msmac3D used in CALTRANS Research Project

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MSI
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msmac3D used in CALTRANS Research Project

Post by MSI »

A year or so ago a research project funded by Caltrans DRSI (Division of Research, Innovation and System Innovation)
included use of the msmac3D program by researchers to look at:
  • Safety of Earthen Stormwater Infiltration Best Management Practices (BMP) Adjacent to Highways
    Caltrans aims to update its design guidance, tools, and specifications for the stormwater BMPs to comply with both the new permit and traffic safety goal.
    • WHAT ARE WE DOING?
      • The research team will develop a set of scientific-based parameters, protocols, and/or tool(s) that can be applied to design or analyze different scenarios for the clear recovery zone (CRZ) to meet stormwater BMPs and provide for acceptable traffic safety. The design methodology will be applicable to the range of crosssections employed by Caltrans, as well as the soils that exist in California. The resulting guide will allow engineers to determine if the BMPs currently cause soft shoulders, CRZ issues, traversability issues, or rutting to a degree that there exist traffic safety issues which calls for an appropriate BMP design that does not compromise traffic safety.
        This study will determine if there is an acceptable setback from the edge of pavement to which this type of soil modification can be implemented. The WHAT IS THE BENEFIT? Notes The ultimate benefit from this research and the computer simulations will be used to quantify the current safety of Caltrans roadside soil procedures; and compare it with the safety of roadsides that incorporate BMP strategies. This comparison will include both material and geometrical factors. The results from the computer simulations will be articulated around an Excel (or other equivalent form convenient for Caltrans deployment) design and analysis tool.
      WHAT IS OUR GOAL?
      • The goal of the research team is to integrate soil deformation models into simulations of vehicle dynamic response with site specific cross-sectional details and predictions of infiltration rates for various best management strategies. The research team will simulate a systematic series of scenarios with different cross-sections and BMPs, and then evaluate to develop a user-friendly design guide in the form of an Excel spreadsheet or other compatible form.
      WHAT IS THE BENEFIT?
      • The ultimate benefit from this research and the resulting design guidance tool will be substantial. Providing a guide that allows engineers to ensure appropriate safety conditions exist in the right of way for a given amendment strategy will benefit engineers and Caltrans as a whole, by ensuring that the roadside design strategy maximizes infiltration rate and provides a safe and easy way for maintenance.
Here's a link to a Research Notes flyer information on the Design Project
  • MARCH 2021
    Project Title: Safety of Earthen Stormwater Infiltration Best Management Practices (BMP) Adjacent to Highway
    Task Number: 2896
    Start Date: February 1, 2018
    Task Manager: Completion Date: September 30, 2020
    Akber Ali Transportation Engineer (Civil) akber.ali@dot.ca.gov
Once the final report is published we will post up a link