Cost-effective joints configurations of concrete pavements for a sustainable infrastructure

Mauricio Pradena,Lambert Houben

doi:10.1590/2238-1031.jtl.v9n2a9

Mauricio Pradena, Lambert Houben

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1590/2238-1031.jtl.v9n2a9

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Abstract

Keywords: pavements concrete joints sustainable infrastructure Nowadays, there are Concrete Pavements (CPs) with Joints Configurations (JCs) that reduce initial costs about 20%. But are these JCs produced by Early-Entry Saw-Cutting (EESC), Unsealed Joints (UJs) and Shorter Joint Spacing (ShJS) able to maintain the traditional performance of CPs? The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of the joints behaviour (JB) on the performance of CPs with these JCs. The JB is characterized by joints activation, opening, deterioration and Load Transfer Efficiency (LTE), not in an isolated but in a comprehensive way to determine not only the complete JB, but their effects on the CPs performance, so upon the users. The paper contributes not only with a comprehensive analysis of the innovative JCs, but also with new field experiences, that allow concluding the JCs can maintain or even improve the traditional performance of CPs if the saw-cutting depth ≥ 30% to assure 100% joints activation, joints opening ≤ 1.2 mm, so LTE ≥ 70%. UJs with thin blade (≤ 3 mm) and limited fines in the base can be used in CPs applications as streets, low volume roads, parking lots, bus corridors (moderate rainfall) and any CP where the seals do not work well.

Highlights

The objective of this article is to analyze the effects of the Joints Behaviour (JB) on the performance of Concrete Pavements (CPs) with Joints Configurations (JCs) produced by Early-Entry Saw-Cutting (EESC), Unsealed Joints (UJs) and Shorter Joint Spacing (ShJS)
All studies of the literature review regarding to the evaluation of EESC referred to traditional Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs), but not to JPCPs with ShJS (Pradena and Houben, 2014b)
Even an extrapolation to more exigent cases could be possible with stricter specifications for saw-cuts, base fines content (≤ 6%) and the use of JPCPs with ShJS to obtain smaller joint openings

Summary

Introduction

The objective of this article is to analyze the effects of the Joints Behaviour (JB) on the performance of Concrete Pavements (CPs) with Joints Configurations (JCs) produced by Early-Entry Saw-Cutting (EESC), Unsealed Joints (UJs) and Shorter Joint Spacing (ShJS). This paper deals with the question if the innovative JCs are able to maintain the favourable traditional life-cycle performance of CPs. EESC consists of a shallow cut (up to 30 mm depth) that allows cut the joints 3-5 hours after concrete placement (McGovern, 2002). A report of the Illinois Center for Transportation recommends, before a general adoption, a Phase II study to evaluate the long-term performance of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs) with EESC, under more unfavourable conditions than Phase I study (Krstulovich et al, 2011). In a research of the Louisiana Transportation Research Center, the joints created by EESC needed to be sawn deeper because the slow joint activation (Rasoulian et al, 2005)

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