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U.S. Department of Energy
Office of Scientific and Technical Information

Ash utilization in highways: Delaware demonstration project

Technical Report ·
OSTI ID:5906411

This report documents the design, preconstruction laboratory testing, construction and performance monitoring of a fly ash embankment constructed within a new interchange for an Interstate highway in Delaware. Data presented in this interim report indicates that fly ash fill is comparable to granular borrow material from an engineering standpoint, and that the preliminary groundwater quality monitoring results have indicated no adverse impact on water quality. In this project, fly ash was used for the construction of two of the six new interchange ramps in the Interstate 495 project connecting Edgemoor Road with the highway northeast of Wilmington, Delaware. These ramps were constructed during June 1987. This report presents the details of the preconstruction testing, construction and interim groundwater monitoring activities. Approximately 8000 tons of fly ash were delivered to the project site from moisture controlled stockpiles. All fly ash was able to meet or exceed DEL DOT compaction requirements. At no time during the construction of the fly ash fill was there any problems with dusting. Four groundwater monitoring wells were installed in the vicinity of the site in January 1987, and quarterly samples obtained and analyzed to determine effects on groundwater quality. This interim monitoring data confirms that fly ash is an environmentally acceptable alternative to natural soil when used in a highway embankment. 13 refs., 62 figs., 30 tabs.

Research Organization:
Electric Power Research Inst., Palo Alto, CA (USA); Delmarva Power and Light Co., Wilmington, DE (USA)
OSTI ID:
5906411
Report Number(s):
EPRI-GS-6481
Country of Publication:
United States
Language:
English