ABSTRACT

The production use of Precast Concrete Pavement (PCP) has come a long way over the last 15 years. Since the first new generation PCP projects were constructed during 2001, the technology is gaining wider acceptance in the US for rapid, typically night-time, repair and rehabilitation of heavily trafficked concrete and asphalt concrete pavements. In the US, the PCP technology is being used for intermittent repairs (full-depth or full panel replacement) and for continuous applications (longer length/wider area rehabilitation) with service life expectations of at least 20 years for repairs and at least 40 years for continuous applications, without significant future corrective treatment. Since 2001, many projects have been constructed in several US States by contractors with no prior experience in constructing PCP. Several States, including California, New Jersey, New York, and Utah routinely use PCP for pavement rehabilitation. Over the last fifteen years many advances have been made and continue to be made in PCP design, panel fabrication, and panel installation aspects of the technology. This paper summarizes the current US practices related to use of precast concrete pavement in the US and recent improvements for providing load transfer at joints and panel installation using bedding grouts is addressed. Also, a case study based on a major California PCP installation is discussed.