Chemistry Research Facility Fact Sheet
Research that is Essential, Indispensable, and Connected to our
Customers.
Purpose
The Turner Fairbank Highway Research Center Chemistry Research Facility (
CRF)
conducts fundamental studies of highway materials from a chemical point of
view. Investigations into the chemical mechanisms involved in well-known
distress modes in concrete and asphalt pavements helps to generate new testing
methods and foster the development of new materials.
CRF validates Federal Highway Administration sponsored off-site research, offers
unbiased support for State agencies and industry partners, and assists with the
forensic evaluation of pavement failures.
DESCRIPTION
Research projects conducted within the
CRF support both the goals of the Federal Highway
Administration and provide assistance to State agencies and industry partners.
MAJOR COMPONENTS
CRF is composed of the following three laboratories:
The Chemistry Laboratory synthesizes and characterizes highway materials and
evaluates their susceptibility to in-service damage. This synthesis includes
evaluating the susceptibility of highway materials to weathering, moisture
damage, oxidation, deleterious aggregates, and ASR gel formation, as well as
studying the harmful effects of deicing chemicals on the materials.
The Analytical Laboratory
uses highly specialized equipment for the identification
and chemical analysis of materials used in paving structures and for the
development of standard test methods for the paving industry.
Instrumentation includes the following:
- The
Infrared Spectrometer is used for the identification of coatings and asphalt
binders and the rapid determination of the type and quantity of additives in
binders as well as their degree of aging.
- The uses for
the Ion Exchange Chromatograph include the quantitative determination of
additives for forensic
tests in paving systems and the
effects of additives on the environment surrounding highway systems.
- The Atomic
Absorption Spectrometer is used in forensic studies to determine the amounts of
trace metals present in paving systems such as lime in hot mix asphalt.
- The
Elemental Analyzer determines the amount of carbon, hydrogen, nitrogen, oxygen,
and sulfur present in organic systems. It is used to study the structure and aging
of asphalt binders.
- The solvent
separation of asphalt binders into their component Saturates Aromatics, Resins,
and
Asphaltenes (SARA analysis) by thin layer
chromatography is accomplished using the
Iatroscan Spectrometer. This technique is very useful in determining how the structures
of asphalt binders are affected by additives and aging.
- The Raman
microscope is used to study the structure of aggregates, fly ash, and other
materials used in concrete production. It is also used to study the formation
of ASR (Alkali Silica Reaction) gels in concrete.
- The X-Ray
Fluorescence spectrometer is used to measure the elemental composition of
materials, in particular aggregates, fly ash, and concrete.
The Materials Characterization Laboratory
contains several microscopes
including a scanning electron microscope with an Energy Dispersive X-ray
Microanalysis (EDAX-ray) fluorescence spectrometer.
These microscopes enable researchers to identify the compositions of highway
related materials and study the morphological properties of polymer modified
asphalt binders.
The Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center (TFHRC) has more than 24
laboratories for research in the following areas: safety; operations,
including intelligent transportation systems; materials technology;
pavements; structures; and human centered systems. The expertise of
TFHRC scientists and engineers covers more than 20
transportation-related disciplines. These laboratories are a vital resource
for advancing this body of knowledge created and nurtured by our
researchers. The Federal Highway Administration's Office of Research,
Development, and Technology operates and manages
TFHRC to conduct innovative research to provide solutions to transportation
problems both nationwide and internationally. TFHRC is located
in McLean, Virginia. Information on TFHRC is available on the Web at www.tfhrc.gov.
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RECENT ACCOMPLISHMENTS
Developed a test method to detect and measure the presence of lime in hot mix asphalt. This method is being
adopted by American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) as a standard procedure.
Developed a simple test method to demonstrate the presence of phosphoric acid in asphalt binders.
Provided technical assistance to a number of State agencies in forensic investigations. These investigations included the use of lime as an antistrip additive, the use of phosphoric acid as an asphalt modifier, and various cases of contaminated binders and aggregates.
CURRENT RESEARCH
- Development of industry guidelines for the use of
phosphoric acid as an asphalt modifier.
- Development of mitigation strategies for aggregates
containing deleterious clays.
- Development of rapid and accurate techniques to identify
aggregates likely to form ASR gels in concrete structures.
- Development of mitigation strategies to prevent the
formation of ASR gels in concrete by the use of appropriate quantities of
additives such as fly ash and ground blast furnace slag.
- Evaluating highway materials to determine their
susceptibility to moisture damage.
- Investigating the mechanisms of oxidation and age
hardening of asphalt binders.
PARTNERSHIPS
Laboratory personnel provide technical representation for the Federal Highway Administration on panels for the National Cooperative Highway Research Program, the National Science Foundation, and the Transportation Research Board task groups. Staff members also serve on oversight work groups
and review papers for the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists and the
Transportation Research Board.
CRF collaborates with
the Western Research Institute in Laramie, Wyoming; the European Bitumen Association, Eurobitume, based
in Belgium; and Technische Universiteit Delft, the technical university based in the Netherlands, as
well as several universities in the United States.
CONTACT
Chemistry Research Facility Manager: Terry Arnold E-mail:
terry.arnold@fhwa.dot.gov
Telephone: (202) 493-3305
PDF version (2.61 MB)
FHWA-HRT-08-059
RELATED RESEARCH
TFHRC Chemistry Laboratory
Back to Laboratory List
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