Concrete Segmental Paving in Australian Container Ports - Achievements, Challenges and Opportunities

This paper reports a study of factors influencing serviceability and maintenance for concrete block pavements (CBP) currently in service in four major ports along the Eastern seaboard of Australia. Eleven container pavements built over a wide range of subgrades and fills and which had been in service for periods ranging up to about 20 years were examined. Loads ranged from those applied by front lift trucks, straddle carriers, transtainers and container stacking. An assessment of both the severity and extent of factors necessitating pavement maintenance is presented. Factors needing more emphasis during the choice of pavement and drainage details, in pavement design and in the detailing of CBP for heavy industrial use are then identified and discussed. A critical overview of current methods for designing CBP in ports is presented and the progress toward new Australian Standards for heavy duty paving is summarised. Finally recent developments in the technology of heavy duty paving are reviewed.