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Implementing Rubblization Techniques on Severely Distressed Concrete Pavements

Rubblized (rubble) Concrete Conditions on One of the Worst Joints.

Project Summary

One major pavement rehabilitation problem in Texas and across the United States is how to economically repair Jointed Concrete Pavements (JCP’s) which have exceeded their design life and are currently in very poor condition. These roadways are rough and have multiple joint failures and broken slabs. TxDOT’s Project 0-4687, “Rubblization and Crack and Seat as Major Rehabilitation for Concrete Pavements”, which expired on August 31, 2007, evaluated the potential for using the rubblization process which has positive results in other states. Rubblization is a unique means of rehabilitating concrete pavements by in-place conversion of the old concrete pavement into a useable base. Rubblization employs machinery that breaks apart the concrete in place and leaves pieces small enough that reflective cracking problems are significantly reduced or eliminated. Project 0-4687 developed a series of field investigation techniques that will be performed to evaluate any projects’ suitability for rubblization. It followed both the construction and performance evaluations of US 70 in the Childress District and FM 912 in the Bryan District. Based on these experiences, Project 0-4687 developed a non-invasive field test procedure to evaluate projects to determine if there is adequate support for rubblization, identified methodologies for detecting subsurface water which must be removed by means of retrofitted edge drains, developed thickness design procedures for rubblization projects, and construction specification appropriate for Texas conditions. This project will not be restricted to jointed pavements; consideration will be given to sections of continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) which have reached the end of their design lives. The purpose of this project is to implement the findings of project 0-4687. The research team will construct two test sections as part of this project. The first will be on a heavily damaged section of US 75 in the Paris District. The research team will use the techniques in 0-4687 to design, construct and monitor a test section on this roadway. In this rehabilitation effort, the research team will minimize inconvenience to the travelling public, where needed, construction activities will only occur at night. At least four districts will participate in this project to determine if rubblization is an appropriate treatment for sections of JCP in their district. A second test section will be constructed in one of the other districts. Training workshops will be developed and conducted in a minimum of four districts. The results will be available for presentation at TxDOT Annual Construction and Maintenance Conference.

Project Number

5-4687-03

Status

Completed

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Project Details

Start Date

9/1/2015

Renewal date

9/1/2017

End Date

10/31/2018

Performing Institution(s)

Texas A & M Transportation Institute (TTI)

Research Team

RS: Tom Scullion

Sponsor

Project Manager

Chris Glancy

Contract Specialist

Patti Dathe

Amount Funded

FY16: $202,000
FY17: $200,000
FY18: $169,000
FY19: $9,530

Source

FY16 RTI spreadsheet 10/9/2015

Publications from this Project

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Functional Area

Construction and Maintenance

Index Terms

Rubble
Concrete pavements
Maintenance practices
Pavement distress
Pavement maintenance
Pavements
Reflection cracking
Service life

Lead University

TTI

Researcher

Scullion, Thomas

Geographic name

Paris, Tex.
Dallas, Tex.
Beaumont, Tex.
Childress, Tex.

TxDOT District

PAR

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Record Added:

10/9/2015

Record Updated:

1/25/2022 5:36 AM EST

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