NCHRP 18-04B - Durability of "Early-Opening-to-Traffic" Portland Cement Concrete for Pavement Rehabilitation

Date Started: 2000

Date Estimated Completion: 2004

Budget: $349,734

Sponsor: National Cooperative Highway Research Program,Transportation Research Board

Performing Organization: Michigan Technological University

Description: "The project produced guidelines to facilitate highway agencies' use of ""early-opening-to-traffic"" (EOT) concrete for pavement rehabilitation, thereby reducing pavement closure and accruing economic and environmental benefits. These guidelines address the proportioning, testing, construction, and other aspects of EOT concrete. The research focused on durability aspects of EOT concrete used for full-depth rehabilitation (e.g., full-depth repair and slab replacement) and dealt with concrete mixtures that are suited for opening to traffic within 6 to 8 hours or 20 to 24 hours after placement. The research includes (a) a review and synthesis of information relevant to the materials and practices used for EOT concrete construction; (b) an evaluation of six in-service EOT concrete rehabilitation projects located in four states; (c) conduct of laboratory tests on a large number of concrete specimens involving a wide range of mixtures appropriate for use in EOT pavement rehabilitation; (d) conduct of statistical analysis of the data obtained from the field and laboratory evaluations; and (e) development of guidelines for the proportioning, testing, and construction of 6- to 8-hour and 20- to 24-hour EOT concrete. "