Mark C Safford

"Results from this report indicate that minor subgrade treatment often is not sufficient to prevent post-construction swelling."--Abstract

The swelling characteristic of Mancos Shale in Western Colorado has caused a great deal of maintenance problems ever since highways were paved. In an attempt to find a method to reduce or prevent this swelling, 19 test sections were included in a contract on IInterstate 70 near Grand Junction. After eight years of evaluation it has been concluded that Asphalt membranes on top of the subgrade and subexcavation and backfilling with an A-4 soil are good...