PRESTRESSED PAVEMENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT

This report describes the installation of the first full-scale prestressed concrete pavement in Pennsylvania. A detailed account of the construction and placement methods used and pertinent cost data are included. The purpose of this project was to employ pavement prestressing techniques on a production basis. A variety of construction problems encountered provided valuable experience as to what can be expected on future projects of this nature. Some 23 post-tensioned slabs were placed on the main line, each with a nominal length of 600 ft (183 m). The concrete was placed with a slipform paver that also guided the prestressing strands into the pavement by feeding them through metal tubes on the paving equipment. A unique method was used to construct the joints where the slabs meet. During paving, a 3-ft (0.9-m) jacking space was provided between slabs. This space was later filled with concrete, which was prestressed by transferring the load from the strand anchors through the joint concrete. The slab ends were keyed together with an interlocking beam system to prevent faulting at the joints. Paving work was completed in December 1973. The riding quality over the pavement joints is rated as excellent. The joints are functioning well and are providing for slab length changes caused by temperature variations. The project is being closely observed and its seviceabilty will be documented in future reports.

• Record URL:
  • http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1975/535/535-006.pdf
• Summary URL:
  • http://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=PRESTRESSED+PAVEMENT+DEMONSTRATION+PROJECT&author=R.+Brunner&publication_year=1975
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/03611981
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Publication of this paper sponsored by Committee on Rigid Pavement Construction. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved.
• Authors:
  • Brunner, Raymond J
• Conference:
  • 54th Annual Meeting of the Transportation Research Board
  • Location: Washington District of Columbia
  • Date: 1975-1-13 to 1975-1-17
• Publication Date: 1975

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Figures; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 62-72
• Monograph Title: Concrete pavement construction and joints and loader-truck production studies
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 535
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Costs; Demonstration projects; Joints; Pavement performance; Paving; Prestressing; Riding qualities; Serviceability; Slip form paving
• Old TRIS Terms: Joint
• Subject Areas: Design; Finance; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00099911
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309023866
• Files: TRIS, TRB
• Created Date: Nov 5 1975 12:00AM