National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

Deterioration, such as scaling of concrete sidewalks, is one of the most urgent challenges that need to be tackled. There are currently extensive knowledge gaps in developing durable concrete. MassDOT is seeking to improve the durability of concrete sidewalks under extreme weather conditions in Massachusetts to reduce the maintenance and reconstruction costs. Specifically the project will achieve the following: (1) Research proper concrete sidewalk workmanship for sidewalks placed under hot weather conditions. (2) Determine whether curing/sealing compounds can replace moist curing to enable faster placement and return to use. (3) Determine if penetrating sealers are effective at limiting chloride penetration from commercially available chemical deicers. (4) Perform extensive testing on fresh and hardened concrete to identify processes responsible for concrete deterioration. (5) Document the performance of sidewalks through detailed visual and photographic inspection to support lab testing. (6) Perform hardened concrete testing using petrographic methods and chloride ingress testing to identify conditions that may lead to observed degradation in the field.