Principal Investigator:	Neeraj Buch, Michigan State University
Funding Agency:	Federal Highway Administration
Period:	Three Years, on-going

Typical distress in a jointed concrete pavement slab	Preparation of the existing base layer
Installation of the pre-cast panel	Completed full depth repair using pre-cast panels

Abstract

An alternative to cast in place concrete patches is the use of precast concrete patches to address issues related to joint and slab deterioration. However, there is very limited laboratory or field data on the construction and performance of full-depth precast concrete patches. The use of precast PCC panels has the potential to address the key issues of urban pavement renewal such as: (i) reduced construction time (ii) increased long term pavement performance and (iii) reduced user delay costs. The use of precast PCC panels eliminates the time required for PCC curing, as well as offering numerous other benefits, including: (i) excellent quality concrete: high strength, low shrinkage and superior durability, (ii) Control of built in curling: no slabs with excessive built in curling and (iii) greatly reduced construction variability: uniform thickness and material quality. The objective of this federal Highway Administration project is to study the feasibility of precast panels as an alternative to in-situ full depth repairs. Approximately 200 precast panels will be installed and monitored for performance along interstates in Michigan and Colorado.

Resulting Publications

• Buch, N., Barnhart, V., and Kowli, R., "Pre-cast Concrete Slabs as Full Depth Repairs (FDR)," Transportation Research Record 1823, pp. 55-64, Washington, D.C., October 2003