Evaluation of the Terminal Boulevard (SR 406) Concrete Rubblization Project

About the report:

In 2016, the Virginia Department of Transportation (VDOT) executed a contract to reconstruct portions of Terminal Boulevard (SR 406) in Norfolk.  The work consisted of rubblizing the existing continuously reinforced concrete pavement and placing 6 in. of asphalt mixture on top of the compacted rubblized concrete material.  The project limits were from the I-564 loop ramp to the intersection with Hampton Boulevard in the westbound direction and from the intersection with Hampton Boulevard to the bridge over the railroad tracks in the eastbound direction.

The purpose of this study was to document the current condition of the rubblized and reconstructed pavement on Terminal Boulevard (SR 406) and to generate baseline pavement performance information.  Laboratory tests indicated that the asphalt mixtures used were expected to be rut resistant and resistant to non-load related cracking.  Field tests using a falling weight deflectometer showed that the pavement section is structurally strong with a low deflection. AASHTOWare Pavement ME software showed a design life of 18 to 19 years for the pavement in terms of bottom-up fatigue cracking.  The analysis also predicted higher rutting than expected.  VDOT pavement management data showed an increase in roughness and rutting between 2017 and 2018, but the difference could be attributable to random variation from year-to-year testing.

The study recommends that the Virginia Transportation Research Council continue to monitor the performance of the rubblized pavement on SR 406 and report on its condition in approximately 3 and 5 years.  Any lessons learned during this time should be submitted to VDOT’s Hampton Roads District and VDOT’s Materials Division for review.

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