Minnesota Transportation Research Collaboration Website

Idea Submitted by:

Glenn Engstrom

List your MnDOT Office,District,City, County, Univ. or Other:

MnDOT Office of Materials

Idea Champion - Who at MnDOT/LRRB? :

Glenn Engstrom

Why is this a priority for the State/County/City? : Value as a capillary action barrier: Studies have shown that a layer of shredded tires can perform as a drainage layer and in addition, effectively cutoff capillary flow to the other layers overhead. We need additional guidance on the thickness of this drainage layer, its position in the cross-section and the optimal gradation/size of the shreds. Insulating value: The insulating value of a layer of tire shreds can be used to reduce the required sub-cut depth and the overall depth of the frost free zone. We need additional guidance on the thickness of this layer, its position in the cross-section and the optimal gradation/size of the shreds. Use as an aggregate substitute: The use of tire shreds has been used as an “aggregate substitute” on non-MnDOT roads. This practice should be reviewed to see if it provides an engineering benefit to the overall roadway design. Value of encapsulation with a geotextile: MnDOT currently requires that tire shreds used in a lightweight fill be encapsulated in a geotextile. Its purpose is to eliminate the migration of the surrounding material into the tire shreds and make it easier to remove the material at a future date. The value of installing the geotextile should be reviewed. Structural design value: The structural effect on the pavement design for all the items listed above needs to be reviewed. Studies have shown larger than normal surface deflections will lead to premature failures of the pavement.

Project Type - MnDOT or LRRB / Research, Implementation or TRS:

Transportation Research Synthesis (TRS)

Idea Status (moderator):

Develop TRS request form