The use of glass fibre reinforced polymer (GFRP) bars as an alternative to steel reinforcement has considerably increased over the past decade. Design-related information is now available and can be adapted into the Australian design and construction practice. The results of technological research and field implementation in concrete pavements carried...
Construction – The Devil’s in the Detailed Design
Rigid pavement RFIs (request for information) and NCRs (nonconformance report) are an ongoing battle between contractors and designers. This is the frontline of construction phase services (CPS) and when not managed correctly, can lead to tension between contractors and designers, which can lead to breakdown of communications and affect construction...
Northern Connector – The paving journey for the first concrete pavement in Adelaide
During the Northern Connector tender, concrete pavements was discussed early as an option. Our concrete pavement solution became Lendlease’s primary submission with flexible pavement as an alternative as it provided increased local content and introduced new skills for the region. Following contract award, immediate planning for detailed jointing design, raw...
M1 Upgrade – Kariong To Somersby Project Lessons Learning
This presentation comprehensively reviews the Kariong to Somersby project. This project is one of three major M1 Upgrades with notable features including; Dual PCP, 33 years in service, 70 km north of Sydney, AADT over 60,000 and growing. Importantly, this is a capacity driven upgrade (widening not a rehabilitation). Key...
Low Noise Diamond Grinding Pacific Highway Trial
A Low Noise Diamond Grinding (LNDG) Trial was conducted across three sites on the Pacific Highway Upgrade, Nambucca Heads to Urunga section. This presentation outline the basics around LNDG, criteria for the trial, environmental considerations, analysis of results of the trial, summary of the outcomes, considerations and recommendations for future...
A Fresh Look at Pavement Life Costs
Whole of life cycle costing of pavements has not been revisited for nearly 27 years since 1990 by the Bureau of Transport Economics (now BITRE). Previously, asphalt pavements were considered to have a lower cost of construction but required regular maintenance (every 5 to 10 years) whereas concrete pavements are...
The important role materials play in concrete pavement design, performance, and service life
The materials that make up concrete have a direct influence on the decisions made during pavement design and construction, as well as the performance of the pavement in service. What happens when material performance varies from what was considered at design stage? What if we need to change construction methods...
Influence of Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag (GGBFS) Cement in concrete pavement mix designs
Roads and Maritime Services (RMS) pavement specifications require the use of Grade 1 fly ash and Ground Granulated Blast Furnace slag cement (GGBFS) for R82 – lean mix concrete subbase [1], and also fly ash and/or GGBFS for R83 – Concrete Pavement Base [2], where reactive aggregates are used. This...
How Runway Pavement Value Choices are Influenced by Construction Costs, Loading, Subgrade and Operational Considerations
In Australia, most runway pavements are constructed from asphalt, however the reverse is markedly true for the USA. Melbourne’s Essendon runway was originally concrete but was overlaid with thick asphalt many years ago. Asphalt runways at Melbourne’s Tullamarine and Amberley have some sections of concrete. This paper explores the determination...
The Case For Lower Strength Gain and Early Age Acceptance of Concrete for Road Pavements
The objective of this paper is to encourage informed discussion among concrete pavement engineers. In New South Wales there is a substantial length of contemporary concrete highway construction. A very large inventory of concrete strength results is available. These have shown that construction specification requirements are being significantly exceeded in...
Investigation on the effect of low carbon, low shrinkage, high flexural strength envisia® concrete on industrial floor and pavement application
The key structural element in most industrial enterprises is the concrete floor slab. The aim of floor design is to select the most economical thickness while considering sufficient reinforcement to control the amount and size of cracks to a level consistent with the intended use of the floor. However, one...
Intricacies Surrounding the Machine Placement of Concrete Pavements in Tunnels: Current state of Practice.
Transport tunnels built in Australia within the past 25 years have typically been designed and constructed consecutively. However, in recent years Australia (and Sydney in particular) is witnessing these projects being delivered concurrently, which are in turn diluting the skills pool across all facets of the industry. Sydney is currently...