Achieving a High Level of Smoothness in Concrete Pavements Without Sacrificing Long-Term Performance

2005Kopac, PeterPDFTech Reporthttps://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/pccp/05068/index.cfmhttps://www.fhwa.dot.gov/publications/research/infrastructure/pavements/pccp/05068/05068.pdfFHWA-HRT-05-068DTFH61-01-C-00030Concrete pavementsPavement performanceSmoothnessPavingUnited StatesUnited States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentPerera, Rohan W.Kohn, Starr D.Tayabji, Shiraz D.United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Infrastructure Research and DevelopmentTurner-Fairbank Highway Research CenterKopac, PeterFederal Highway AdministrationIn a PCC pavement, it is important to achieve both a high level of smoothness during construction, as well as a satisfactory long-term performance. It is not acceptable to construct a pavement with a high initial smoothness that will give poor long-term performance. The design features and material properties of the PCC pavement should be conducive to yielding satisfactory long-term performance. Smoothness measurements for construction acceptance are usually performed shortly after paving is completed. The results from the smoothness measurements are used to judge whether the pavement has achieved the specified smoothness level. However, it is unclear whether the smoothness of a pavement measured immediately after it is paved truly reflects the initial smoothness of the pavement because the smoothness may undergo changes over the short term (e.g., within 3 months) due to curling or warping effects. This report: (1) assesses whether high initial smoothness translates into better long-term performance, (2) identifies design features and material properties in PCC pavements that can cause an initially smooth pavement to exhibit detrimental long-term performance, (3) provides guidance on materials properties, design features, and construction procedures to avoid these detrimental effects, (4) investigates how the smoothness of a PCC pavement measured immediately after construction can change over the short term (within the first 3 months), and (5) looks at data collection issues related to lightweight inertial profilers.79