Abstract

The closure of roadways for new pavement, overlays, or removal and replacement applications constantly causes traffic congestion. To minimize the effects of traffic congestion, this study assesses the feasibility of using a Precast Concrete Pavement (PCP) method in Indiana Department of Transportation (INDOT) pavement construction. The research investigated the state-of-the-art of PCP methods recently developed in the United States. The conventional concrete pavement methods such as Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP), including Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP), Jointed Reinforced Concrete Pavement (JRCP), and Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP), were reviewed and compared with the PCP methods. With the speedy construction and lower user impact cost of PCP, the PCP methods were further studied. It was found that Precast Prestressed Concrete Pavement (PPCP) is used in Texas and California; Super-slab method in New York; Full Depth Repair method in Michigan; Stitch-in-Time method in Colorado; and the Four-by-Four method in California. Their design concepts, field installation procedures, merits, pitfalls, costs and applications were evaluated. With all the comparative advantages and disadvantages, it can be concluded that it is feasible to use PCP in INDOT pavement construction. Based on the data collected and analyses on the PCP methods identified in this study, the Texas Department of Transportation's (TxDOT's) PPCP method possesses comparatively distinguishing merits. It is recommended that an experiment using the PPCP method on an INDOT demonstration project be conducted as soon as possible.