PURPOSES : Roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) is a superstiff-consistency concrete pavement that exhibits excellent strength development owing to a hydration reaction and interlocking aggregates owing to the roller compaction. A zero-slump concrete mixture is generally used. Hence, it is important to control the consistency of the RCCP mixture to prevent the deterioration of the construction quality (such as material separation during paving). The workability of the RCCP is characterized by its consistency and controlled by the Vebe time, whereas a conventional concrete pavement is controlled based on the slump test. The consistency of the RCCP changes over time after concrete mixing owing to delivery, construction time delays, etc. Thus, it is necessary to use the optimum Vebe time to achieve the best construction quality. Therefore, this study aims to develop a Vebe time prediction model for efficiently controlling the consistency of RCCPs according to random time variations.
METHODS : A Vebe time prediction model was developed using a multiple linear regression analysis. A dataset of 131 samples was used to develop the model. The collected data consisted of variables with large potential effects on the consistency of the RCCP, such as the water-cement ratio (W/C), sand/aggregate ratio (S/a), water content (ω), water content per unit volume (W), cement (C), fine aggregate (S), coarse aggregate (G), water reducing admixtrue (PNS), air-entraining admixture (AE), delay time (T), air temperature (TEM), and humidity (HUM). In the multiple linear regression analysis, the mentioned parameters were used as the independent variables, and the Vebe time was the dependent variable. The Vebe time prediction models were evaluated by considering the adjusted R2 and p-values. The selection of the model was based on the largest R2 value and an acceptable p-value (p<0.05).
RESULTS : The Vebe time prediction model achieved an adjusted R2 value of 64.14% with a significance level (p-value) of less than 0.05. This shows that the predictive model is adequately described for the dependent variable, and that the model is suitable for Vebe time predictions. Moreover, the significance level of the independent variables is less than 0.05, indicating significant effects on the Vebe time (i.e., the dependent variable).
CONCLUSIONS : The Vebe time prediction model developed in this study can be used to estimate Vebe times with an R2 of 63.33% between the measured and predicted values. The proposed Vebe time prediction model is expected to be effectively utilized for the quality control of RCCP mixtures. Moreover, it is expected to contribute to achieving good RCCP construction quality.
Roller Compacted Concrete Pavement (RCCP) is a pavement placed and compacted using an asphalt paver and a compaction roller by applying a small amount of concrete mixture and shows excellent structural performance as a result of hydration reaction of cement and interlocking of aggregates by roller compaction. It also provides economic advantages over conventional concrete pavements by reducing unit cement content and construction period, simplifying construction process, and decreasing traffic closure time (Wayne, 2006). However, given that it tends to show lower IRI levels than common concrete pavements since its low unit water content and binder weight ratios make uniform quality control difficult and roller compaction after paving makes the surface irregular and rough, with rough profile at the bottom of the pavement being reflected on the surface, RCCP is used mainly in port and industrial roads for low speed (60km/h or less) traffic (Dale Harringtion, 2010; Gregory, 2009). In order to apply RCCP to high-speed roadways, diamond grinding (DG) or asphalt overlay that is highly effective in improving roughness is needed (Fares Abdo, 2014; Gregory, 2009). Applying DG over RCCP leads to excellent skid resistance and noise reduction effects as a great percentage of aggregates makes the pavement surface rough, enhancing durability of concrete and the life of DG functionality. In addition, RCCP can be used as a high performance base layer of composite pavements, as it can reduce reflecting cracking at joints and cracked sections thanks to early strength development and low drying shrinkage of concrete. In this study, we assessed longitudinal roughness improvement effects by roughness-affecting factor by applying DG methods and asphalt overlays to three RCCP sites with a variety of sub-structural conditions and analyzed the effects on roughness of existing RCC pavements depending on surfacing method (DG, APOverlay).
