Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement Research Articles

Development of a Fatigue Damage Model for Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement Based on In Situ Saw-Cut Beams and Accelerated Pavement Performance

As a durable, economical, and low-maintenance concrete material, roller compacted concrete (RCC) is steadily becoming the preferred choice for many pavement applications. However, the fatigue models in current pavement thickness design procedures have generally been found to over-predict the RCC pavement fatigue damage under in situ heavy truck loading. In this study, a comprehensive beam fatigue test experiment was performed using field saw-cut RCC slab samples from two full-scale accelerated pavement testing (APT) sections to investigate the fatigue behavior of in situ RCC pavements. This is the first research study to investigate the fatigue behavior of field RCC beam samples prepared and constructed with a high-density asphalt-type paver and a vibratory roller. The results indicate that a well-compacted RCC pavement can achieve higher flexural strength and exhibit better fatigue life than conventional concrete pavement. Based on the beam fatigue test results and in situ fatigue performance of APT test sections, an RCC fatigue-life model was developed, providing a more accurate solution for estimating the allowable number of load repetitions of RCC pavements subjected to vehicular fatigue loading. This model could be used in RCC thickness design procedures to determine the optimum RCC design thickness and long-term fatigue performance of RCC pavements for roadway application.

Construction Technology of Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement in Highway Pavement Construction

Construction Technology of Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement in Highway Pavement Construction

Evaluation of the optimum value of lightweight expanded clay aggregate incorporation into the roller-compacted concrete pavement through experimental measurement of mechanical and thermal properties

ABSTRACT The mechanical and thermal properties of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) are considerably influenced by its aggregate. This study determined the optimum value of lightweight expanded clay aggregate (LECA) incorporation into the RCCP through the response surface methodology (RSM) with mechanical and thermal properties evaluation. LECA was replaced as coarse aggregate in different percentages of 25, 50, 75, and 100% (by volume) to develop lightweight and high-insulation capacity RCCP, which could be appropriate for cold climatic zones. Two different mixtures of RCCP with normal-weight aggregate comprising 12% and 15% cement were used as control mixtures. The results showed that incorporating LECA at any percentage in RCCP produced more workable concrete. The substitution of LECA in 25–100% decreased the density of RCCPs containing 12% and 15% cement about 8–24% and 7–23%, respectively, while the water absorption increased around 4–77% and 8–72%. The thermal conductivity of RCCPs decreased by increasing the LECA replacement as coarse aggregate. Also, the LECA replacement increment in RCCPs resulted in lower heat capacity values. Overall, it can be concluded that incorporating LECA in RCCP by around 37% as coarse aggregate would satisfy the standards in terms of fresh, mechanical, and thermal properties.

Effect of surface free energy on water absorption of roller-compacted concrete pavement containing calcium stearate powder

The impact of surface free energy (SFE) on water absorption of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) containing calcium stearate powder with different water to cement (w/c) ratios, was investigated. For this purpose, 60 cylindrical specimens were prepared with various percentages of calcium stearate powder. Water absorption, contact angle and air void tests were performed, and SFE values were calculated for various specimens. Accordingly, the addition of calcium stearate powder to RCCP reduced water absorption and SFE while increasing the contact angle. The air void content in RCCPs increased by adding hydrophobic powder. The computed tomography scans showed that the increase of voids was mainly due to the increase in number of pores with a diameter of less than 10 µm. Besides, a relationship between SFE and voids was proposed for RCCPs with different w/c ratios. This relationship indicated that with increasing the percentage of voids, the SFE decreases, which reduces capillary suction and water absorption.

Laboratory Investigation of Modified Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCCP) Containing Macro Synthetic Fibers

Laboratory Investigation of Modified Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCCP) Containing Macro Synthetic Fibers

Strength properties of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) under different curing methods

The curing of roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavements requires much more attention and importance than conventional concrete pavements due to its very dry consistency. This research was conducted to determine the effects of different curing types and their application times on mechanical properties of RCC. In addition, the effects on physical properties of RCC were determined in the study, as well. In the experimental study, 4 different curing types as the curing compound, burlap, membrane and water that have been widely used in the market, were applied for 15, 30, and 60 min and immediately after casting. Compressive strength, flexural strength, weight loss, ultrasonic pulse velocity and rebound hammer tests were applied to determine the physical and mechanical properties of RCC specimens. According to the results, the best curing method for compressive and flexural strengths of RCC was determined as water curing, providing approximately 29% and 34% increase in strength compared to uncured mixtures, respectively. In terms of weight loss, the best result was obtained with water curing, increasing the amount of moisture, unlike other curing methods.

