COMMON CHARACTERISTICS OF GOOD AND POORLY PERFORMING PCC PAVEMENTS

This report documents the analysis and findings of a study to identify the site conditions and design/construction features of concrete pavements (JPCP, JRCP, CRCP) that lead to good performance and those that lead to poor performance. Data from Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) test sections were used along with findings from previous and ongoing analyses of LTPP data. As there were no known criteria for identifying performance expectations over time as good, normal, or poor, a group of experts was convened to establish criteria. Separate criteria were developed for performance in roughness (IRI), joint faulting, transverse cracking, and localized failures (CRCP). Many significant site conditions and design/construction features were identified that lead to good and poor performance. The site conditions (traffic, climate, and subgrade) cannot be controlled by the designer, however, steps can be taken to mitigate their effects. Several design and construction features can be controlled or specified by the highway agency and these should be given careful consideration. Knowledge about the design features identified as being critical to concrete pavement performance will contribute to improved guidelines for the design and construction of long-lived PCC pavements.