Title: Internal Curing of Concrete Paving: Laboratory and Field Experience

Author(s): T. Friggle and D. Reeves

Publication: Symposium Paper

Volume: 256

Issue:

Appears on pages(s): 71-80

Keywords: internal curing; lightweight aggregate

DOI: 10.14359/20232

Date: 10/1/2008

Abstract:
The construction of a five-mile section of State Highway (SH) 121 north of Dallas is currently underway by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) and involves the conversion of a nonfreeway into a freeway facility. This technical paper presents the field experience for mixing, placing, finishing, and testing of slipform mainline concrete paving, utilizing rotary kiln expanded lightweight aggregate as both an intermediate gradation and as a reservoir to provide water to enhance the cement hydration of a typical paving mix. There is abundant laboratory research on internal curing of concrete including but not limited to numerous studies conducted at the National Institute of Standards and Technology.1 Construction of SH 121 represents the next logical step, following research, taking the laboratory to the field in the form of this major highway project. TxDOT anticipates higher strengths, leading to reduced paste content, reduced drying shrinkage cracking, and possibly less susceptibility to freeze thaw damage.