Life Cycle Cost Assessment of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC) Precast Pavement in Singapore

Abstract

Heavier trafficked road network in Singapore leads to some concerns about extended road closure during rigid pavement maintenance/rehabilitation process. A quicker pavement repair method using precast panels is potentially good alternative. This paper focuses on the life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) of a proposed precast concrete pavement (PCP) made of Engineered Cementitious Composite (ECC). A precast slab 5.0m x 3.6m x 0.22m is proposed as an alternative for maintenance and rehabilitation of Singapore rigid pavement. With the help of finite element method, this proposed slab is proved to withstand well construction load and has a lifetime of at least 40 years in Singapore heavy traffic condition. User delay cost due to lane closure, one of the key components of LCCA, is estimated with the help of the state of the art microscopic simulation tool for a selected case study area in Singapore. The LCC results show that initial cost contributes mainly on the total cost of ECC PCP whereas user cost is the most significant component in LCC of cast-in-place concrete pavement. ECC PCP can be a very economical solution in term of LCC for concrete pavement rehabilitation and maintenance depends on construction site locations and traffic volume.