Slipform Pavers Prove Their Versatility

Abstract

Slipform pavers were developed in Iowa to pave thin 6-in. (150-mm) concrete pavements just 10-ft (3-m) wide for country farm-to-market roads. Since the first mile of road was built in 1949, slipform paving techniques and equipment have revolutionized concrete paving. In recent years, slipform pavers have placed pavements up to 50-ft (15.2-m) wide, slab thicknesses up to 20-in. (510-mm), and have made record production runs of up to 16,000 cu yd (12,200 cu m) of concrete in one working day, or over 4 miles (6.5-km) of two-lane pavement. On a high-speed test track project, a slipform paver placed a 47-ft (14.3-m) wide slab with superelevation designed for 140-mph (225-km/h) speeds on the semicircular end sections. Slipform pavers have also been used to construct curb and gutter sections, concrete median barriers, bicycle paths, railroad slabs for supporting rails, and concrete guideways for personal rapid transit systems.