Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

CHAPTER 1

INTRODUCTION
Rigid pavement is a pavement structure primarily made of Portland
Cement Concrete (PCC). which distribute loads through a series of layers, rigid pavements
rely on their high modulus of elasticity and structural strength to distribute loads over a wide
area. This characteristic minimizes deformation under heavy loads, making them suitable for
roads subjected to high traffic volumes and heavy vehicles.

1.1Material Composition:

o Constructed using Portland cement concrete (PCC), sometimes reinforced with

steel for additional strength.

o May include dowel bars or tie bars to manage joint movements and enhance
load transfer.

1.2Load Distribution:

o The slab acts as a rigid plate, spreading loads over a larger area of the
subgrade.

o The high stiffness of the concrete layer minimizes stress concentrations.

1.3Durability:

o Rigid pavements are highly durable and have a long lifespan, typically 20–40
years or more with proper maintenance.

1.4Types of Rigid Pavements:

o Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP): Contains contraction joints to

manage cracking.

o Jointed Reinforced Concrete Pavement (JRCP): Includes reinforcement to

reduce joint spacing and control cracking.

o Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP): No joints; cracks

are tightly held together by continuous reinforcement.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

1.2.1Construction and Maintenance:

o Requires precise placement and curing of concrete.

o Maintenance focuses on joint sealing, crack repair, and surface restoration.

CONSTRUCTION STEPS FOR CEMENT CONCRETE

PAVMENT SLAB

Preparation of sub grade and sub-base

The sub grade or sub base for laying of concrete slab should
comply with the following requirements; that no soft spots are present in the sub
grade or sub base; that the uniformly compacted sub grade or sub base extends at
least 30 cm on either side of the width to be concreted; that the sub grade is
properly drained; that the minimum modulus of sub grade reaction obtained with a
plate bearing test is 5.54 kg/cm². The sub grade is prepared and checked at least
two days in advance of concrete. The sub grade or subbase is kept in moist
condition at the time when the cement concrete is placed. If necessary, it should be
saturated with water for 6 to 20 hours in advance of placing concrete.

Placing of forms
The steel or wooden forms are used for the purpose. The steel
forms are of M.S channel sections and their depth is equal to the thickness of
pavements. The section has a length of at least 3 m except on curves less than 45.0
m radius, where a shorter section is used.

Batching of material and mixing

After determining proportions of ingredients for the field mix,
the fine aggregate and coarse aggregate are proportioned by weight in a weight-
batching plant and placed into the hopper along with the necessary quantity of
cement. All batching material is done based on one or more whole bag of cement.
The mixing of each batch commences within one and half minutes after all the
materials are placed in mixture.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Compaction and finishing

The surface of pavement is compacted either by means of a
power-driven finishing machine or by a vibrating hand screed. For areas where the width of
slab is very small as at the corner of road junctions etc. hand consolidation and finishing may
be adopted.

Floating and straight edging

The concrete is further compacted by means of the longitudinal float.

The longitudinal float is held in a position parallel to the carriageway center line and passed
gradually from one side of pavement to the other. After the longitudinal floating is done and
excess water gets disappeared, the slab surface is tested for its grade and level with the
straight edge.

Belting, brooming and edging

Just before the concrete becomes hard, the surface is belted with a two-ply
canvas belt. The short strokes are applied transversely to the carriage way. After belting, the
pavement is given a broom finish with fiber broom brush. The broom is pulled gently over the
surface of the pavement transversely from edge to edge. Brooming is done perpendicular to
the Centre line of pavement. Before concrete develops initial set, the edge of the slab are
carefully finished with an edging tool.

Curing of cement concrete

Just before the concrete becomes hard, the surface is belted with a two-ply canvas belt. The
short strokes are applied transversely to the carriage way. After belting, the pavement is given
a broom finish with fiber broom brush. The broom is pulled gently over the surface of the
pavement transversely from edge to edge. Brooming is done perpendicular to the center line
of pavement. Before concrete develops the initial set, the edge of the slab is carefully finished
with an edging tool. The entire pavement of the newly laid cement concrete is cured in
accordance with the following method: Initial curing; the surface of the pavement is entirely
covered with cotton or jute mats. Prior to being placed, they are thoroughly saturated with
water and are placed with the wet side down to remain in intimate contact with the surface.
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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Final curing; is done with any one of the following methods: Curing with wet soil exposed to
edges of the slab are banked with a soil free from stone is placed. The soil is thoroughly kept
saturated with water for 14 days. Impervious membrane method: use of an impervious
membrane which does not impart a slippery surface to the pavement is used. Liquid is applied
under pressure with a spray nozzle to cover the entire surface with a uniform film.

