Title: Precast Prestressed Concrete Pavement

Author(s): N. H. Burns, D. K. Merritt, and B. F. McCullough

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 213

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 1-18

Keywords: expedited construction; post-tensioned pavement; precast concrete pavement; precast pavement panels; prestressed pavement; user costs

DOI: 10.14359/12743

Date: 5/22/2003

Abstract:
With traffic volumes continuing to increase on a rapidly deteriorating infrastructure, new methods are needed for expediting construction of durable, high performance concrete pavements with minimal disruption to traffic. One method, which has received significant attention in recent years, involves the use of precast concrete panels. Precast concrete panels can be cast and cured in a controlled environment, stockpiled, and set in place in a short amount of time, allowing for construction to take place during overnight or weekend operations. In March 2000, the Center for Transportation Research at The University of Texas at Austin completed a feasibility study which investigated the use ofprecast prestressed concrete panels for pavement construction. Following the feasibility study, a pilot project was initiated by the Texas Department of Transportation to test and refine these concepts on an actual project. Recently, consbuction of this pilot project was completed on a section of frontage road along northbound Interstate 35 near Georgetown, Texas. Although it was constructed without the time constraints and complexities that will eventually need to be considered for precast pavement construction, the viability of the concept for precast prestressed concrete pavement was clearly demonstrated and will ultimately lead to development of future precast prestressed concrete pavements.