CONCRETE PAVEMENTS FOR PORT AREAS IN BELGIUM EXPERIENCE AND INNOVATIONS

Abstract

The growing transport by trucks and the increasing use of containers have created an important need for durable pave­ments with very low maintenance cost. The Belgian port authorities and many operators prefer to use concrete pavements for port areas, as well monolithic concrete slabs (cast in situ) as concrete blocks. Since 1980, in the port areas of Antwerp, Zeebrugge and Ghent more than 2.5 million m2 container terminals have been paved with concrete. The paper reviews briefly the Belgian experience and innova­tions with different types of concrete pavements for heavy-duty applications. Finally some design recommendations are presen­ted.