Evaluation and Decision Strategies for the Routine Maintenance of Concrete Pavement 117 Evaluation and Decision Strategies for the Routine Maintenance of Concrete Pavement

This paper is to provide assistance for the pavement evaluation and selection of method of repair for routine maintenance relative to the extension of service life. The visual identification of various distress types is discussed, and evaluation techniques using nondestructive testing are introduced that are key to determining proper routine maintenance activities. According to the areas selected from the simplified checklist of visual distress types, ground penetration radar for detecting voids below the slab and the presence of trapped water, falling weight deflectometer for structural condition evaluation, and dynamic cone penetrometer for estimating the in situ strength of base and subgrade soils are used to provide current information on pavement condition for selection of needed repair methods using a simple, systematic decision process. During field investigations, poorly performing areas were identified and possible fixes determined as a means of guideline development. Key routine maintenances activities are categorized in five levels; performance monitoring, preservative, functional concrete pavement repair (CPR), structural CPR, and remove and replace. Each level of maintenance is arranged for the use of repair treatments in a consistent, logical framework to ensure their effective and timely use and employment. Since the decision process is focused on monitoring the early stages of deterioration, it should result in more cost effective maintenance programs