Thesis (MScEng (Civil Engineering))--University of Stellenbosch, 2011. / ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The southbound screener lane of the Heidelberg Traffic Control Centre received structural improvements by means of an ultra thin continuously reinforced concrete pavement (UTCRCP) overlay. This experimental overlay forms part of the South African National Roads Agency Limited’s innovative highway repair strategy on existing pavements that have exceeded design life. The primary objective of this study was to characterize the UTCRCP overlay with regard to crack spacing formation under accelerated pavement testing (APT). Characterization comprised of empirical modelling techniques, statistical analysis, non destructive testing and software simulations. Pavement deflection responses were empirically and linear elastically converted to input parameters. These parameters were used in the mean crack spacing prediction model of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (M-E PDG). Observed cracking under APT was recorded and analyzed by means of descriptive statistics. The outcome of the M-E PDG’s mean crack spacing and the statistics of the observed cracking were evaluated against cncPave simulations. Initial shrinkage crack formations ranged from 500 mm to 900 mm, with a mean spacing of 695 mm. Subsequent secondary cracking reduced the segments, delineated by initial cracking, to intervals consisting of 100 mm to 350 mm. A statistical analysis of the observed cracking indicated that traffic had little effect on the transverse crack spacing formation. The observed cracks yielded a mean spacing of 296 mm, compared to the 186 mm of the M-E PDG mean crack spacing calculation. cncPave simulations indicated that the expected range of cracking would fall between 237 mm and 350 mm with a probability of 50% that crack spacing would exceed 265 mm. The 50th percentile of the observed cracks resulted in a spacing of 233 mm. The APT project was limited to a single test section. No pavement failures occurred during the APT project. A total of 2.8 million 80 kN load repetitions were applied to the UTCRCP. However circular crack formations regarded as a punchout development have formed on the UTCRCP test section. Circular cracks formed around weaknesses in the pavement system. The prediction of these punchout formations incorporates the mean crack spacing result. Occurrence of mean crack spacing forms part of a crack spacing distribution defined by a range. Therefore designing a punchout prediction model for UTCRCP should include the characteristics and range of the crack pattern and not merely the mean crack spacing value. Key Words: UTCRCP, APT, Mean Crack Spacing, Punchout, Descriptive Statistics, cncPave, M-E PDG, Transverse Cracks, Dense Liquid Foundation, Elastic Solid Foundation. / AFRIKAANSE OPSOMMING: Die suidwaartse moniteerings laan van die Heidelberg Verkeersbeheer Sentrum, het strukturele verbetering ondergaan deur die konstruksie van ‘n ultradun aaneen-gewapende betonplaveisel (UDAGBP) wat dien as ‘n deklaag. Hierdie eksperimentele deklaag is deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse Nasionale Paaie Aggentskap Beperk (SANRAL) se vernuftige deurpadherstelstrategie vir bestaande deurpaaie waarvan die ontwerplewe verstryk het. Die primêre doel van hierdie studie is om die UDAGBP te karakteriseer, met betrekking tot kraakspasiëring, deur middel van Versnelde Plaveisel Toetsing (VPT). Die karakteriseringsproses het bestaan uit empiriese moduleringstegnieke, statistiese ontleding, nie-destruktiewe toetsmetodologieë en sagtewaresimulasies. Die plaveiseldefleksiegedrag is empiries en linieêr elasties ontleed en omgeskakel na invoerparameters. Hierdie parameters is gebruik in die peilingsmodel vir gemiddelde kraakspasiëring van die Meganisties-Empiries Plaveisel Ontwerpsgids (M-E POG). Waargenome kraakspasiëring na die afloop van VPT is opgeteken en deur middel van beskrywende statistiek ontleed. Die resultate van die M-E POG se gemiddelde kraakspasiëring en die statistiese ontleding van die waargenome krake is geëvalueer teenoor cncPave simulasies. Aanvanklike krimpingskrake het gevorm met wisselende kraakspasiëring tussen 500 mm en 900 mm met ‘n gemiddelde spasiëring van 695 mm. Daaropvolgende krake het die aanvanklike segmente, wat gevorm het tydens die aanvanklike krimpingskrake, verkort na intervalle van 100 mm tot 350 mm. ‘n Statistiese ontleding van die waargeneemde krake het aangedui dat verkeer weinig ‘n aandeel het in die dwarskraak-vormingsproses. Die waargenome krake het ‘n gemiddelde spasiëring van 296 mm in vergelyking met 