Performance of Precast Concrete Pavements

Precast pavement technology is a new and innovative construction method that can be used to meet the need for rapid pavement repair and construction. Precast pavement systems are fabricated or assembled off-site, transported to the project site, and installed on a prepared foundation (existing pavement or re-graded foundation). The system components require minimal field curing time to achieve strength before opening to traffic. These systems are primarily used for rapid repair, rehabilitation, and reconstruction of asphalt and portland cement concrete (PCC) pavements in high-volume-traffic roadways. The precast technology can be used for intermittent repairs or full-scale, continuous rehabilitation. As part of the US Strategic Highway Research Program 2 (SHRP 2), a study (Project R05) is underway to develop tools for the design, construction, installation, maintenance, and evaluation of precast concrete pavements. As part of this study, testing was conducted to obtain field performance data from selected precast concrete pavement projects constructed throughout the US. This paper summarizes the field test data collected from intermittent repair projects as well as from continuous application projects and presents the findings of the data evaluation.