Experimental Investigation on the Mechanical Properties of Polypropylene Hybrid Fiber-Reinforced Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements

To explore the effect of multi-scale polypropylene fiber (PPF) hybridization on the mechanical properties of roller-compacted concrete (RCC), the early-age (3, 7, 14, 28 days) compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and uniaxial tensile test of RCC reinforced with micro-, macro- and hybrid polypropylene fibers were investigated. Then, the tensile stress–strain curve of polypropylene fiber-reinforced roller-compacted concrete (PFRCC) and the corresponding tensile parameters were obtained. The uniaxial tensile constitutive equation of PFRCC and fiber hybrid effect function was also proposed. Finally, the enhancement mechanism of fiber hybridization on mechanical properties of RCC was analyzed. The results indicated that the strength and toughness of PFRCC improved with the incorporation of PPF, showing obvious plastic failure characteristics of PFRCC. Before curing the concrete for 7 days, micro-PPF played a major role in strengthening RCC, while macro-PPF played a major role in reinforcing concrete after that. Moreover, the tensile strength and toughness indexes of multi-scale PFRCC performed the best, indicating the positive hybridization of three types of PPF. The proposed PFRCC uniaxial tensile constitutive equation and fiber hybrid effect function based on existing researches were also well matched with the experimental results.

A statistical fatigue life prediction model applicable for fibre-reinforced roller-compacted concrete pavement

This study was conducted to predict the laboratory-scale fatigue life of the fibre-reinforced roller-compacted concrete pavement by determining how macro-synthetic and steel fibres affected its mechanical and the fracture properties. Accordingly, compressive, flexural and indirect tensile strength tests were carried out first and then fatigue tests were done at different stress levels and the related fatigue life was predicted using a multiple linear regression model based on the effective mechanical properties. Results showed that the stress level, fracture energy, and fibre content, respectively, were significant influential factors in the fatigue life prediction process. In the fatigue test, the introduced failure point parameter revealed that the more was the amount of the failure point, the greater was the energy absorbed by the fibres at the cracking zone through the stress transfer mechanism. Finally, the fatigue prediction model was validated through misspecification, heteroscedasticity, and multicollinearity tests which confirmed the regression model’s multilinearity assumption.

Experimental evaluation of multi-functional effects of fibers on mechanical and performance properties of Roller-compacted concrete pavements (RCCP)

The weak performance of asphalt pavements in different climatic conditions, quick decay of pavement, and lack of necessary durability have caused engineers and constructors to try to find Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCCP) for use in various conditions and applications with outstanding properties such as higher durability, and lower maintenance costs. This paper aimed to investigate the mechanical and durability of RCCP by considering different types and amounts of fibers. Cylindrical specimens (with two diameters of 100 and 150 mm) and bending beams with four different fiber types (steel, Kortta Emboss, Kortta Twist, and Sinusoidal plastic) and different percentages were used and subjected to various tests. The compaction time (VB or Vebe) test on fresh concrete, the compressive strength, elastic modulus, the flexural strength, the Brazilian tensile strength, impact resistance, electrical resistance, and skid resistance tests on hardened concrete were conducted. A total of 17 fiber-reinforced concrete mixtures in addition to plain specimen were considered. The test results indicated that compressive, flexural, and tensile strengths of the specimen containing steel fibers were improved up to 27, 83, and 25%, respectively. Moreover, the flexural and tensile strengths of specimens containing Kortta Emboss fibers were improved up to 80 and 19%, respectively. The impact resistance of specimens containing steel and Kortta Emboss fibers were significantly improved up to 270 and 290%. Based on evaluating the results obtained from all tests, Kortta Emboss fiber was proposed as the best option among the studied fibers to improve the properties and functions of RCCP.

