Development Of Precast Prestressed Concrete Pavement Technology

The general objectives of this research are to (1) investigate and analyze the current state- of-the-art, (2) examine and possibly improve the current design features, (3) perform structural analysis to evaluate pavement performance and limitations, (4) conduct laboratory tests to examine and verify proposed improvements and analysis results, (5) investigate means to make precast pavement more durable and economical.

This report from the second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2), which is administered by the Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, provides guidance on the design, fabrication, construction, and maintenance of precast concrete pavement (PCP) systems. It includes an assessment of the state of the practice for PCP technology as well as guidelines for pavement selection, the decision-making process, and model specifications for PCP systems.

This TechBrief describes the application of precast prestressed concrete pavement for new construction and for rehabilitation of existing asphalt and concrete pavements. The background of the development of precast prestressed pavement technology is briefly summarized. The details of several field trials of this innovative technology are presented, and recommendations for ensuring successful precast prestressed concrete pavement installation are provided.

"TRB's second Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP 2) Report S2-R05-RR-1: Precast Concrete Pavement Technology reviews the available precast concrete pavement (PCP) systems; summarizes PCP applications; and offers suggested guidelines for the design, fabrication, installation, and selection of PCP systems. " -- Publisher's description.

"This publication is a combination of four documents on the use of precast concrete pavement systems (PCPS) and constitutes a state of the art report on this topic. The documents were developed through a cooperative agreement between the Precast/Prestressed Concrete Institute, PCI and the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). The topics include: Applications for Precast Concrete Pavements, Design and Maintenance of Precast Concrete Pavements, Manufacture of Precast Concrete Pavement Panels and Construction of Precast Concrete Pavement."--Publisher's website.

Design investigations and limited testing of model and prototype slabs indicate that prestressed pavements permit a more efficient use of construction materials in terms of required pavement thickness. Prestressed pavements can be designed with fewer joints and with less probability of cracking than conventional rigid pavements, thereby promising extended pavement life and reduced maintenance requirements. Information relative to the design and construction of prestressed concrete pavements is presented. Recommendations are developed on planning, design, and areas of engineering investigation and research. Minimum tests are recommended for experimental highway pavements. Design variables are discussed with factors affecting design.

This project is a national effort to support the implementation of products developed under the recently completed Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP2) Project R05 on Precast Concrete Pavement Technology. Managed by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) through partnership with the American Association of Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the goals of this project are to accelerate the implementation of PCP technology for rapid repair and rehabilitation of the nation's highway system, thereby reducing construction related congestion, improve safety, lower life cycle costs, improve performance of repair and rehabilitation treatments, and foster innovation.

Many countries are exploring the use of concrete to improve the reliability of their road networks. However, many developers, agencies, and companies in the construction industry do not yet have sufficient experience in the use of concrete pavement. This can lead to poorly planned, supervised, or executed infrastructure that requires premature and costly repairs or maintenance. This guide explains the factors to investigate and considerations to evaluate as well as the potential risks and mistakes to avoid when planning and constructing concrete pavement. It is a comprehensive resource that will be especially useful for stakeholders in developing countries.

This report documents the construction of a precast prestressed concrete pavement demonstration project on Interstate 10 in El Monte, California. This work was conducted under a new effort by the Federal Highway Administration to further evaluate and refine precast prestressed pavement technology through the construction of additional demonstration projects. All aspects of the California demonstration project are presented, including the design, panel fabrication, pavement construction, and instrumentation and monitoring. An evaluation of each of these aspects is also discussed. This project represents the first of three demonstration projects to be constructed under this effort.

The report describes the history of prestressed concrete pavements, and the features of prestressed concrete pavements constructed in various parts of the world, prestressing methods used on different projects, joint details used on various projects, particularly for those built in the U.S., information on performance, load tests and measurements on prestressed concrete pavements, methods used for designing prestressed concrete pavements, and properties of materials used for prestressed concrete pavements. The report includes a glossary of terms related to prestressed concrete pavements and a comprehensive bibliography.