Behavior and Performance of High Performance Concrete for Pavements

Abstract

Under TE 30, High Performance Concrete Pavement program, several states are undertaking a variety of innovative research in high performance concrete pavement materials and innovative design/construction features. This project addressed the needs of Maryland State Highway Authority in exploring the use of fiber reinforced and low shrinkage concrete in pavements. Past experience with these materials have indicated i) potential benefits in flexural fatigue resistance and reduction in crack development, and ii) potential reduction in slab warping effects with implications on pavement slab longevity. The objective of this study was to examine the design and lab performance of these materials for Maryland conditions, monitor their lab and field performance, and quantify potential benefits. Extensive fatique modeling was undertaken for developing the fatigue relationships and SN curves for these mixtures. In addition, finite element analysis (FEM) was used to model the behavior of these materials in field conditions and developing the base analytical model to be used in comparing future behavior and performance of the pavement test sections with these mixtures.