Physical and mechanical properties of high volume fly ash roller compacted concrete pavement (A laboratory and case study)

The soil compaction method is widely used in the design of roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavements. The tools used in the compaction of laboratory specimens do not fully reflect the field compaction performance. Therefore, the mixture designed according to the soil compaction method in the laboratory may not be the ideal mixture for field application. In this study, interlayer cold joint formation and its treatment method, strength, and permeability of high volume fly ash RCC mixtures produced in the laboratory and field were compared. For this purpose, in addition to the control mixture, 60% (by weight of cement) of either cement or aggregate was replaced with fly ash (FA). In the laboratory, the specimens with and without 1 cm interlayer mortar were prepared in two layers and compacted by a vibrating hammer. As the preliminary field study, platforms 100 cm long, 80 cm wide, and around 40 cm (compacted) depth were produced from each mixture. The platforms were cast in open-air conditions and were compacted in two layers by using a 70x50 cm steel pressure plate with the same laboratory vibratory hammer. As a result of laboratory and preliminary field study the mixture where aggregate was partially replaced with fly ash was selected for the construction of a single layer (about 0.20 m compacted thickness), 7 m width, and 100 m length RCC road. The placement of the RCC in two layers, even without any delay in placement and compaction of the top layer, caused interlayer cold joint and subsequent reduction in the strength. Furthermore, Laboratory specimens with and without interlayer bedding mortar showed higher strength than the similar field (core) specimens. The fact seems to be arisen from the differences in the compaction, curing, and the nature of the cold joint between the laboratory and field specimens, as well as from the damaged caused during core drilling.

Reliability assessment of compressive and splitting tensile strength prediction of roller compacted concrete pavement: introducing MARS-GOA-MCS

ABSTRACT It is required to determine the mechanical properties of Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCCP) such as Compressive Strength (CS) and Splitting Tensile Strength (STS) for constructing and maintaining the road pavement because of the inevitable uncertainties in the experimental setup. In this study, a reliable hybrid intelligent model based on the integration of Grasshopper Optimisation Algorithm (GOA) and Multivariate Adaptive Regression Splines (MARS), called MARS-GOA, was developed to present new closed-form equations for CS and STS prediction of RCCP. Initially, GOA was developed to serve as a search engine of the proposed algorithm to optimise MARS control parameters by minimising the error of prediction. Statistical metrics indicate that proposed hybrid MARS-GOA outperformed ELM, M5p, and standard MARS for prediction of both the CS (CoD = 0.811, PMARE = 22.146% and U95 = 34.670) and STS (CoD = 0.816, PMARE = 16.192% and U95 = 2.725) of RCCP. The results of reliability analysis, namely Monte-Carlo Simulation (MCS), revealed that TCS, TTS, and uncertainty level of the used dataset play a major role in the determination of the reliability of the RCCP mix design.

Modelling compactibility of RCC specimens using the asphalt gyratory compactor

The density of fresh Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) pavement dictates its durability and mechanical characteristics. Achieving the required density depends on many factors but mainly on the thickness of the lift and the RCC mix constituents. To evaluate the compactibility of fresh RCC mixes prior to placement, current practices recommend using no-slump consistency tests such as the Vebe test. However, these tests lack sensitivity to the dryness of RCC mixes as well as to the placement thickness. This paper proposes an approach to evaluate the compacatibility of RCC specimens by estimating the energy required to achieve the specified density over the thickness of different mixes. In order to study the energy, the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) was incorporated as a consistent and accurate compaction tool. The SGC provides displacement records with gyration numbers that facilitate i) density calculations through volume change and, ii) model, the compactibility of RCC, mixes using vibrational mechanics. A damping coefficient and a time-dependent restoring force were estimated and used to calculate the mechanical energy at each gyration and the cumulative energy after 25 gyrations. The damping coefficient, which is a material property, was further used to determine the cumulative energy of different RCC thicknesses. This approach investigated the effect of the specified lower and upper aggregate gradation and the use of additives on compactibility and density of RCC mixes.

Failure behavior of functionally graded roller compacted concrete pavement under mode I and III fracture

Today, the idea of functionally graded material (FGM), which refers to using different materials in multiple layers to improve overall system performance, is commonly used in various engineering sciences. The present study investigates the fracture behavior (modes I and III) of the functionally graded concrete pavement (FGCP) when the bottom layer is RCC (roller compacted concrete) and the top one is ordinary PCC (Portland cement concrete) or FPCC (fibrous Portland cement concrete). Results have shown that the FGC specimens’ flexural strength is similar to that of the full-depth ones and adding polypropylene fibers does not improve it; the main fiber effect is related to the specimens’ post-cracking behavior. While adding fibers highly improves the mode I fracture energy, its effect on mode III fracture toughness is negligible. The pull-off test results have also shown that more than 2 h time lag in pouring two layers will result cold joints between two layers.

