Concrete Pavement Type Selection and Design Features

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SESSION 2

• Concrete Pavement Type Selection and Design
  Features

2
Objectives

• Identify concrete pavement types
• Recognize considerations in type selection
• List concrete pavement design features and
  recognize their beneficial effects

3
Concrete Pavement Types

• Jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP)
• Jointed reinforced concrete pavements (JRCP)
• Continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP)

4
JPCP
3.7 to 6.1 m (typ.) (12 to 20 ft)
3.7 to 6.1 m (typ.) (12 to 20 ft)
PLAN VIEW
Longitudinal Joint (with tiebars)
Transverse Joints (with or without dowels)
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JPCP
6
JRCP
PLAN VIEW
7.6 to 18.3 m (typ) (25 to 60 ft)
Welded Wire Fabric Reinforcing
Transverse Joints (with dowels)
Longitudinal Joint (with tiebars)
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JRCP
8
CRCP
PLAN VIEW
Continuous Longitudinal Reinforcement (Deformed
Bars)
Typical Crack Spacing (0.9 to 2.4 m) (3 to 8 ft)
Longitudinal Joint (with tiebars)
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CRCP
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Pavement Type Factoids

• JPCP is the most common concrete pavement
  constructed today
• JRCP was widely constructed in 1960s and 1970s
• CRCP is constructed by a few agencies, often on
  high-volume, urban roadways

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Considerations in Selection

• Traffic levels
• Subgrade
• Climate
• Initial construction and life-cycle costs
• Service life
• Future maintenance/rehabilitation
• Reliability
• Contractor experience
• Local experience/past performance

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Pavement Characteristics

• Reliable design
• Applicable in all locations

• Increased joint cost
• Increased joint maintenance

JPCP

• Fewer joints
• Less concern about random cracking

• Joint deterioration
• Crack deterioration

JRCP

• No transverse joints
• Smooth riding
• Long service life
• Low maintenance

• High initial cost
• Rehab is difficult

CRCP
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NCHRP 1-32 Pavement Type Selection Guidelines
Doweled JPCP Doweled JRCP CRCP
Undoweled or Doweled JPCP Doweled JRCP CRCP
3.0-6.0
1.5-3.0
Undoweled or Doweled JPCP Doweled JRCP
1.5
Undoweled JPCP
0 5 10
15 20
ESALs, millions
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Design Features

• Design elements contributing to performance
• Key design features (European researchers)
• Nonerodible base course
• Positive drainage
• Strengthened structure (thick slab, doweled
  joints, or CRCP)
• Slab stress relieving features (widened slabs,
  trapezoidal cross section)

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Relative Effect of Design Features on JPCP
Performance

• Initial smoothness
• Load transfer
• Subdrainage
• Base type
• Slab widening
• Joint spacing
• Slab thickness
• Slab modulus/strength

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Summary

• Concrete pavement types
• Considerations and selection
• Design features