TxDOT Research Library - Publication Details

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Title:

Best Practices for Concrete Curb and Gutter

Report No.:

Summary Report 0-5830-S

Authors:

by Moon Won [and two others]

Published:

2008

Austin, Texas

Texas. Department of Transportation. Research and Technology Implementation Office

Series:

Project Summary Report

Type:

Leaflet + Online document

1 leaflet (2 pages)

Online Access:

https://library.ctr.utexas.edu/hostedpdfs/txdot/ps...

Access Note:

58.8 KB

Summary

Currently, concrete curb and curb and gutters (CCCG) in TxDOT are designed and constructed in accordance with TxDOT Standards CCCG-01 "CONCRETE CURB AND CURB AND GUTTER." Even though CCCG-01 provides general directions for the designs of CCCG, there are deficiencies in CCCG-01 in providing structurally adequate design details such as reinforcements. Over the years, there have been a number of failures in CCCG, presenting potential safety issues and resulting in substantial amount of expenditures for the repair of failed CCCG. Improved design standards are needed that will provide structurally adequate CCCG that will withstand truck impact loading. This research study will evaluate structural adequacy of the current CCCG, with the objectives being to identify deficiencies of CCCG-01 and develop improved design standards. The items to be evaluated include the quality of concrete materials, reinforcement designs, geometric design (geometric size of curb), and construction issues. A number of forensic investigations will be conducted for failed CCCG systems. In the forensic evaluations, concrete materials will be evaluated for strength, in-situ reinforcement for bond development length and structural adequacy, and other issues will be critically investigated. Based on the forensic evaluations, a factorial experiment will be developed and a field experiment will be conducted in a test section. Steel strain gages will be installed in a number of locations of reinforcing rebars, and actual truck loading will be applied and level of steel stress evaluated. Also evaluated will be the required embedded rebar length by conducting pull-out tests. Since contractors normally place CCCG separately from Portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement, curing membrane on pavement surface might work as bond breaker, reducing structural capacity of CCCG. It will be evaluated whether removing curing membrane before the placement of CCCG by shot blasting will improve the structural capacity of CCCG. Another item to be evaluated is whether larger CCCG base width will enhance the structural capacity of CCCG. Currently, 6-inch width is used in all CCCGs. CCCGs with larger widths will be constructed and structural capacities be evaluated. Based on the evaluations described above, improved CCCG design standards will be developed. A companion training module will also be developed, providing the background and the proper use of the new standards. It is expected that the new standards and training module will help TxDOT design and construct structurally adequate CCCG systems that will provide intended functions without structural failures.

Publ. Place

Austin, Texas

Study Number

TxDOT Research Project 0-5830

Study Title

Best Practices for Concrete Curb and Gutter

Lead University

CTR