A number of roller-compacted concrete pavements (RCCP) have been constructed without saw-cut joints in order to save construction cost. Then it will allow natural cracks to randomly occur at the early age after concrete placement. Crack spacing of unjointed RCCP is crucial to ensure an adequate crack width and load transfer across the cracks since large crack spacing will result in excessive crack width and reduce load transfer efficiency that may be cause faulting, excessive deflection, and further cracking in RCCP slab. Due to pavement thickness, climatic condition, and material properties, unjointed RCCP may have different natural crack spacing. In this study, an analytical approach to predict natural crack spacing of an unjointed RCCP was developed. An analytical method based on elastic theory to calculate axial restraint stress using a bilinear slab-subbase interfacial constraint assumption was conducted. Curling stress induced by temperature gradient through the depth of the slab was also considered. The analytical model incorporates the environmental effect, strength gain and modulus of elasticity, coefficient of thermal expansion, drying shrinkage, base type materials, and slab geometries. The predicted crack spacing results obtained from the predictive model were validated through field measured data. The results showed a good agreement compared with crack spacing measured in the field. Furthermore, the result from a sensitive analysis using proposed predictive model showed that crack spacing increased when thickness of RCCP increased. The predicted crack spacing results may be used as input parameters to estimate crack widths in unjointed RCCP under given climatic condition, and material properties. If estimated crack width is excessive and cannot maintain an adequate load transfer across the cracks, saw-cut joints with an appropriate spacing should be provided in order to minimize crack width, and to prevent future cracking of RCCP leading to better performance.
Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) has been widely used for construction of pavements [1]. The strength of RCCP can be obtained from not only hydration of binder but also the aggregate interlock resulted from roller-compaction [2]. For this reason, RCCP normally achieves higher strength compared to conventional concrete pavement with similar cement content. Even though RCCP can be provided a good structural performance, it has been difficult to verify the long-term performance though actual field construction. Therefore, this study aimed to investigate the fatigue characteristics and crack development in RCCP based on full-scale fatigue test and accelerated pavement test. In case of full-scale fatigue tests, fatigue behavior was evaluated by using 1 m × 1 m dimensional RCC slab specimens obtained from the field in order to consider the field variability. Fatigue equation derived from this study shows that the number of load repetitions which causes fatigue failure at the same stress level is slightly larger than that of PCA fatigue equation. In order to evaluate the performance of RCCP, two phases of accelerated pavement test (APT) were conducted. In phase one, the performance of RCCP at two different strengths (35.6 and 30.4 MPa) was evaluated. In phase two, the performance of RCCP with different thickness (5, 7.5 and 10 cm) was investigated. The number of load repetition of fatigue crack occurrence in each section was compared to the estimated fatigue failure determined from fatigue equation of RCCP. The crack development in each section was compared to the AASHTO crack model for JPCP. Overall, it was confirmed that RCCP has equal or better performance compared to JPCP the estimation in term of fatigue cracking. The fatigue equation from PCA and cracking model from AAHTO can be used on RCCP at certain design thickness range.
PURPOSES: The main purpose of this study is to develop a high elastic modulus and low-shrinkage roller-compacted concrete base (RCCB) in order to prevent fatigue cracking and reflective cracking in the asphalt surface layer of composite pavement. Using a rigid base material with low shrinkage can be a solution to this problem. Moreover, a strong rigid base with high elastic modulus is able to shift the location of critical tensile strain from the bottom of the asphalt layer to the bottom of the rigid base layer, which can prevent fatigue cracking in the asphalt layer. METHODS: Sensitivity analysis of composite pavement via numerical methods is implemented to determine an appropriate range of elastic modulus of the rigid base that would eliminate fatigue cracking. Various asphalt thicknesses and elastic moduli of the rigid base are used in the analysis to study their respective influences on fatigue cracking. Low-shrinkage RCC mixture, as determined via laboratory testing with various amounts of a CSA expansion agent (0%, 7%, and 10%), is found to achieve an appropriate low-shrinkage level. Shrinkage of RCC is measured according to KS F 2424. RESULTS : This study shows that composite pavements comprising asphalt thicknesses of (h1) 2 in. with E2 > 19 GPa, 4 in. with E2 > 15 GPa, and 6 in. with E2 > 11 GPa are able to eliminate tensile strain in the asphalt layer, which is the cause of fatigue cracking in this layer. Shrinkage test results demonstrate that a 10% CSA RCC mixture can reduce shrinkage by 84% and 93% as compared to conventional RCC and PCC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: According to the results of numerical analyses using various design inputs, composite pavements are shown to be able to eliminate fatigue cracking in composite pavement. Additionally, an RCC mixture with 10% CSA admixture is able to reduce or eliminate reflective cracking in asphalt surfaces as a result of the significant shrinkage reduction in the RCC base. Thus, this low-shrinkage base material can be used as an alternative solution to distresses in composite pavement.
