AN INVESTIGATION OF THE USE OF ROLLER COMPACTED CONCRETE IN A HEAVILY-TRAFFICKED, HIGH-SPEED APPLICATION IN AUSTRALIA

This paper describes a trial of roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement in a high-speed traffic application in Melbourne, Australia. The trial was unique as the use of RCC has generally been confined to low-speed, heavy-duty applications due to the perceived difficulties in constructing it to a sufficiently high rideability standard when used as a wearing surface in high-speed applications. The construction of the pavement and problems encountered during construction are described, as are results of acceptance testing and other tests conducted on the mix. The results of an evaluation of the characteristics of the pavement surface since 1988 are presented in detail. Changes made to the materials and construction specifications as a result of the trial, especially with respect to compressive strength, moisture content, and construction techniques, are reported.