186 mm van die M-E POG se gemiddelde kraakspasiëring berekening. cncPave simulasies het aangedui dat die verwagte kraakspasiëringsgrense tussen 237 mm en 350 mm is en ‘n 50% waarskynlikheid dat die kraakspasiëring meer as 265 mm is. Die VPT projek is beperk tot ‘n enkele toetsseksie. Geen plaveiselfalings is waargeneem gedurende die VPT projek nie. In totaal was 2.8 miljoen as-lasherhalings aangewend op die UDAGBP. Daar het egeter sirkelvormige kraakformasies, wat beskou word as ponsswigting, ontwikkel op die UDAGBP toetsseksie. Sirkelvormige kraakpatrone het gevorm rondom swak plekke in die plaveisel. Die peilingsmodelle van hierdie ponsswigting maak gebruik van die gimiddelde kraakspasiëringsresultaat. Die verskynsel van gemiddelde kraakspasiëring in hierdie studie is deel van ‘n kraakspasiëringsverdeling, gedefinieerd deur ‘n spasiëringsgrens. Daarom moet die kraakspasiëringskarakteristieke en spasiëringsgrense in ag geneem word in die ontwerpsproses van ‘n UDAGBP ponsswigting-peilings-model, nie slegs die waarde van die gemiddelde kraakspasiëring nie. Sleutel woorde: UDAGBP, VPT, Gemiddelde Kraakspasiëring, Ponsswigting, Beskrywende Statistiek, cncPave, M-E POG, Transversale Krake, Digte Vloeistof Fondasie, Elasties- Soliede Fondasie.

Apresenta-se um trabalho numérico e experimental, com o objetivo de estudar o comportamento dos pavimentos de concreto estruturalmente armados, quando submetidos a forças verticais estáticas e repetidas. Avalia-se a contribuição da armadura de flexão, na resistência de placas de concreto apoiadas sobre meio elástico. Verifica-se experimentalmente o modo de ruína de placas submetidas a carregamento monotônico e a carregamento repetido, com e sem armadura, e acompanha-se o desenvolvimento das fissuras no concreto e das deformações no aço. Comparam-se os resultados obtidos, com as recomendações da NBR 6118:2003, para o dimensionamento de estruturas submetidas à fadiga. É desenvolvido modelo numérico capaz de representar a interface do solo com a placa do pavimento, a fissuração do concreto, a contribuição da armadura e o comportamento pós-fissuração. Com auxílio do modelo numérico, validado a partir dos resultados experimentais, estuda-se a influência de alguns parâmetros importantes para o dimensionamento dos pavimentos, tais como: capacidade de suporte da fundação, espessura das placas, área de aço, dimensões das placas em planta, posição de aplicação da força e presença de juntas de transferência de deslocamento. Os resultados experimentais mostram uma significativa contribuição da armadura positiva na resistência de placas isoladas sob forças verticais centradas. Verificou-se que as forças repetidas provocam fadiga do aço e que o número de ciclos depende da deformação provocada na armadura. A partir dos resultados são traçadas diretrizes para o dimensionamento, no qual devem ser considerados os momentos positivos e os negativos, e deve ser feita a verificação da fadiga do concreto e da armadura / A numerical and experimental study on the behavior of structurally reinforced concrete pavement under vertical static and repeated load is presented. The contribution of bending reinforcement to the strength of concrete slab is assessed. It is experimentally verified the fracture of reinforced and plain concrete slabs under monotonic loads and under cyclic loads. The concrete cracking and the strain on steel are monitored. The results are compared to the brazilian code recommendations to the design of structures under fatigue. A numerical model that represents the soil-slab interface, the concrete cracking, the reinforcement contribution and the tension stiffening behavior is developed. Some important parameters to the pavement design are analyzed using this finite element model, whose reliability was verified to experimental results. These parameters are: the soil capacity; the slab thickness; reinforcement ratio; slab dimensions; load positions; and joints conditions. The tests data show an important contribution of the positive reinforcement on the strength of an isolated slab with centered load. It has been verified the fatigue of the steel. The number of cycles depends on the reinforcement strain. The results are used to propose some directions to the design. The positive and negative bending moments have to be considered and the fatigue on the concrete and on the reinforcement has to be verified

