AN INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE IN A HEAVILY-TRAFFICKED, HIGH-SPEED APPLICATION IN AUSTRALIA

Abstract

This paper describes a trial of roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement in a high-speed traffic application in Melbourne, Australia. The trial was unique because the use of RCC has been generally confined to low-speed, heavy duty applications because of the perceived difficulties in constructing it to a sufficiently high rideability standard when used as a wearing surface in high-speed applications. The construction of the pavement and problems encountered during construction are described, together with the results of acceptance testing and other tests conducted on the mix. The results of an evaluation of the characteristics of the pavement surface since 1988 are described in detail, including skid resistance, surface texture, roughness, joint and crack movement and the development of surface cracking. Changes made to the materials and construction specifications as a result of the trial, especially with respect to compressive strength, moisture content and construction techniques, are reported.