WHISPER CONCRETE - THE UK CONSTRUCTION TRIALS

The exposed aggregate construction technique was first used in Belgium over twenty years ago to texture concrete roads to achieve low noise concrete running surfaces, now modified and improved to suit UK conditions and specifications. Now commonly known as "whisper concrete" this concrete surface has been the subject of two full scale construction trials undertaken by the Highways Agency (formerly DoT). The first, on the M18 in Humberside, was constructed in 1993. TRL conducted the noise and skidding resistance tests. The paper demonstrates how the low noise level of the exposed aggregate surface was achieved whilst maintaining a satisfactory high speed skidding performance. A second, longer section of exposed aggregate concrete was paved in late 1994 as part of the A564 Foston-Hatton-Hilton Bypass, near Derby. This surface will be tested by TRL three months after the road opens to traffic. The paper examines the background to the trials and their national importance. The differences between UK requirements and those elsewhere in Europe are explained and the construction methods used on both contracts are detailed. The preliminary results are discussed and the future for this method of paving is considered. For the covering abstract see IRRD 877985.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0860502872
• Corporate Authors:

  PTRC Education and Research Services Limited

  Glenthorne House, Hammersmith Grove
  London W6OL9,   England 
• Authors:
  • JONES, D P
• Conference:
  • ROADS PROVISION AND OPERATION. PROCEEDINGS OF SEMINAR K HELD AT THE 23RD EUROPEAN TRANSPORT FORUM, UNIVERSITY OF WARWICK, ENGLAND, SEPTEMBER 11-15, 1995. VOLUME P397
• Publication Date: 1995

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: p. 107-14

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete; Conferences; Noise; Permeability; Rigid pavements; Skid resistance; Texture
• Geographic Terms: United Kingdom
• ITRD Terms: 4755: Concrete; 8525: Conference; 2492: Noise; 5921: Permeability; 2964: Rigid pavement; 3031: Skid resistance; 3053: Surface texture; 8119: United Kingdom
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Environment; Highways;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00723107
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: Transport Research Laboratory
• ISBN: 0-86050-287-2
• Files: ITRD
• Created Date: Jul 26 1996 12:00AM