O emprego de pavimentos permeáveis tem se tornado cada vez mais necessário como medida compensatória para amortecer as vazões de pico e atenuar os impactos gerados pelas chuvas torrenciais em áreas altamente urbanizadas. Dentre os materiais convencionalmente adotados como revestimento permeável no contexto nacional destacam-se os blocos de concreto intertravados (BCI) e o asfalto poroso. No entanto, internacionalmente, existem materiais alternativos que podem apresentar permeabilidade igual ou até mesmo superior. Sob esse prisma, convém destacar o uso dos blocos de concreto articulados (BCA), recentemente adotados nos Estados Unidos e na Coréia do Sul, cuja capacidade de infiltração vem mostrando-se bastante promissora. Diferentemente dos blocos intertravados, os BCA foram projetados para trabalhar em conjunto, já que são interconectados por meio do encaixe das articulações unidirecionais de cada peça, sobrepostas umas às outras, dispensando assim o uso de material de rejunte, o que por sua vez aumenta a permeabilidade do revestimento. Contudo, embora o desempenho hidráulico aparente ser eficaz, questiona-se se o pavimento de blocos de concreto articulados (PBCA) comporta-se de forma igualmente satisfatória em termos estruturais. Nesse sentido, visando avaliar o desempenho estrutural e hidráulico de um pavimento permeável de BCA, foi construída uma pista experimental (20 x 5 m) no Campus da USP, adotando-se dois tipos de base, uma de agregado reciclado (RCD) e outra de agregado natural (brita 1). Na análise estrutural utilizaram-se como parâmetros de avaliação as deflexões máximas obtidas via FWD (Falling Weight Deflectometer), a eficiência de transferência de carga (LTE - Load Transfer Efficiency) e por fim, os módulos de resiliência retroanalisados para cada camada. Ademais, a pesquisa ainda avaliou a influência da presença de fissuras ou trincas nos blocos no desempenho estrutural do pavimento, já que acabaram tornando-se recorrentes em ambas as seções avaliadas. Já na avaliação hidráulica, monitorou-se a taxa de infiltração in situ ao longo de quase vinte meses. Complementarmente, foram realizadas ainda avaliações laboratoriais dos materiais empregados e funcionais do pavimento. A análise estrutural indicou que o sentido articulado do BCA obteve respostas estruturais nitidamente melhores que o sentido não articulado em termos de módulo de resiliência, deflexões máximas e LTE, evidenciando que de fato as articulações conferem intertravamento ao pavimento, próximo ao propiciado pela areia de rejunte no BCI. A base de RCD por apresentar uma distribuição granulométrica mais bem distribuída do que a brita 1, também obteve melhores resultados. Já a presença de trincas ou fissuras nos blocos não acarretou comprometimento no desempenho estrutural da pista experimental, devido ao baixo grau de severidade da maioria das patologias encontradas, como atestou o levantamento funcional, cuja classificação indicou um pavimento em boas condições de serventia. No que diz respeito ao desempenho hidráulico, o pavimento apresentou um desempenho adequado em termos de capacidade de infiltração. Apesar da perda progressiva estimada em 20% ao ano, as taxas de infiltração in situ mantiveram-se acima de 10-3 m/s em todos os ensaios realizados, sendo, portanto, superior à maioria dos revestimentos permeáveis tradicionalmente utilizados como os blocos intertravados e a camada porosa de atrito, conforme descritos pela literatura. / Pervious pavements have become increasingly fundamental as a compensatory measure to attenuate peak flows and to mitigate the impacts generated by torrential storm water in highly urbanized areas. Among the usual materials applied in permeable surface layers, it is possible to highlight the interlocking concrete blocks (ICB) and the porous asphalt. However, internationally, there are alternative materials that are able to present a higher permeability. In this sense, the use of articulated concrete blocks (ACB) needs to be stressed. Recently adopted in United States of America and South Korea, ACB has presented promising infiltration rates. Unlike the ICB, the ACB was designed to work as an integrated framework due to the presence of articulated joints in one of the block directions, which allows discarding the jointing sand and as result, increases water infiltration. Nevertheless, although the pavement hydraulic performance seems to be successful, there are some doubts about the structural behavior. Thereby, aiming at evaluating the hydraulic and structural performance of an unidirectionally articulated concrete block pavement, a pavement experimental section (20 x 5 meters) was constructed at the University of São Paulo Campus. Two types of different bases were applied, namely recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) and natural aggregate. The structural assessment took into account