Evaluation of precast concrete slabs using a heavy vehicle simulator

Abstract

Precast slabs are considered an attractive pavement option for rehabilitation or reconstruction cases where traffic closures of less than eight hours are required. Benefits include long life expectancy of concrete cast in factory-controlled conditions and that fully cured precast slabs can potentially be open to traffic almost immediately upon installation, making them attractive for use on heavily travelled highways. This paper describes an accelerated pavement testing experiment conducted in California to evaluate precast concrete slabs through the use of a Heavy Vehicle Simulator. The experiment took place between June 2005 and September 2006, in a set of specially constructed precast slabs. Two sections were loaded in dry and wet conditions, one with load levels of up to 100 kN (using dual truck tires) and the other with load levels of up to 150kN (using an aircraft tire). The results obtained indicate that: 1). The evaluated system of precast slabs can be safely opened to traffic in the un-grouted condition, so that panels can be installed in consecutive nights rather than completing the entire installation at one time. 2) The life of this system of precast slabs, when used as detailed for this test, is estimated to be between 140 and 240 million ESALs, equivalent to 25 to 37 years of service, and 3). The failure mechanism was no different than that observed in cast-in-place jointed concrete pavements