative, there is an underrun
6) Calculate % of underrun or overrun
net over/under (tons) x 100 = -6.5 x 100 = 5.14% underrun
theoretical quantity (tons)
126.5
PAVING REPORT
The quantity checks made by the HMA Technician using the method
designated by the PE/PS are required to be documented.
8-8

You might also like