Citation

Cox DW, Hassani A. Proc. Int. Tech. Conf. Enhanced Safety Vehicles 1992; 1992: 59-64.

Copyright

(Copyright © 1992, In public domain, Publisher National Highway Traffic Safety Administration)

DOI

unavailable

PMID

unavailable

Abstract

This article describes a technique for laminating reinforced concrete with bitumen to give the high load carrying capacity of concrete while maintaining the long term flexibility of bituminous pavement. This may prove an economic method of reconstructing existing roads to carry heavier axle loads without significantly increasing thickness of construction, as compared to conventional methods. The paving may also be appropriate for factory floors and runways. The paper discusses progress in design, testing, and construction methods. The typical 6 x 3 m slab tested consisted of 2 x 100 mm thick concrete laminae and 1.5 mm bitumen constructed over a model Winkler type subgrade of rubber pads. A 3 pad thick subgrade was used. Thin 6 m long x 150 mm wide x 200 mm deep transverse cross sections of the slab were also tested as beams and the results compared with equivalent solid beams on the same model subgrade. The slab was tested at traffic rates of loading by quickly lowering a 50 kN weight on to a plate on the slab and deflections taken at 0.04 second intervals. Under rapid traffic loading the laminated beams were only slightly less stiff than the solid equivalent beams. The stiffness of the laminated slab reduces appreciably with time of loading as predicted. The following were also studied: a) behaviour as the ground beneath subsides; b) stresses due to thermal changes; c) the mechanism of stress distribution; d) the effect of lamination on either shear or bending stress distribution. Advice is provided on materials used for construction, and on construction on steep gradients or in areas of subsidence.