Title: EARLY EVALUATION OF LTPP SPECIFIC PAVEMENT STUDIES-2 IN COLORADO
Abstract: This report presents the early results of the Specific Pavement Studies-2 (SPS-2) experiment, Strategic Study of Structural Factors for Rigid Pavements documenting construction details of 13 different test sections with varying structural characteristics. The SPS-2 experiment was developed as a coordinated national experiment to address the effects of various strategic environmental and structural factors on the performance of rigid pavements. The factors studied under this experiment included concrete thickness, concrete strength, base type, lane width, drainage and environmental factors such as temperature, moisture and soil type. Pavement thicknesses were constructed at 8 and 11 in. (20 and 28 cm). Alternate base types included permeable asphalt-treated base (PATB), lean concrete base (LCB), and dense-graded aggregate base (DGAB). Certain sections included a widened 14-ft (4.3-m) slab in addition to the standard 12-ft (3.7-m) width. Specific sections included the construction of pavement edge drains, while the remainder did not. Specific sections were constructed using high- and low-strength concrete mixes to provide a difference in performance as a paving material. This paper discusses the performance of these test sections after being in service for four years. The results are based on monitoring data collected by the Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) Program. The monitoring data includes deflection data collected by a falling weight deflectometer, profile data collected by a profilometer, friction data using the ASTM E 274 procedure and manually collected distress data. Based on the early results of the SPS-2 experiment and a supplemental study conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation (CDOT), the use of 14-ft (4.3-m) slabs is highly recommended. The results of this study revealed that wider slabs improved the load-carrying capacity of the outside lane by keeping the trucks away from the longitudinal joint at the shoulder. Structurally speaking, their contributions were found to be equivalent to 1 in. (2.54 cm) of slab thickness. The 14-ft (4.3-m) slab is now an option for CDOT designers, primarily in a rural setting.
Publication Year: 2000
Publication Date: 2000-03-01
Language: en
Type: article
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