Performance of Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement in Arkansas

Abstract

In 2012, Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) pavement was placed on a 2-mile section of a deteriorated roadway in Arkansas. Significant distresses in the area had been experienced as a result of the sharp increase in truck traffic associated with recent natural gas exploration efforts. RCC was chosen for the project because it afforded the ability to significantly increase the roadway’s structural capacity while also minimizing construction time and cost. Although some challenges were met during construction, the final product was considered successful, and the pavement has performed well to date. While the surface has not proven to be as aesthetically pleasing as that of a traditional concrete pavement, the pavement has performed admirably and still exhibits good ride quality. After almost three years, IRI values have remained steady in spite of some surface defects. The primary distresses have been surface issues such as popouts and joint deterioration. The pavement has been subjected to relatively heavy traffic and significant seasonal temperature swings, and some cracking has been noted. This paper provides a detailed description of the project and a comprehensive performance summary to date, including a thorough discussion of the existing distresses.