the maximum deflection measurements, the load transfer efficiency (LTE) and the backcalculated elastic moduli of each layer. In addition, this work also evaluated the structural influence caused by the presence of damaged pavers, since it became a recurring problem. Regarding the hydraulic evaluation, the surface infiltration rate was monitored over twenty months after the pavement construction. Furthermore, functional and laboratorial analyses were carried out in order to check the structure serviceability level. The structural results indicated clearly that the articulated block side had better performance than the non-articulated block side in terms of elastic moduli, maximum deflections measurements and LTE, confirming the interlocking efficiency generated by the block shape, comparable to that one provided by the jointing sand in ICB. As the recycled aggregate was characterized by a more well graded particle size distribution than the natural aggregate, the RCA base also presented better structural responses. The presence of damaged blocks did not compromise the pavement structural performance, since the degree of severity was low, as verified by the functional evaluation, which showed a pavement in good conditions. Finally, concerning the hydraulic results, the pavement presented a high infiltration capacity. Even though an infiltration loss of about 20% per year has been detected, the infiltration rate remained greater than 10-3 m/s for all tests performed, being considerably higher than those found in pavements built with both interlocking concrete blocks and with porous asphalt, as reported in the literature.

Muito embora a micro e a macrotextura dos pavimentos sejam importantes para o tráfego seguro, principalmente em condição de pista molhada e com velocidades superiores a 50 km/h, nos locais de acidentes de trânsito no Brasil esses parâmetros não são avaliados quando das perícias técnicas. Assim, o objetivo principal desta tese é estabelecer critérios de avaliação de pavimentos asfálticos que possam integrar um protocolo para a perícia técnica em locais de acidentes de trânsito. Foi baseada em coleta de dados de micro e de macrotextura dos revestimentos asfálticos em três rodovias no Estado do Paraná, num total de 106 locais, e em quatro vias urbanas na cidade de Londrina-PR, num total de 148 locais, todas com velocidades permitidas iguais ou superiores a 50 km/h, especificamente em trechos onde ocorreram acidentes de trânsito, o que permitiu a determinação da aderência na interface pneu/pavimento, se os valores encontram-se dentro das faixas de aceitabilidade do DNIT, da ANTT e da ARTESP e se houve efetiva contribuição do pavimento para a ocorrência e para a severidade dos acidentes. Dos 106 acidentes rodoviários analisados, em 19 deles as alturas médias de mancha de areia, parâmetro empregado para avaliar a macrotextura, apresentaram-se com valor inferior ao mínimo recomendado (0,60 mm), enquanto que dos 148 acidentes ocorridos em vias urbanas, 22 ocorreram em trechos com alturas médias de mancha de areia também inferiores ao valor mínimo recomendado. Nesses casos também foram realizados ensaios de microtextura, com uso do pêndulo britânico, e posteriormente foram calculados os valores do Índice de Atrito Pneu-Pavimento Internacional (International Friction Index, IFI). Os resultados e as análises deste trabalho indicam que uma melhor condição de macrotextura pode reduzir entre 6% e 19% as energias cinéticas envolvidas nos acidentes em rodovias e de 3% a 11% em vias urbanas, com real possibilidade de redução tanto das avarias produzidas nos veículos quanto, principalmente, das lesões nas vítimas. Dada a importância da micro e da macrotextura, recomenda-se que o protocolo de avaliação de pavimentos para perícias técnicas em locais de acidentes de trânsito em rodovias e em vias urbanas estabeleça a realização dos ensaios de Pêndulo Britânico e de Mancha de Areia em até 24 horas após o evento e que a área a ser levantada contemple toda a extensão das marcas de frenagem dos veículos envolvidos ou, no caso de inexistência de marcas, que compreenda uma extensão de 10 a 70 metros, respectivamente para vias com velocidade máxima permitida de 40 km/h e de 120 km/h. Espera-se, complementarmente, que um protocolo com critérios simples e objetivos, como o desenvolvido neste trabalho, permita a adoção de políticas públicas preventivas, de maior alcance e periodicidade, com as avaliações não somente nos trechos onde ocorrem acidentes, mas ao longo das vias. / Although the micro and macro textures of pavements are important factors for safe driving, especially on