A BYU student was awarded a $20,000 prize from the Portland Cement Association for doing research in determining the stiffness of cement-base in road systems.

Ben Reese, a graduate student in the civil and environmental engineering department at BYU, was one of eight graduate students nationwide presented the PCA Education Foundation 2007 Research Fellows award in Chicago this fall.

Reese's work on the cement-treated base layers in road systems was groundbreaking. His research created a procedure that determines when the cement layer is stiff enough for machines to drive on to apply the asphalt layer.

"We were able to obtain a threshold after which the cement base will not rut," Reese said.

Reese worked extensively as project manager in Idaho, Georgia and Texas during his research. He said leaving his wife and child behind was difficult, but necessary to complete his research.

Reese's research found a threshold with the use of a portable heavy Clegg impact soil tester, which drops a heavy weight onto the cement-treated base.

The Clegg then measures the stiffness of the base to determine if it is ready for the asphalt layer.

Professor Spencer Guthrie, Reese's mentor, said there is a difference between concrete and cement.

"Cement is just one element in concrete; it's a powder that can also be mixed in lower quantities with crushed stone base materials to improve their stiffness," Guthrie said. "The strength of cement-treated base is one-tenth that of concrete."

Until now, the only procedure to determine the stiffness of the cement base was to wait seven days for the cement to dry, which can waste valuable time and money.

Guthrie said the average weekly user cost for road closures due to construction in Utah can approach $600,000 in some areas.

He said Reese's test will significantly cut construction project costs because the stiffness of the base layer is determined faster.

"By avoiding the full waiting period the implementation of this test will save tens of thousands of dollars," Guthrie said.

Professor Guthrie was the official mentor for the project. He attended the award ceremony in Chicago this fall. Guthrie spoke highly of Reese's qualities.

"Ben is a natural leader and very meticulous and creative," Guthrie said. "He can also communicate effectively with contractors, which is very useful."

Reese said the experience has opened up many doors for him. He said it was invaluable.

"This has been an unparalleled experience for me," Reese said. "It has been a maturing experience."

Copyright Brigham Young University 16 Oct 2007