Design and Construction of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements for Container Terminals

Abstract

Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) is a zero-slump concrete consisting of densegraded aggregate and sand, cementitious materials, and water. Because it contains a relatively small amount of water, it cannot be placed by the same methods used for conventional (slump) concrete. For pavement applications, the concrete is usually placed with an asphalt paver, and densified by compacting with a vibrating roller. The resulting pavement surface is not as smooth as slip-form concrete paving, so a common use of RCC is to construct pavements in industrial areas where traffic speeds are slower and there is a requirement for a tough, durable pavement. The low water-cement ratio (usually ranging from .30 to .40) provides for high strengths. Common design compressive strengths for pavements are in the range of 35 - 55 MPa (5,000 - 8,000 psi) in 28 days. The principal advantages of RCC are derived from the construction process. Construction costs are lower because there is less labor involved in placing the concrete (no formwork or finishing is required), and no reinforcing steel or dowels are used. With the low water-cement ratio there is less paste in the concrete matrix, so there is no bleed water and less shrinkage than in conventional concrete. The dominant role of aggregate in the concrete provides load transfer across control joints and cracks by using aggregate interlock, which eliminates the need for load transfer devices. The use of RCC as a material to construct pavements began in the 1970's in Canada. It was originally used by the logging industry to provide an all-weather platform for unloading logging trucks and storing and sorting logs. In the past 25 years it has gained acceptance as a strong and durable pavement material that can withstand heavy loads and severe climates with little required maintenance.