Design Considerations For Jointed Precast Concrete Pavement Systems

In recent years, many agencies have started investigating strategies for pavement rehabilitation and reconstruction that are faster and can produce longer lasting pavements. Expedient rehabilitation that results in a shorter pavement lifespan is no longer considered acceptable by most highway agencies. A promising alternative rehabilitation strategy is the effective use of modular pavement technologies, principally precast concrete pavement (PCP) systems, which provide for rapid repair and rehabilitation of pavements and also result in durable, longer-lasting pavements. Rapid construction techniques can significantly minimize the impact on the driving public, as lane closures and traffic congestion are kept to a minimum. Road user and worker safety is also improved by reducing road users’ and workers’ exposure to construction traffic. The “Renewal” focus area under the Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2) emphasizes the need to complete highway pavement projects rapidly, with minimal disruption to highway users and local communities, and to produce pavements that are long-lasting. A goal of this focus area includes applying new methods and materials to preserve, rehabilitate, and reconstruct roadways. The effective use of PCP technologies for rapid repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of pavements addresses this goal. One of the projects funded under SHRP 2 is Project R05, Modular Pavement Technology. The objective of Project R05 project was to develop better guidance for use by highway agencies to design, construct, install, maintain, and evaluate modular pavement systems, principally precast concrete pavement (PCP) systems.. This paper presents the findings from the Project R05 study related to design considerations for jointed PCP. The design approach proposed for the jointed PCP systems is based on the recently developed mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide.