EVALUATION OF EDGE DRAIN PERFORMANCE. FINAL REPORT

Portland cement concrete pavements (PCCP) constructed in California are of the plain jointed design. These PCC pavements generally develop faulting, or step-off, at the transverse joints. However, the magnitude and rate of this faulting varies considerably throughout the state. Faulting, through the pumping process, has been a major factor in slab cracking and subsequent poor pavement performance. Previous Caltran research revealed that the mechanism of pavement faulting is caused by the pumping process. One of the major contributors is surface infiltrated water that has become trapped in the relatively impermeable structural elements. This study presents an evaluation of the effectiveness of edge drains as a method of providing rapid drainage of surface-infiltrated water and thereby delaying or preventing pumping and subsequent faulting. Over a three year period, research indicates that edge drains are very effective in reducing faulting of PCC pavements in California.

• Corporate Authors:

  California Department of Transportation

  Transportation Laboratory
  5900 Folsom Boulevard
  Sacramento, CA  United States  95819

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Wells, G K
• Publication Date: 1985-11

Media Info

• Pagination: 52 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Drains; Faulting; Measures of effectiveness; Portland cement concrete; Prevention; Pumps; Transverse joints
• Uncontrolled Terms: Effectiveness
• Subject Areas: Geotechnology; Highways; Hydraulics and Hydrology; Pavements; Security and Emergencies; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00457028
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Federal Highway Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA/CA/TL-85/15, 54324-633363
• Contract Numbers: F81TL16
• Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Aug 27 2004 9:38PM