Comparison of response for three different composite pavement sections to environmental loads

Abstract

Composite pavement structures are constructed mainly either as Portland cement concrete (PCC)-over-PCC or hot mix asphalt (HMA)-over-PCC. Several successful in-service projects have been reported in Europe. The design and construction of these sections in the United States, however, still require effort. The current study includes the analysis of the response of three different composite pavement sections to the environmental loads. These sections were constructed in May of 2010 at the Minnesota Road Research Facility. The sections are constructed in three individual cells, Cell 70, a HMA-over-PCC with recycled concrete aggregate (RCA), Cell 71, exposed aggregate concrete (EAC)-over-RCA and Cell 72, EAC-over-economical concrete. All cells were heavily instrumented with thermocouples, moisture sensors, and static and dynamic strain gauges. This study characterises the structural response of HMA-over-PCC pavements and also PCC-over-PCC to the environmental loads.

Keywords:

• Composite pavement
• portland cement concrete
• hot mix asphalt
• curvature

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 for funding this research effort along with Dr Michael Darter, the Principal Investigator of the project and Dr Shree Roa of ARA. Dr Lev Khazanovich of the University of Minnesota was also integral in the completion of this research effort. They would also like to thank Mr Jack Herndon, Mr Leonard Palek and Mr Robert Strommen as well as the many others at the Minnesota Road Research Facility for their effort in the construction and instrumentation of these pavement sections. A special thanks is also extended to Mr Luis Ramirez, who contributed greatly to the instrumentation and data acquisition effort.