Roller-compacted concrete or RCC is a dry concrete that requires compaction in order to reach its final form. Its consistency is usually overlooked due to its inconsistency and lack of subjective nature. To work with this concrete, however, appropriate consistency is required for supporting the compacting machine and minimizing compaction energy. Due to transportation and compaction time, maintaining proper consistency within a period of time is also necessary. Vebe time, a represent parameter of dry concrete consistency, ranged from 30 to 75 seconds is considered appropriate for RCC in pavement application. The purpose of this study is to improve workability of this concrete which consisted of improving its consistency and maintaining it within the working time. It was confirmed that the workable time of a normal RCC is less than one hour. Moreover, it was found that Vebe time drops when water content increases and goes up when sand by aggregate ratio increases. Various admixtures were also employed in this study in order to improve the workability of this concrete. Poly Naphtalene Sulfonate superplasticizer, particularly, was found to be the most effective in term of lowering down Vebe time and maintaining it. With just 0.3% of this admixture, the working time of RCC can be extended up to four hours without affecting its compressive strength.
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 300 ㎛ (close to 250 ㎛) 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.
PURPOSES : The use of environmentally friendly construction methods has been recently encouraged to reduce fuel consumption and the effects of global warming. For this purpose, the roller compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) construction method has been developed. RCCP is more environmentally friendly and economically efficient than general concrete by reducing the amount of CO2 generated through the application of a smaller amount of cement. RCCP has a number of advantages such as an easy construction method, low cost, high structural hydration performance, and aggregate interlocking. However, mix design standards and construction guidelines of RCCP are required for domestic application. In addition, a study on aggregate selection, which has an effect on the characteristics of RCCP, is necessary owing to a limited number of researches. Thus, the aggregate effect on the performance of RCCP in securing the required strength and workability was evaluated in consideration of domestic construction.
METHODS : Sand and coarse aggregates of both 19mm and 13mm in maximum size were used in this study. Four types of aggregate gradations (s/a = 30%, 58%, and 70% for the sand and coarse aggregate of 19mm in maximum size, and s/a = 50% for a combination of the three types of aggregates) were set up to investigate the effects of the PCA band on the RCC characteristics. The conditions of s/a = 30% and 70% were evaluated to check the gradation effect outside of the recommended band. The conditions of s/a = 58% and 50% were used because they are the optimum combination of the two and three types of aggregates, respectively. RCCP gradation band was suggested gradation with a proper construction method of RCCP by synthetically comparing and analyzing the correlation of optimum water content, maximum dry density, and strength of requirements through its consistency and compaction test.
RESULTS : The lower and upper limit lines are insufficient to secure a relatively strong development and workability compared to an aggregate gradation in the RCCP gradation band region. On the other hand, the line in the RCCP gradation band and the 0.45 power curve in the RCCP gradation band region were satisfactory, ensuring the required strength and workability.
CONCLUSIONS: The suitable aggregate gradation on RCCP process should meet the RCCP gradation band area; however, fine particles passing through a #60 sieve do not need to be within the recommended gradation band because the influence of this region on such fine particles is small.
PURPOSES: To ensure appropriate RCC properties with sufficient strength development and workability, it is necessary to secure a proper level of consistency. It is also necessary to secure maximum dry density, which is an important factor for increasing the interaction of aggregate interlocking, leading to an augmentation of RCC strength. On the other hand, the dry density of RCC can be changed owing to the compaction conditions, water content, and particle size distribution. A Proctor test and a modified Proctor test were used for determining the optimum water content needed to achieve maximum dry density with different amounts of compaction energy. A Vebe test, on the other hand, was used for checking the level of consistency, which is important for producing a workable mixture.
METHODS : To confirm the degree of compaction at various particle sizes, RCC mixtures with different sand/aggregate ratios were evaluated. The Proctor test and modified Proctor test were applied to these mixtures to check the effect of the aggregate gradation and compaction energy on the maximum dry density and optimum water content. During each test, three specimens were produced for all types of water content under each aggregate gradation. A compaction curve and the optimum water content and maximum dry density for each aggregate gradation were then obtained for both tests. The range of water content for the appropriate consistency of each aggregate gradation was determined through a Vebe test. The optimum water content was then evaluated based on this range.
