EVALUATION OF PATCHING MATERIALS AND PLACEMENT TECHNIQUES FOR RIGID PAVEMENTS AND BRIDGE DECKS

The objective of this research study was to evaluate the performance of various types of advanced materials available on the market for use in partial depth repairs of potholes and spalls from concrete pavement. Three major material categories used for high strength and fast set criteria are: polymer concrete, elastomeric concrete, and cementitious mortar. Several types of composite specimens were tested from various patching materials. Laboratory compressive tests were first conducted for the composite specimens. Results were used to select the types of material to be tested for the performance evaluation at the University of Central Florida accelerated circular test track. Six patching materials along with Type II cement for a control section were identified. Fourteen potholes and two joint spalls were constructed on the test track. A total of 500,000 load repetitions of 44.5 kN (10 kips) wheel load was applied to the patches and spalls at the end of the testing project. This is equivalent to 762,000 load repetitions of 18 kips Equivalent Single Axle Load (ESAL). Some patching distresses such as debonding failure have been observed in the early stage of testing. The failures occurred because of obvious shrinkage due to temperature change throughout the day. Elastomeric and polymer concretes particularly had shrinkage problems and caused early debonding from the concrete slab. Failure from severe wearing, cracking and spalling was not observed in any of the patch materials. The two feathered-edge potholes, which are simulating realistic pothole conditions on the highway, have performed well. Recommendations for guidelines of patching materials are also included in this report.