PERFORMANCE OF CONTINUOUSLY REINFORCED CONCRETE PAVEMENTS IN THE LTPP PROGRAM

Abstract

Since the 1960’s, thousands of miles of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) have been built in the U.S. These pavements have typically provided 20 or more years of service life without requiring major rehabilitation. Design procedures of CRCP have evolved over time. The thickness design is typically based on the design procedures for jointed concrete pavements, with many agencies using slightly lower thickness than those determined for comparable jointed concrete pavements. The design for the continuous longitudinal steel is based on meeting the requirements of three criteria related to crack spacing, crack width and concrete strength. Over the last 10 years the performance of eighty-five CRCP sections throughout the US has been monitored as part of the GPS-5 experiment of the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. The age of these sections range from about 5 to about 34 years and the thickness of the sections are primarily 203 to 254 mm. Most of the sections incorporate about 0.60% of steel. This paper provides the results of a study conducted to evaluate the performance of these sections. Key features of the sections are detailed and the performance trends, in terms of observed distresses, ride, and structural testing, are discussed. Finally, the results of the analysis of well performing CRCP sections are presented. Study results indicate that most of the CRCP sections of the GPS-5 experiment in the LTPP program are performing very well. These sections do not exhibit significant amount of distresses 7th International Conference on Concrete Pavements – Orlando, Florida, USA – September 9-13, 2001 even after more than 20 years of service. The ride quality of these sections does not appear to deteriorate with time/traffic loading. Sections constructed smooth remain smooth.