The design, construction, and mitigation of a shredded tire embankment that underwent pyrolysis and full combustion are discussed. The embankment was constructed to repair a 45-m-long section of SR-100 near Ilwaco, Washington, after a landslide occurred in native weathered siltstone. Because of foundation soil characteristics and the proximity of environmentally sensitive areas, the roadway was rebuilt using shredded tires as a lightweight embankment material. Construction of the 8-m (maximum depth of shredded tire chips) embankment went smoothly. Less than 2 months after completion, however, unusual asphalt cracking, odors, and steam were observed in the embankment. The steam and elevated surface temperature readings suggested pyrolysis or combustion of shredded tire chips. Weekly monitoring and sampling were conducted while mitigation options were evaluated. Less than 4 months following construction, an oily substance was observed in the water seeping from the drainage blanket underlying the embankment. The oil was immediately contained using booms, sumps, and a containment berm. Because exposure to oxygen could cause a flare-up, several in situ cooling methods were evaluated to minimize oxygenation of the material. Because of environmental and logistical concerns, excavation and water immersion of shredded tire chips was deemed the preferred mitigation measure. If using shredded tire chips as an embankment material is to be continued, it will be necessary to identify factors contributing to the pyrolysis/combustion so that preventive design criteria can be developed, and methods for remediating pyrolysis and combustion problems should they arise.


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    Title :

    Field Performance and Mitigation of Shredded Tire Embankment


    Additional title:

    Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board


    Contributors:
    Gacke, Steve (author) / Lee, Melany (author) / Boyd, Nancy (author)


    Publication date :

    1997-01-01




    Type of media :

    Article (Journal)


    Type of material :

    Electronic Resource


    Language :

    English




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