Evaluation of Premature PCCP Longitudinal Cracking in Colorado

This report presents an evaluation of several portland cement concrete pavements with premature longitudinal cracking. All of the locations discussed are in Region 1 of the Colorado Department of Transportation. Included in this report is an overview of the causes of the premature longitudinal cracking, a description of field and laboratory investigations, and a list of strategies to eliminate such occurrences. Although there were some isolated cases of differential settlements related to the high swell potential (high PI/lower R-value) of the subgrade soil and/or poor subgrade compaction, this study found the shallow depth of the longitudinal saw-cuts at the shoulder joint to be the main reason for longitudinal cracking. Malfunctioning paver vibrators and unsuitable soils also contributed to the problem. The tests also proved that the wider slab design (14-ft slab) was not a contributing factor. This study resulted in two new specifications: (1) Requiring the engineer to measure saw-cut depth at intervals of 1 per 1/10 of a mile (528 ft); and (2) Requiring paving contractors to equip their paving machines with vibrator monitoring devices.

• Record URL:
  • https://oitco.hylandcloud.com/cdotrmpop/docpop/docpop.aspx?clienttype=activex&docid=19306531
• 
• Record URL:
  • https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/93375
• Corporate Authors:

  Colorado Department of Transportation

  4201 E Arkansas Avenue
  Denver, CO  United States  80222

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Ardani, A
  • Hussain, S
  • LaForce, R
• Publication Date: 2003-1

Language

• English

Media Info

• Pagination: 44 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Field tests; Laboratory tests; Longitudinal cracking; Monitoring; Pavement cracking; Pavers; Sawed joints; Specifications; Vibration
• Uncontrolled Terms: Saw-cut depth
• Geographic Terms: Colorado
• Subject Areas: Construction; Highways; Pavements; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I52: Construction of Pavements and Surfacings;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00941330
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: CDOT-DTD-R-2003-1,, Final Report
• Files: NTL, TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Apr 11 2003 12:00AM