RESULTS : The compaction test results show that the modified Proctor test provides a higher maximum dry density and lower optimum water content compared with the standard Proctor test. For the modified Proctor test, two cases of aggregate gradation (s/a = 30% and 70%) had the optimum water contents outside of the appropriate water content range. For the standard Proctor test, on the other hand, none of aggregate gradations provided the optimum water content within the desired range.
CONCLUSIONS : The modified Proctor test should be used for an RCC mixture design because it can provide adequacy between maximum dry density and consistency. Moreover, the compaction roller has become highly developed for higher compaction energy.
전 세계적으로 에너지 절약과 CO2 발생량의 절감을 위해 자전거의 이용을 장려하고 있으며 국내에서도 이러한 세계적 흐름에 발맞추어 자전거 이용을 활성화하기 위해 긴 연장의 신설 자전거도로 건설 계획이 진행되고 있다. 최근 신설 자전거도로의 효과적인 건설을 위해 시멘트 수화 반응뿐만 아니라 골재 맞물림에 의해 높은 구조적 성능을 발현하고 간단한 시공절차와 적은 건설비용을 지닌 롤러 전압 콘크리트 포장을 도입하기 위해 적정 배합에 대한 강도 및 내구성 연구가 수행되었다. 하지만 실내 연구를 통해 도출된 배합은 현장다짐에 따라 발현되는 강도에 차이가 있을 수 있다. 또한 얇은 단면, 낮은 강도 등 일반 도로 포장과 요구되는 성능이 상이한 자전거도로의 적정 성능 및 공용성을 확보하기 위한 시공 방안이 정립되어 있지 않다. 따라서 본 연구에서는 실내 연구 결과를 토대로 다양한 배합 및 다짐 조건에 대한 시험시공을 실시하여 코어 물성 검토, 육안관찰, 혼합물의 함수비, 다짐률, 전압률, 미끄럼저항성 및 평탄성을 측정하였다. 이를 통하여 자전거도로 적용을 위한 롤러 전압 콘크리트 포장의 시공방안을 제시하였다.
최근 화석자원의 고갈과 대기오염의 피해를 저감하기 위해 자전거의 이용을 적극적으로 장려하고 있으며 이를 위해 자전거도로 건설이 활발히 이루어지고 있다. 하지만 현재 사용 중인 자전거도로 포장은 이용 하중에 비해 높은 성능과 시공비용을 지니고 있어 효율적인 건설을 위해 경제적인 도로포장형식이 필요하다. 롤러 전압 콘크리트 포장은 시멘트 경화 반응과 다짐으로 인한 골재 맞물림에 따른 높은 구조적 성능을 확보할 수 있다. 또한 시공이 간단하고 건설비가 적어서 자전거도로에 적용하기 위한 우수한 조건을 갖추고 있다. 그러나 롤러 전압 콘크리트 포장의 불량한 표면 미관과 제설제 피해에 대한 취약성은 자전거도로 건설에서 문제로 작용하고 있다. 따라서 이러한 단점을 극복하기 위해 표면 미관의 개선과 환경하중에 대한 피해를 저감 할 수 있을 것으로 예상되는 코팅공법을 이용하였으며 이에 대한 효과를 검증하기 위해 롤러 전압 콘크리트 포장의 코팅에 따른 성능을 검토하였다.
에너지 절약과 CO2발생량의 절감을 위해 자전거의 이용을 적극 장려하고 있다. 이를 위해 다량의 신설 자전거 도로 건설 계획을 추진 중에 있다. 현재 국내에서 신설 자전거도로 건설을 위해 아스팔트포장 및 콘크리트 포장을 비롯하여, 반강성포장, 유색포장, 흙포장 등이 적용되고 있다. 하지만 이들 포장형식은 자전거도로의 요구 성능에 비하여 시공비용이 높다. 본 연구에서는 경제적이고 친환경적이며 내구성을 확보한 자전거도로포장으로써 롤러 다짐 콘크리트의 최적 다짐율과 배합비를 기초물성시험을 통해 검토하였다. 도출된 배합비에 대한 동결융해와 제설제 저항성 시험을 통해 환경저항성을 검토하였다. 추가적으로 경제성 및 CO2발생량을 일반콘크리트포장과 비교를 통해 평가했다.