Initial Results of APT evaluation of Roller-compacted Concrete Performance in South Africa

In conjunction with the Gauteng Department of Roads and Transport and Cosal Consultants CC in South Africa, the CSIR Built Environment is evaluating the applicability of Roller-compacted Concrete (RCC) as an option for the upgrading and rehabilitation of low-volume residential and provincial roads. RCC is normally constructed with a relatively low labor component and with heavy mechanical equipment, the main aim of this investigation has been to evaluate the structural performance of RCC constructed with a relatively high labor component using hand-operated equipment. In order to determine the structural capacity of the RCC, full-scale Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) tests were conducted in conjunction with Finite Element modeling of its behavior. This paper summarizes the provisional results from the first Accelerated Pavement Test (APT) carried out on the control section constructed in the regular fashion with normal, heavy construction equipment. Subsequent testing will include the evaluation of the labor-intensive constructed sections. With APT testing it has been proven that this type of pavement has performed exceptionally well in the dry state, even when constructed on a substandard support system. Initial indications are that the performance of this type of pavement has exceeded its predicted performance.