Alaska University Transportation Center

Transportation Safety, Security and Innovation in Cold Regions

Researchers install remote instruments on an Alaska glacier as part of a study to improve snow melt and flood forecasting for transportation planners. (Photo: A. Liljedahl)

An interactive driving simulator developed by AUTC's partners at the University of Idaho. The facility is integral to an ongoing project on Alaska passing lane safety. (Photo: AUTC)

AUTC’s partners at North Carolina State University conducting seismic testing during research on bridge performance. Shown above: NCSU’s Constructed Facilities Laboratory. (Photo: E. Marx)

Graduate Student Nathan Stephan conducts field research as part of AUTC’s Umiat Corridor Study on Alaska’s North Slope. (Photo: W. Schnabel, WERC)

David Barnes and a team of UAF student researchers conduct lab experiments as part of a project on rural dust reduction. (Photo: AUTC)

A remote rainfall measurement gauge used to calculate statewide precipitation rates for Alaska transportation planners. (Photo: S. Stuefer)

Johannes Eising flies his Airship Prototype at the 2012 Airship Workshop sponsored by NASA, INE and AUTC in Anchorage Alaska. (Photo: AUTC News)

Sample of coconut matting used to mitigate thermal erosion and permafrost degradation near highway embankments in Alaska. (Photo: AUTC News)

AUTC Researcher Xiong Zhang and student researchers install instruments at the Permafrost Research Tunnel in Fox, AK. (Photo: X. Zhang)

An AUTC research team conducts lab tests on the durability of concrete used in cold-region construction. (Photo: AUTC)

Dave Brailey and Emily Youcha take discharge measurements on Alaska’s Shaviovik River as part of AUTC’s Umiat Corridor Study. (Photo: W. Schnabel)

Project Updates

Feb

AUTC Ph.D. Student, Anthony Mullin, Presents at TRB

Evaluating the Need to Seal Thermal Cracks in Alaska’s Asphalt Concrete Pavements

By: Anthony Mullin

The Alaska Department of Transportation & Public Facilities (AKDOT&PF) has promoted routine sealing (or in severe cases, patching) of all cracks in asphalt concrete (AC) pavements for many years. Crack sealing is a common maintenance practice for all pavement types in most areas of the United States. Based on many field observations made by AKDOT&PF research engineers over the preceding 30 years, a conjecture had developed that certain crack types may sometimes be ignored, i.e., left completely unsealed, for the life of the pavement with no negative effects. The research conducted for this study represents the first attempt in Alaska to verify or reject this conjecture through a systematic field study of a significant portion of Alaska’s paved highway system. While only thermal cracks are the subject of speculation data was collected on other types of cracks and pavement surface distresses as well. The field study was limited to one year and was conducted on interconnecting roads to include the Richardson, Alaska, Glenn, Tok Cutoff, Steese, Elliot, Parks, and Sterling. Evaluations were performed on 91 sections 0.1 mile long and are a minimum of 20 years old. The methods of evaluation were PASER, LTPP, and a Special Thermal Crack Evaluation system. These methods are qualitative, quantitative, and include many photographs with documented observations. References for the literature review describe fracture energy being a discriminating parameter to compare different asphalt mixes. Much has been written on the comparison of sealing techniques and materials but few references discuss how crack sealing affects metrics for overall ride quality. Finally, suggestions are given on what type and condition of thermal cracks to seal or not seal. It is the opinion of the authors that lessor thermal cracks in Interior Alaska do not need to be sealed. It is also suggested to perform further research on pre-saw cutting asphalt pavements such as had been done successfully in Fairbanks over 25 years ago.

Feb

Thesis: Washington Ferry & AMHS Landings

AUTC Project # 309001

J Hutchinson THESIS_Final (Repaired)

Feb

Project Presentation: Crack Sealing

Evaluating the Necessity for Sealing Thermal Cracks in Alaska’s AC Pavements

Anthony Mullin, Robert McHattie, and Jenny Liu

Crack Sealing Presentation_01-31-2013-1

Jan

A Study of Unstable Slopes in Permafrost Areas: Alaskan Case Studies Used as a Training Tool

UnstableSoilSlopes_FINAL_REPORT

Other News

Feb

International Symposium of Climatic Effects on Pavement and Geotechnical Infrastracture

Announcement and Call for Participation

The Alaska University Transportation Center, International Association of Chinese Infrastructure Professionals, Chang’ An University, Harbin Institute of Technology, and Tongji University will be holding the International Symposium of Climatic Effects on Pavement and Geotechnical Infrastructure this year, August 4-7, 2013 at University of Alaska Fairbanks. The main objective is to provide a showcase of recent developments and advances and offer an international forum to discuss Climatic Effects on Pavement and Geotechnical Infrastructure.

For more information on participation please see brochure attached. Symposium-Climatic Effects on Pavement and Geotechnical Infrastructure Brochure

Jan

Saturday: Public Lecture on FNSB Air Quality

This Saturday, January 19th, in the Schaible Auditorium on the University of Alaska Fairbanks campus, Nicole Mölders will give a free public lecture on her research into air quality problems in the Fairbanks North Star Borough at 2:00 pm. (more…)

Jan

AUTC Heated Pavement Study Featured in ADN

Today’s Anchorage Daily News features a story on AUTC’s research into heated pavement as a cost-effective de-icing method. View the story online here. (more…)

Jan

AUTC 2013 Student of the Year: Jason Zottola

Jason Zottola has been selected by the Executive Board as the Alaska University Transportation Center’s 2013 Student of the Year. (more…)