Experimental Study on Correlation Analysis of Air-void, Air-spacing factor and Long-term Durability for Roller-compacted Concrete pavement

Abstract

PURPOSES : The use of roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is an environmentally friendly method of construction that utilizes the aggregate interlock effect by means of a hydration reaction and roller compacting, demonstrating a superb structural performance with a relatively small unit water content and unit cement content. However, even if an excellent structural performance was secured through a previous study, the verification research on the environmental load and long-term durability was conducted under unsatisfactory conditions. In order to secure longterm durability, the construction of an appropriate internal air-void structure is required. In this study, a method of improving the long-term durability of RCCP will be suggested by analyzing the internal air-void structure and relevant durability of roller-compacted concrete. METHODS : The method of improving the long-term durability involves measurements of the air content, air voids, and air-spacing factor in RCCP that experiences a change in terms of the kind of air-entraining agent and chemical admixture proportions. This test should be conducted on the basis of test criteria such as ASTM C 457, 672, and KS F 2456. RESULTS : Freezing, thawing, and scaling resistance tests of roller compacted concrete without a chemical admixture showed that it was weak. However, as a result of conducting air entraining (AE) with an AE agent, a large amount of air was distributed with a range of 2~3%, and an air void spacing factor ranging from 200 to (close to ) coming from PCA was secured. Accordingly, the freezing and thawing resistance was improved, with a relative dynamic elastic modulus of more than 80%, and the scaling resistance was improved under the appropriate AE agent content rate. CONCLUSIONS : The long-term durability of RCCP has a direct relationship with the air-void spacing factor, and it can be secured only by ensuring the air void spacing factor through air entraining with the inclusion of an AE agent.