Use of Precast Slabs for Pavement Rehabilitation and Field Trial on Interstate 66

About the project:

VDOT received funding from FHWA’s Highways for LIFE program to support a pavement-rehabilitation demonstration project on Interstate 66 in Northern Virginia. The industry for some time has successfully employed the emerging technology of using precast slabs, both with and without prestressing, to rehabilitate distressed concrete pavement.

For this study, precast, prestressed concrete slabs and precast slabs without prestressing will be used, as well as some cast-in-place slab repair for comparison on a small portion of the road.  The researchers will document the following during the project: preparation of slabs, with and without prestressing; tests of fresh and hardened concrete; placement of slabs; connections with old pavement; connections between lanes; proper load transfer; and the post-tensioning of prestressed slabs.  The final report will include recommendations on monitoring and evaluating the future performance of precast slabs. 

Project Team

Co-Principal Investigators