wet tracks and with speeds above 50 km/h, such parameters are not even evaluated during technical inspections in traffic accident sites in Brazil. Thus, the main purpose of this thesis is to establish criteria for the evaluation of asphalt pavements that may become integral part of a protocol for technical inspection in traffic accident sites. This work is based on the collection of data concerning the micro and macro texture of asphalt pavements on three roads in the State of Paraná, totaling 106 locations, and on four urban streets in the city of Londrina, State of Paraná, totaling 148 locations. All such locations have a speed limit of equal to or higher than 50 km/h, especially on the sites where traffic accidents occurred, which allowed for the determination of the tire/pavement adherence, and whether the values found were in accordance with the acceptable levels established by DNIT, ANTT and ARTESP, and whether there was effective contribution on the part of the pavement for the occurrence as well as the severity of the accidents. Out of the 106 road accidents that were analyzed, it was observed that in 19 of them the average heights of the sand spot, a parameter used to evaluate the macro-texture, were lower than the minimum value recommended (0,60 mm), while out of the 148 accidents taken place in urban streets, 22 took place in areas where the average heights of the sand spot were also lower than the recommended minimum value. In the case of the accidents that occurred in places where the heights of the sand spots were lower than the minimum recommended, micro texture essays were also carried out by use of the British Pendulum Tester, and later the values of the International Friction Index (IFI) were calculated. The results and the analyzes of this work indicated that a better condition in the macro texture would reduce the kinetic energies involved in road accidents between 6% and 19%, and from 3% to 11% on urban streets, with the real possibility of minimizing both damages caused to the vehicles and especially the lesions on the victims. Given the importance of micro and macro textures, it is recommended that the protocol for the evaluation of pavements for the purpose of technical inspection in traffic accident sites both on roads and urban streets require the carrying out of the British Pendulum Tester and the Sand Spot within 24 hours of the time of the accident and that the area to be tested should include the entire extension of the braking skid marks of the vehicles involved in the accident, or, in the case of inexistence of such marks, covering 10 to 70 meters, respectively, for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 40 km/h, and for locations where the permitted maximum speed is 120 km/h. It is additionally expected that a protocol having simple yet objective criteria, such as the ones developed in this work, will allow for the adoption of preventive public policies, having greater scope and periodical applications, not only on sites where accidents take place, but also on the entirety of roads and streets.

A infraestrutura de transportes traz benefícios sociais e econômicos, porém traz também inevitáveis impactos ambientais que não podem ser negligenciados, como supressão da vegetação local e poluição atmosférica. Esses impactos ambientais podem ser quantificados e analisados pela técnica Avaliação do Ciclo de Vida (ACV), que cria a possibilidade de contemplar o aspecto ambiental na tomada de decisões e pode trazer melhor compreensão da cadeia produtiva. Na última década, é crescente a utilização dessa técnica na área de pavimentação, entretanto ainda é pouco usual no Brasil. O objetivo dessa dissertação é avaliar os impactos ambientais produzidos por duas técnicas de restauração de pavimentos asfálticos, comparando-se os resultados de ACV que observaram as fases de produção de materiais e de transportes. Dois cenários de restauração foram estudados, o primeiro considerou uma mistura asfáltica composta exclusivamente por materiais virgens (restauração convencional), e o segundo, considerou uma mistura asfáltica composta por 35% de Reciclado de Pavimento Asfáltico (RPA). As ACV foram procedidas de três maneiras distintas: (a) com o banco de dados e software alemão GaBi e o método EDIP 1997, (b) com o banco de dados da USLCI e pelo método do EDIP 1997, e (c) com software PavementLCA e o método TRACI. Os resultados obtidos a partir dos três diferentes procedimentos indicaram que a restauração com RPA apresentou redução dos impactos ambientais potencias quando comparada com a restauração convencional. Observou-se também que, para a maioria