Investigative Asphaltic Concrete Design Using Coal-Fired Power Plant Bottom Ash

A major concern for coal-fired power plants throughout the nation is disposal of bottom ash. This by- product of coal combustion is produced in large quantities and disposal is costly. Presently bottom ash is disposed of in landfills throughout the nation. Landfilling is not an efficient and environmentally feasible method of disposal. Phase I - Laboratory research utilizing bottom ash as a fine aggregate in asphaltic concrete has previously been conducted indicating excellent long-term stability, durability and constructability of asphaltic concrete using locally produced bottom ash. All Phase I goals and objectives were met. The proposed program is directed at demonstrating the feasibility of using bottom ash as a fine aggregate in an asphaltic concrete pavement under actual environmental and traffic loading conditions. The projected location of the pavement is an urban street supplied by a local municipality. Utilization of bottom ash as fine aggregate is particularly important in northeastern Wyoming where suitable aggregates for all types of pavements must be transported a minimum of 80 miles for quarries. The transport of this material is costly which limits pavement maintenance and new road construction for rural isolated communities. Bottom ash is produced locally providing a much needed aggregate source.