Development of the Next Generation Concrete Surfaces

In 2004 the ACPA, PCA, and IGGA cooperated in a research effort at Purdue University’s Herrick Laboratories. The laboratory’s Tire Pavement Test Apparatus (TPTA) is capable of testing any texture design and is not constrained by construction capabilities or costs associated with field test section construction and evaluation. The research focused on testing diamond ground surfaces, geometric patterns intended for new construction, and variables associated with transverse joint slap. The research resulted in the development of a ground and grooved surface termed the Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS). To date, seven NGCS test sections have been placed in five States in the US for long term evaluation. Purdue examined the noise levels associated with transverse joint slap as a function of fault level, joint opening size, and sealant recess level. The Purdue joint research was later used by Illingworth & Rodkin, Inc. to develop a model to predict the contribution of the volume of non-filled reservoir joint geometry in creating joint slap noise. The TPTA was also used to evaluate various geometric patterns imprinted onto the surface which could be considered for new construction. The geometric patterns examined were; spherical, circular, uniform and random waffle, diamond shaped, and random exposed aggregate.