das análises, a atividade que mais contribuiu para os impactos das duas estratégias de restauração foi a de produção dos materiais. A análise de sensibilidade dos resultados obtidos com o GaBi e com o USLCI mostrou diferenças consideráveis, causadas pelas diferentes fontes de dados. Apesar de ser uma técnica em crescimento, a ACV ainda apresenta limitações quando aplicada a pavimentos, sobretudo, pela complexidade de seu ciclo de vida e pelas incertezas que envolvem sua elaboração, assim, estudos sobre ACV devem continuar, a fim de padronizar a técnica para a área e, com o tempo, obter resultados cada vez mais precisos. / Transportation infrastructure brings social and economic benefits, but it also brings unavoidable environmental impacts that can not be neglected, such as suppression of local vegetation and air pollution. These environmental impacts can be quantified and analyzed by the Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) technique, which creates the possibility of contemplating the environmental aspect in decision making and can provide a better understanding of the production chain. In the last decade, the use of this technique in the area of pavement is increasing, although not very usual in Brazil. The goal of this thesis is to analyze the environmental impacts produced by two asphalt pavement rehabilitation techniques, comparing the LCA results of material production and transportation phases. Two rehabilitation scenarios were studied, the first one considering an asphalt mixture composed exclusively by raw materials (conventional rehabilitation), and the second one considered an asphalt mixture composed by 35% of Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP). The LCA was done in three different ways: (a) with the German database and software GaBi and the EDIP 1997 method, (b) with the USLCI database and the EDIP 1997 method, and (c) with PavementLCA software and the TRACI method. The results obtained from the three different procedures indicated that the rehabilitation with RPA showed reduction of the potential environmental impacts when compared with the conventional rehabilitation. It was also observed that for the majority of the analysis, the activity that contributed the most to the impacts of the two rehabilitation strategies was the material production one. The sensitivity analysis of the results obtained with GaBi and with USLCI showed considerable differences in their values, caused by the different data sources. Although it is a growing technique, LCA still presents limitations when applied to pavements, mainly due to the complexity of its life cycle and the uncertainties involved in its elaboration, so studies about LCA should continue with the aim of standardizing the technique for the area and, over time, achieve increasingly more accurate results.

Chevron pavement markings have seen rising interest in the United States as a means to reduce speeds at high-speed locations and improve safety performance. In Atlanta, there are two freeway-to-freeway ramps where chevron markings are being used. A previous study analyzed before-and-after speed data at these ramps and found only a modest reduction on overall vehicle speeds. However, a cursory crash analysis indicated that the ramps had crash reductions of over 60%, suggesting that safety benefits exist even though vehicle speeds are not significantly affected. This research aims to evaluate the safety performance of chevron markings on the two ramps in Atlanta, GA in order to quantify the potential impact of the treatment on safety and to understand the mechanism by which the treatment influences safety. This thesis begins with a literature review covering topics in human factors in safety, past uses of different types of pavement markings, and methods in using crash databases and police reports in accident studies. Next, the thesis presents an in-depth before and after analysis of crash data from crash databases and police reports provided by the Georgia Department of Transportation. And finally, the thesis concludes with a summary of findings and a discussion of further research needs. The results verified that there were 73% and 61% crash reductions in the two study ramps. Chevron markings appear to have benefitted all types of crashes and that they are possibly serving as a warning to drivers of potential upcoming hazards. Unavailability of a number of police reports and errors in crash databases were limitations to this study, and ultimately, new sites should be selected carefully and further studies need to be performed to better understand the treatment's benefits.

Skidding contributes to up to 35% of wet pavement accidents. Pavement surface friction therefore is an important component of highway safety. The skid resistance also varies seasonally and reduces over time due to surface polishing. These leave the pavement in a state of increased risk of skidding accidents. An adequate surface friction that accommodates the seasonal and long term variations is essential for safety over the pavement surface service life. The resistance to skidding, however, depends on surface microtexture and macrotexture. Alternatively, increased texture aimed at increased and durable surface friction may affect the noise generated on the road. In fact, traffic noise is a growing problem throughout the world. Noise barriers, traditionally used for noise reduction, are expensive and inefficient in some cases. As the pavement surface characteristics play a key role in noise generation and propagation, it provides a window for noise reduction by altering the pavement surface. The challenge, however, is to provide a smooth, quiet, long-lasting, and economic pavement with adequate and durable surface friction. This research has been directed to address this challenge and to provide a realistic guideline. The tire-pavement noise, sound absorption, and skid resistance performances of various flexible and rigid pavement surfaces have been examined using the field and laboratory test data. Models for the prediction of pavement skid resistance including the seasonal and long term variations have also been developed correlating the influencing factors. A value engineering approach has been proposed to accommodate the construction and maintenance costs, longevity, smoothness, safety and noise in the selection of pavement surfaces.

Virgin aggregate is being used faster than it is being made available creating a foreseeable shortage in the future. Despite this trend, the availability of demolished concrete for use as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is increasing. Using this waste concrete as RCA conserves virgin aggregate, reduces the impact on landfills, decreases energy consumption and can provide cost savings. However, there are still many unanswered questions on the beneficial use of RCA in concrete pavements. This research addresses the many technical and cost-effective concerns regarding the use of RCA in concrete pavements by identifying concrete mixture and proportioning designs suitable for jointed plain concrete pavements; constructing test sections using varying amounts of RCA; monitoring performance through testing, condition surveys and sensor data; modeling RCA pavement performance; and predicting life cycle costs. The research was carried out as a partnership between the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) at the University of Waterloo, the Cement Association of Canada, Dufferin Construction, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The literature review provides an overview of sustainability and key performance indicators, the material properties of RCA both as an aggregate and in concrete, concrete mixture and proportioning designs with RCA, performance of existing RCA pavements, and the implementation of RCA highlighting some examples where RCA has been used successfully. Twelve preliminary mixes were developed using three total cementitious contents amounts of 315 kg/m3, 330 kg/m3, and 345 kg/m3 to determine four suitable mixes with varying coarse RCA contents (0%, 15%, 30% and 50%) to place at the CPATT test track. At 28-days, all of the twelve mixes exceed the 30 MPa design strength. Four test sections containing 0%, 15%, 30% and 50% coarse RCA were constructed in June 2007. The test sections had identical cross sections consisting of 250 mm portland cement concrete (PCC), 100 mm asphalt-stabilized OGDL and a 450 mm granular base. For each coarse RCA content, one slab was instrumented with six vibrating wire concrete embedment strain gages to measure long-term longitudinal and transverse strain due to environmental changes, two vibrating wire vertical extensometers to monitor slab curling and warping, two vibrating wire inter-panel extensometers to monitor joint movement, and two maturity meters to measure maturity and temperature. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) testing showed that the mixes containing RCA exhibited similar or improved performance when compared to the conventional concrete for compressive and flexural strength, freeze-thaw durability and coefficient of thermal expansion. Pavement performance of the four test sections was evaluated using visual surveys following the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Manual for Condition rating of Rigid Pavements. Nine pavement evaluations have been performed every two to four months since construction. All test sections are in excellent condition with pavement condition index (PCI) values greater than 85 after two years in-service and approximately three hundred thousand Equivalent Single Axle Loads. Sensor data from the strain gauges, and vertical and inter-panel extensometers are providing consistent results between the test sections. Long-term performance modeling using the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (ME-PDG) showed improved performance with respect to cracked slabs, joint faulting, and pavement roughness as the RCA content increased. Multivariable sensitivity analysis showed that the performance results were sensitive to CTE, unit weight, joint spacing, edge support, surface absorption, and dowel bar diameter. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) illustrated the savings that can be expected using RCA as a replacement aggregate source as the cost of virgin aggregate increase as the sources becomes depleted. Multivariable sensitivity analysis showed that the LCCA results were sensitive to construction costs, discount rate, and maintenance and rehabilitation quantities.

