RIGID PAVEMENT

Rigid Pavement Design

Rigid Pavement is required to be constructed at toll plaza location. At these locations, braking tendency remains to be high and therefore, impact loading is significant in the design. The pavement has been designed based on IRC: 58-2002 Design of Rigid Pavement and for design life of 30 years. The load spectrum from Axle Load survey has been considered for the design purposes.

 Table: Thickness of Concrete pavement

Layer Composition As per Technical Schedule (in mm) As per IRC:58-2002

(in mm) 300 200 200 500

Pavement Quality Concrete Dry Lean Cement Concrete Granular Course

300 250 200

Sub garde of CBR 10% 500

Subgrade material of 8% CBR at 97% MDD

 Rigid pavements are so named because the pavement structure deflects very little under loading due to the high modulus of elasticity of their surface course. A rigid pavement structure is typically composed of a PCC surface course built on top of either (1)the sub grade or (2) an underlying base course. Because of its relative rigidity, the pavement structure distributes loads over a wide area with only one, or at most two, structural layers

 This section describes the typical rigid pavement structure consisting of: Surface course. This is the top layer, which consists of the PCC slab. Base course. This is the layer directly below the PCC layer and generally consists of aggregate or stabilized subgrade. Subbase course. This is the layer (or layers) under the base layer. A subbase is not always needed and therefore may often be omitted.

SURFACE COURSE The surface course is the layer in contact with traffic loads and is made of PCC. It provides characteristics such as friction , smoothness, noise control and drainage. In addition, it serves as a waterproofing layer to the underlying base, subbase and subgrade. The surface course can vary in thickness but is usually between 150 mm (6 inches) (for light loading) and 300 mm (12 inches) (for heavy loads and high traffic). Figure shows a 300 mm (12 inch) surface course

PCC Surface

Rigid Pavement Slab (Surface Course) Thickness

BASE COURSE
The base course is immediately beneath the surface course. It provides Functions of base courses under rigid pavements:

(1) control pumping; (2) control of frost action; (3) drainage; (4) control of shrink and swell of subgrade; and (5) expedition of construction.

Base courses are usually constructed out of: Aggregate base. A simple base course of crushed aggregate has been a common option since the early 1900s and is still appropriate in many situations today. Stabilized aggregate or soil . Stabilizing agents are used to bind otherwise loose particles to one another, providing strength and cohesion. Cement treated base can be built to as much as 20 - 25 percent of the surface course streng.

SURFACE DISC

SURFACE VIBRATOR

PREPARE SUBGRADE

CONCRETING

THREADS ON FINISH CONCRETE SURFACE

CURING

GROOVE CUTTING

GROOVE FILLING CORK BOUND WITH BITUMEN

Features of rigid pavements:

(1) The rigid pavement, because of its rigidity and high modulus of elasticity, tends to distribute the load over a relatively wide area of soil; (2) A major portion of the structural capacity is supplied by the slab itself; (3) The major factor considered in the design of rigid pavements is the structural strength of the concrete; (4) Concrete roads and streets, when properly designed and constructed, are capable of carrying almost unlimited amounts of any type of traffic with ease, comfort, and safety. (5) Surfaces are smooth, dust-free, and skid-resistant, having a high degree of visibility for both day and night driving; and

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(6) The surface generally has low maintenance costs. (7) A wearing surface of Portland cement concrete usually consists of a single layer of uniform cross section that has a thickness of 6 to 11 in. and that may not require a separate base course, often being constructed directly on a prepared sub grade or sub base. (8) A new concrete base course may be constructed to serve as a support for one of the several types of bituminous wearing surfaces. (9) Old concrete pavements have been extensively used as bases for new bituminous wearing surfaces in many areas

Conclusions
Good roadworks ensure; Strong sub grade; Strong pavement layers; Adequate surface water drainage; and Appropriate road geometry.