The Effect of Mixture Parameters on the Surface Properties of Roller Compacted Concrete (RCC) Pavements

Ülkemizde SSB kaplamaların şehir içi ve köy yollarında kullanımı gittikçe artmaktadır. Fakat yol sürüş konforunu ve güvenliğini etkileyen kaplama yüzey özelliklerine, karışım parametrelerinin etkisini inceleyen detaylı bir çalışma uluslararası literatürde mevcut değildir. Bu eksikliği gidermeye yönelik yapılan bu çalışmada, farklı çimento dozajları, agrega gradasyonları ve su oranları ile hazırlanan 12 SSB karışımı, “Superpave-Yoğurmalı-Presi” ile farklı seviyelerde sıkıştırılıp yüzey özellikleri, İngiliz pandülü ve kum yama testleriyle değerlendirilmiştir. Yapılan istatistiksel analizlerde, yoğurma sayısının etkisi görülmezken; SSB çimento dozajı, su muhtevası ve gradasyonun yalnızca mukavemet yönünden değil aynı zamanda yüzey özellikleri bakımından da etkili olduğu sonucuna varılmış ve SSB karışım optimizasyonu için öneriler getirilmiştir.

Laboratory Approach to Determine Roller Compacted Concrete Mixture Electrical Characteristics Using a New Time-Domain Reflectometry Interpretation Method

This work deals with using time-domain reflectometry (TDR) to measure the electrical properties of roller compacted concrete (RCC). It is well known that TDR provides a non-destructive method to measure the dielectric constant toward an estimation of moisture content for soil materials. However, few studies have used TDR to determine the moisture content in concrete because of the inability to obtain TDR traces after the concrete hardens. To obtain TDR traces, a transmission circuit is initiated where a wave signal moves through the medium and reflects back in accordance with transmission line theory. In the literature, the TDR waveform has been interpreted empirically to estimate the relative permittivity (or dielectric constant) and electrical conductivity in a given material relative to the determination of associated water content. However, empirical models tend to ignore certain aspects related to the electrical properties of a medium, which has made interpretation of TDR measurements prone to systematic errors. In this paper, a new approach of test configuration and TDR response interpretation has been developed. For the test setup, the approach uses disposable metal probes that can be embedded into the concrete at different depths to obtain the TDR traces. The approach also employs the transmission line equation to estimate the dielectric constant, electrical conductivity, and reflectivity of an instrumented RCC mixture. These properties will affect the understanding of the RCC pavement behavior, especially curling and warping behavior, placement density, and development of long-term distresses.

Characterization of Coconut Shell Ash and Eggshell Powder as Supplementary Cementitious Materials in Roller Compacted Concrete Industrial Access Pavements and Parking Facilities

Abstract The cost of cement used in concrete works is on the increase and unaffordable, yet the need for hydraulic cement concrete and other cement concrete based infrastructures keeps growing with increasing population, thus the need to find alternative binding materials that can be used solely or in partial replacement of cement. The use of waste materials with pozzolanic properties in concrete production is a becoming a worldwide practice. The assessment of the pozzolanic activity of cement replacement materials is becoming increasingly important because of the need for more sustainable cementing products. In this study, a mixture of coconut shell ash and eggshell powder is used as partial replacement of hydraulic cement in ranges of 0%, 5%, 10%, 15%, and 20%. The concrete specimens were prepared at 1: 3: 2.5 mix ratio of cementitious material, fine aggregate and coarse aggregate. The mix ratio satisfied the minimum cement content of 148.32kg/m3 (250Ib/yd3) and the minimum cementitious material content of 267 kg/m3 (450Ib/yd3) for roller compacted concrete pavement. The compressive strength, splitting tensile strength and flexural strength tests were carried out to assess the strength characteristics of ternary concrete mixture containing coconut shell ash and eggshell powder and the feasibility of using coconut shell ash and eggshell powder as partial replacement of cement in industrial plant access concrete roads and parking lots. The results indicate that a mixture of coconut shell ash and eggshell powder can be used up to 20% by weight for replacement of cement in roller compacted industrial plant access concrete roads and parking lots.

Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements Produced Entirely with Steelmaking Slag Aggregates

Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements Produced Entirely with Steelmaking Slag Aggregates

Investigating the Micro/Macro-Texture Performance of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavement under Simulated Traffic Abrasion

Since the roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is almost smooth due to roller vibrations in the construction process, the lack of macro-texture prevents it from being used as a final surface. This study has made efforts to improve the RCCP by proposing different scenarios to create new micro-/macro-texture surfaces and investigate their durability and skid resistance under traffic abrasion conditions. To prepare the micro-texture, eight RCCP specimens were cast using various 50–50% mixing proportions, and each of them alone in the form of siliceous and calcareous fine aggregates (natural and manufactured). For the macro-texture, each specimen was textured using such methods as seeding (three cases), stamping (two cases), and brooming (two cases). Since the durable texture should withstand the abrasive traffic flow, the RCCP-surface abrasion resistance was measured by the simulation method proposed in ASTM C944, and their skid resistance was evaluated by measuring the British pendulum test according to ASTM E303 before and after abrasion. The results showed that abrasion resistance of RCCP samples to changes in mixing design and skid resistance to changes in macro-texture have significant changes. In addition, different siliceous-calcareous sand combinations not only made the concrete mix more economical but also improved its performance in case of abrasion and skid resistance. The more was the manufactured sand proportion, the higher the fracture rate was and, hence, the abrasion resistance. Different macro-textures created on RCCP specimens generally showed acceptable skid resistance. In this regard, stamping had the highest mean texture depth (MTD) as well as BPN, and seeding had the lowest.

Evaluation the effect of micro-synthetic fiber on mechanical and freeze-thaw behavior of non-air-entrained roller compacted concrete pavement using response surface methodology

Freeze thaw durability of roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is the main concern that may cause difficulties for its construction. In this paper the combination of both the cement content and water-to-cement (W/C) ratio parameters as cement-to-saturated surface dry aggregate ratio (C/A) and its effect on mechanical and durability properties of fiber reinforced RCCPs was investigated in laboratory scale by keeping water content (130 kg/m3), whereas, the specimens were compacted by vibrating hammer method. Moreover, the effect of short length micro-synthetic fiber on freeze thaw durability of RCCP specimens was evaluated and compared with control mixtures. A total of 16 RCCP mixtures with combination of various W/C ratios (0.35, 0.4, 0.45 and 0.5) and various cement content values (260–370 kg/m3) as C/A (13, 15, 17 and 19%) and various fiber volume fractions (Vf) (0 for control, 0.1, 0.3, 0.5%) were constructed in order to evaluate the effects on both fresh and hardened properties. The interactions of C/A and Vf were examined on responses including the Vebe time, dry unit weight (γd), compressive strength (fc-28), splitting tensile strength (ft-28), third point flexural strength (ff-28), ultrasonic pulse velocity (UPV), water absorption (WA), durability factor (Df) and weight loss at 300 freeze–thaw cycles (WL-300) using response surface methodology (RSM). The optimization was performed on all statistical regression models by maximizing ft-28 , Df and ff-28 and minimizing WA and WL-300 showed that C/A = 17.65% and fiberVf = 0.15% provided an optimum mixture leading the best mechanical and durability properties with the desirability of 0.994. It was found that the uniform distribution of the optimum fiber Vf through the concrete matrix with no mass collection can highly improve the mechanical and durability properties of RCCP. Furthermore, the WL-300 less than 5% represented an acceptable and more conservative limit than Df for identifying durable specimens.

Mechanical properties of roller-compacted concrete pavement containing recycled brick aggregates and silica fume

This study looks into the use of waste clay bricks, in roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). To this end, waste were used in RCCP (at 0% to 100%) as a substitute for sand. Silica fume (SF) was also used to enhance the mechanical properties of the concrete. Mix designs containing 5% to 15% of SF were firstly prepared to determine the optimal amount of SF in the RCCP. Then, SF were used in bricks’ combination. Vebe, ultrasonic pulse velocity, compressive strength, water absorption, splitting tensile strength, abrasion resistance, and skid resistance tests were carried out on the samples. The results indicated that up to 25% substitution of brick waste for sand in RCCP did not cause any significant adverse effect. However, in amounts higher than 50%, the properties of concrete were affected. Thus, SF improved concrete properties and is capable of offsetting the negative effects of using bricks waste in RCCP.