Skidding contributes to up to 35% of wet pavement accidents. Pavement surface friction therefore is an important component of highway safety. The skid resistance also varies seasonally and reduces over time due to surface polishing. These leave the pavement in a state of increased risk of skidding accidents. An adequate surface friction that accommodates the seasonal and long term variations is essential for safety over the pavement surface service life. The resistance to skidding, however, depends on surface microtexture and macrotexture. Alternatively, increased texture aimed at increased and durable surface friction may affect the noise generated on the road. In fact, traffic noise is a growing problem throughout the world. Noise barriers, traditionally used for noise reduction, are expensive and inefficient in some cases. As the pavement surface characteristics play a key role in noise generation and propagation, it provides a window for noise reduction by altering the pavement surface. The challenge, however, is to provide a smooth, quiet, long-lasting, and economic pavement with adequate and durable surface friction. This research has been directed to address this challenge and to provide a realistic guideline. The tire-pavement noise, sound absorption, and skid resistance performances of various flexible and rigid pavement surfaces have been examined using the field and laboratory test data. Models for the prediction of pavement skid resistance including the seasonal and long term variations have also been developed correlating the influencing factors. A value engineering approach has been proposed to accommodate the construction and maintenance costs, longevity, smoothness, safety and noise in the selection of pavement surfaces.

Virgin aggregate is being used faster than it is being made available creating a foreseeable shortage in the future. Despite this trend, the availability of demolished concrete for use as recycled concrete aggregate (RCA) is increasing. Using this waste concrete as RCA conserves virgin aggregate, reduces the impact on landfills, decreases energy consumption and can provide cost savings. However, there are still many unanswered questions on the beneficial use of RCA in concrete pavements. This research addresses the many technical and cost-effective concerns regarding the use of RCA in concrete pavements by identifying concrete mixture and proportioning designs suitable for jointed plain concrete pavements; constructing test sections using varying amounts of RCA; monitoring performance through testing, condition surveys and sensor data; modeling RCA pavement performance; and predicting life cycle costs. The research was carried out as a partnership between the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) at the University of Waterloo, the Cement Association of Canada, Dufferin Construction, and the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada. The literature review provides an overview of sustainability and key performance indicators, the material properties of RCA both as an aggregate and in concrete, concrete mixture and proportioning designs with RCA, performance of existing RCA pavements, and the implementation of RCA highlighting some examples where RCA has been used successfully. Twelve preliminary mixes were developed using three total cementitious contents amounts of 315 kg/m3, 330 kg/m3, and 345 kg/m3 to determine four suitable mixes with varying coarse RCA contents (0%, 15%, 30% and 50%) to place at the CPATT test track. At 28-days, all of the twelve mixes exceed the 30 MPa design strength. Four test sections containing 0%, 15%, 30% and 50% coarse RCA were constructed in June 2007. The test sections had identical cross sections consisting of 250 mm portland cement concrete (PCC), 100 mm asphalt-stabilized OGDL and a 450 mm granular base. For each coarse RCA content, one slab was instrumented with six vibrating wire concrete embedment strain gages to measure long-term longitudinal and transverse strain due to environmental changes, two vibrating wire vertical extensometers to monitor slab curling and warping, two vibrating wire inter-panel extensometers to monitor joint movement, and two maturity meters to measure maturity and temperature. Quality assurance and quality control (QA/QC) testing showed that the mixes containing RCA exhibited similar or improved performance when compared to the conventional concrete for compressive and flexural strength, freeze-thaw durability and coefficient of thermal expansion. Pavement performance of the four test sections was evaluated using visual surveys following the Ontario Ministry of Transportation’s Manual for Condition rating of Rigid Pavements. Nine pavement evaluations have been performed every two to four months since construction. All test sections are in excellent condition with pavement condition index (PCI) values greater than 85 after two years in-service and approximately three hundred thousand Equivalent Single Axle Loads. Sensor data from the strain gauges, and vertical and inter-panel extensometers are providing consistent results between the test sections. Long-term performance modeling using the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (ME-PDG) showed improved performance with respect to cracked slabs, joint faulting, and pavement roughness as the RCA content increased. Multivariable sensitivity analysis showed that the performance results were sensitive to CTE, unit weight, joint spacing, edge support, surface absorption, and dowel bar diameter. Life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) illustrated the savings that can be expected using RCA as a replacement aggregate source as the cost of virgin aggregate increase as the sources becomes depleted. Multivariable sensitivity analysis showed that the LCCA results were sensitive to construction costs, discount rate, and maintenance and rehabilitation quantities.