Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009

AFB80 Session 404AFB80 Session 404January 12, 2009January 12, 2009

Contractor Best PracticesContractor Best Practices

Transportation Research Board

11

H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc.H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc.

Founded in 1946Founded in 1946 Heavy Highway / Site Heavy Highway / Site

DevelopmentDevelopment Licensed in North Carolina, Licensed in North Carolina,

South Carolina, and VirginiaSouth Carolina, and Virginia

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 22

Slope StakesSlope Stakes

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 33

Grade Stakes (Blue Grade Stakes (Blue Tops)Tops)

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 44

Natural GroundNatural Ground

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 55

2-D Rough Grading2-D Rough Grading

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 66

2-D Rough Grading2-D Rough Grading

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 77

3D Rough Grading3D Rough Grading

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 88

Bubba’s Rule of Bubba’s Rule of PrecisionPrecision

Measure it with a micrometerMeasure it with a micrometer

Mark it with chalkMark it with chalk

Cut it with an axeCut it with an axe

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 99

2D Operator View2D Operator View

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1010

2-D Manual Grading2-D Manual Grading

Manual control of machineManual control of machine Quality – skill of operator and checkerQuality – skill of operator and checker Grade along profile between stations?Grade along profile between stations?

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1111

Manual Best PracticesManual Best Practices

Guard stakes adjacent to grade hubsGuard stakes adjacent to grade hubs

Notch or Nail grade and correctionNotch or Nail grade and correction

Visually mark super-elevation Visually mark super-elevation changeschanges

Stay one station ahead of graderStay one station ahead of grader

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1212

String SagString Sag

Can easily “check” out of toleranceCan easily “check” out of tolerance Lower and inconsistent string pullLower and inconsistent string pull Length on multi-lane can exceed 70 ftLength on multi-lane can exceed 70 ft SAG 0.19 ft - Pull 20 lb, String 0.1oz/ftSAG 0.19 ft - Pull 20 lb, String 0.1oz/ft

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009

crown

Maximum SAG

Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1313

Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1414

2.5D Sonic Grading2.5D Sonic Grading

Partial vertical automationPartial vertical automation Changes in super-elevation - manualChanges in super-elevation - manual Grade along profile maintainedGrade along profile maintained

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1515

Sonic Best PracticesSonic Best Practices

Steel pins set at Grade Hubs, add 1 Steel pins set at Grade Hubs, add 1 ftft

String runs 1,000 feet or lessString runs 1,000 feet or less Visually indicate super changesVisually indicate super changes Complete first pass on stringComplete first pass on string Calibrate – Cutting edge & tire Calibrate – Cutting edge & tire

changechange Paint crown and shoulder breaksPaint crown and shoulder breaks

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1616

Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1717

What happens between stations?

SurveyingSurveying

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1818

“thought I was wrong once but I was mistaken”

3D vs Grade Stakes3D vs Grade Stakes

Assume a interstate project 8.3 kmAssume a interstate project 8.3 km Grade Stakes every 20 m (4 per Grade Stakes every 20 m (4 per

station) VS Control Stakes every station) VS Control Stakes every 320 m320 m

1660 Grade Stakes VS 26 Control 1660 Grade Stakes VS 26 Control StakesStakes

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 1919

3D Model3D Model

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2020

3D Operator View3D Operator View

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2121

3D Plan View3D Plan View

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2222

3D Cross Section View3D Cross Section View

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2323

3D Best Practices3D Best Practices

Control - StandardControl - Standard Control – Use itControl – Use it Control - MaintainControl - Maintain

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2424

3D GPS Grading3D GPS Grading

Fully automated vertical controlFully automated vertical control Cross slope changes automatedCross slope changes automated Grade “anywhere”Grade “anywhere”

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2525

GPS Best PracticesGPS Best Practices

Fixed base station locationFixed base station location Site Calibration - CONTROLSite Calibration - CONTROL Check consistency dailyCheck consistency daily Awareness of paper plansAwareness of paper plans

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2626

Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2727

3D Robotic Grading3D Robotic Grading

Highly accurate, robotic locationHighly accurate, robotic location

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2828

Robotic Best PracticesRobotic Best Practices

Grade Control every 1,000 ftGrade Control every 1,000 ft Establish error limits for set-upEstablish error limits for set-up Always measure/update blade Always measure/update blade

wearwear Don’t pretend to be a surveyorDon’t pretend to be a surveyor Level the mast when benchingLevel the mast when benching

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 2929

Quality AssuranceQuality Assurance

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 3030

Need a more advanced string!

Bubba’s Rule ReversedBubba’s Rule Reversed

Cut it with a laserCut it with a laser

Mark it with your Mark it with your thumbthumb

Measure it with a Measure it with a string Forget about string Forget about sag, just cut out the sag, just cut out the crown…crown…

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 3131

ConclusionConclusion

Technology enables quality and Technology enables quality and speedspeed

Best Practices key to higher Best Practices key to higher qualityquality

Quality Assurance slow to adoptQuality Assurance slow to adopt

Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009Contractor Best Practices – H. B. Rowe & Co., Inc. Jan 2009 Session 404 - Page Session 404 - Page 3232