CONCRETE PAVEMENT

DESIGN DETAILS AND

CONSTRUCTION
PRACTICES
A Training Course
National Highway
Institute

Federal Highway
Administration

SESSION 1
Overview

Introduction
Focus of concrete pavement design:
SLAB THICKNESS
Does slab thickness solve all concrete
pavement performance problems?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Distress Type?

Comprehensive Concrete
Pavement Design
More than just slab thickness
Direct consideration of other design
elements, e.g.,
Joint spacing
Load transfer
Shoulder design
Design pavement as a system

Overall Course Objectives

Recognize effect of design features on
performance
Select appropriate design features
Identify construction practices critical to
performance
Focus is on jointed plain
concrete pavements

General Design Considerations

Traffic
Design Life
Subgrade
Reliability
Climate
Costs
Other Factors

Concrete
Pavement Design
and Construction
Process

Select Concrete Pavement Type

Specific Concrete Pavement Design Elements
Subgrade Characterization
Drainage Design
Base Selection and Design
Thickness Design
Joint Design
Shoulder Design

Construction

Special Design
and Construction
Considerations
for Reinforced
Pavements

Course Content
DAY ONE
Course Introduction
Concrete pavement type selection
Subgrade characterization

Course Content
DAY TWO
Drainage considerations
Base selection and design
Thickness design
Joint design
Shoulder considerations

Course Content (contd)

DAY THREE
Construction considerations
Special considerations for
reinforced pavements (optional)

Course Format
Lecture/discussion
Workshops
Protocol:
Informal
Questions are encouraged
Class participation is essential

Workshops
Opportunity to apply course concepts
Most are computer-oriented:
Selection of k-value
Base and drainage selection
Preliminary thickness design
Final pavement design
Cost-effectiveness evaluation

Course Reference Materials

Concrete Pavement Design Details
and Construction Practices
Technical Digest
Concrete Pavement Design Details
and Construction Practices
Participants Workbook

Related NHI Courses

Techniques for Pavement Rehabilitation (No. 13108)
Portland Cement Concrete Materials (No. 13119)
Pavement Subsurface Drainage Design (No. 13126)
Construction of Portland Cement Concrete
Pavements (No. 13133)
Pavement Distress Identification (No. 13134)

http://www.nhi.fhwa.dot.gov

Summary
Comprehensive pavement design
More than just slab thickness
Selection/incorporation of design features
Overview of course
Course content
Format
Reference materials