RIP William "Bill" Edwards

[Hot Rod Hootenanny]

http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/delgazette/obituary.aspx?n=william-edwards-bill&pid=188605917&fhid=27540

While serving as Research Administrator from 1988 to 1997, a research pavement was constructed on U.S. 23 in northern Delaware County where 40 test sections of asphalt and concrete pavement were built for the Strategic Highway Research Program, a national initiative to improve the performance of highway pavements across the country. The Ohio test pavement was unique in that several selected sections were extensively instrumented to monitor climatic conditions at the site, environmental conditions in the pavement sections, and the physical characteristics of individual vehicles passing over the pavement sections. Additional sensors were added to measure the dynamic responses within various material layers of selected sections as test trucks loaded to known weights were driven over the sections at a range of speeds. These controlled tests were performed at various stages of service to monitor changes in pavement response over time and with changing environmental conditions. A team of faculty, staff and students from six universities in Ohio was assembled to install the instrumentation. These data can be used to validate existing pavement design procedures and to develop improved procedures for extending pavement life.