GUIDELINE RECOMMENDATIONS FOR TIMING CONTRACTION JOINT SAWING OF PCC HIGHWAY PAVEMENTS

The timing of contraction joint sawing is essential to avert ravelling at sawcut edges and uncontrolled cracking of concrete pavements. The goals of this study were to determine the 'near' and 'far' joint sawcutting window of opportunity and to evaluate nondestructive testing methods and strength indicators that will assist in determining when sawcutting should be initiated. Sawing tests were made on large-scale concrete slabs with different aggregates and cement contents to determine 'near' sawing strength indicators. Relationships were developed between surface ravelling, sawcut acceptance rating, and compressive strength. Recommended minimum concrete strengths were developed as a function of cement content and aggregate type. Observations of sawcutting and strength development at several highway projects provided comparisons between lab and construction site strength development and sawcut quality, and also between construction site strength development and monitoring of crack development below sawcuts. Restraint axial and curling stresses were also calculated using early-age temperature histories of concrete pavements. Early-age strength properties developed as part of the lab investigation and strengths measured in the field were used with calculated restraint stresses to develop guidelines that can be used to determine the 'far' sawcutting limits of opportunity.

• Corporate Authors:

  Purdue University

  School of Civil Engineering, 550 Stadium Mall Drive
  West Lafeyette, IN  United States  47907
• Authors:
  • Okamoto, P A
  • Nussbaum, P J
  • Smith, K D
• Conference:
  • Fifth International Conference on Concrete Pavement Design and Rehabilitation
  • Location: Purdue University, West Lafayette, Indiana
  • Date: 1993-4-20 to 1993-4-22
• Publication Date: 1993

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 39-52
• Serial:
  • Volume: 2

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Concrete pavements; Conferences; Contraction joints; Highway engineering; Highway transportation; Nondestructive tests; Pavement cracking; Pavement joints; Portland cement concrete; Sawed joints; Stripping (Pavements)
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00821288
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Dec 28 2001 12:00AM