National Concrete Pavement Technology Center

Project description

The main objective of this study is to provide guidance on the selection of concrete slab thickness required to achieve long term performance considering the effect of slab dimensions, concrete slab support, and climatic conditions on critical stresses. The study will include proposed changes to the design, construction, and material procedures/specifications that, if adopted and implemented, will significantly increase portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement lifetimes and reduce maintenance costs. Although concrete pavement has shown its evidence for a long last time in service, sometimes it still experiences functional failure and premature failure. The Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has conducted extensive research focused on improving concrete pavement performance. The rigid pavement design procedure in the 1993 American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Guide for the Design of Pavement Structures, in which a slab thickness can be selected and will result a great improvement in concrete terminal serviceability, is a good example of improving concrete pavement performance. However, other factors also play a major role in concrete pavement performance.