6 TYPES OF JOINTS:
Joints are the discontinuities in the concrete pavement slab, and help to release stresses due to
temperature variation, subgrade moisture variation, shrinkage of concrete etc. There are
various types of joints in concrete pavement, e.g. expansion joint, contraction joint, warping
joint, and construction joint. Fig. 2 schematically shows the position of various joints.

Fig. 2 Location of joints in cement concrete pavement

6.1 Expansion joints:

Expansion joints, as the name itself signifies, are intended to provide space in the pavement
for expansion of the slabs. Expansion takes place when the temperature of the slab rises
above the value when it was laid. It is normally a transverse joint. Expansion joints also relive
stresses caused by contraction and warping. Fig. 3 shows expansion joint in cement concrete
pavement.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Fig. 3 Expansion joint in cement concrete pavement

6.2 Contraction joints

When the temperature of concrete falls below the laying temperature the slab
contracts. If a long length of slab is laid, the contraction induces tensile stresses and the slab
cracks. If joints are provided at suitable intervals transversely, the appearance of cracks at
places other than the joints can be eliminated.

Fig. 4 shows contraction joint in cement concrete pavement.

6.3 Warping joints

Warping joints, also known as hinge joints, are joints which are intended to relieve warping
stress. They permit hinge action but no appreciable separation of adjacent slabs. Warping
joints can be longitudinal or transverse. A major difference between the warping joints and

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

the expansion or contraction joints is that in the former appreciable changes in the joints
width are prevented

A traffic volume study is an essential step in designing rigid pavements,

especially for infrastructure like highways, urban roads, and airport runways that must
support various vehicle types over extended periods. This study involves measuring and
analyzing the number, type, and distribution of vehicles expected to travel on the pavement,
focusing heavily on the frequency and weight of commercial vehicles, such as trucks and
buses, that exert higher stress on the pavement structure.

Fig.1 Traffic Volume Study For Pavement Design

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Understanding traffic volume is critical because rigid pavements, typically made from
materials like concrete, are designed to bear repeated loads without significant deformation.
These pavements are particularly durable, but their design depends significantly on accurate
traffic data. Engineers conduct traffic studies over specific time intervals and often categorize
vehicles based on axle loads, weights, and classes. Data on seasonal and daily traffic
variations, along with peak-hour loads, are considered to capture realistic use patterns.

The information obtained from traffic volume studies enables engineers to estimate the
cumulative Equivalent Single Axle Loads (ESALs) over the pavement’s intended lifespan.
ESALs are a standardized measure to account for the varying impacts of different vehicle
types, allowing engineers to predict how many equivalent loads the pavement will sustain.
This cumulative load directly influences decisions on pavement thickness, reinforcement,
material selection, and layer composition, ensuring the design is robust enough to prevent
issues like cracking, rutting, or faulting.

1.1Types of traffic volume study for pavement design

1.1.1 Annual Average Daily Traffic (AADT) Study

• Purpose: AADT represents the average number of vehicles passing over a section of
road per day over a full year. This is one of the most common metrics used to gauge
the typical traffic volume.

• Importance in Pavement Design: AADT is used as a baseline metric for

understanding overall traffic demand. It helps in predicting the general load demands
on the pavement, but for more detailed load estimation, additional studies are needed,
as AADT does not specify vehicle types or load distributions.

2. Peak Hour Volume Study

• Purpose: This study focuses on measuring traffic volume during peak hours (typically
morning and evening rush hours).

• Importance in Pavement Design: Peak Hour Volume studies help engineers

understand the highest traffic loads the pavement will experience in short time frames.
This information is critical for designing pavements in areas with heavy traffic, such
as urban roads and intersections, to prevent issues related to excessive load
concentrations during peak times.

3. Vehicle Classification Study

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

• Purpose: Vehicle classification studies categorize vehicles by type, such as passenger

cars, light trucks, heavy trucks, and buses.

• Importance in Pavement Design: Different types of vehicles impose different loads

on the pavement. Heavy vehicles, such as trucks and buses, exert much higher
stresses, and therefore, the presence and frequency of such vehicles must be
considered in the pavement’s structural design. This data helps in calculating
Equivalent Single Axle Loads (ESALs), which are critical for determining pavement
thickness and materials.

4. Axle Load Study

• Purpose: This study records the axle loads of vehicles, typically using weigh-in-
motion (WIM) systems, which capture weight data for individual axles as vehicles
pass over a sensor.

• Importance in Pavement Design: Axle load data is crucial for understanding the
impact of heavy loads on the pavement. Because the damage done to pavement is
exponential with axle load (a heavily loaded axle does far more damage than a lightly
loaded one), axle load studies are key to accurately predicting pavement life and
determining reinforcement requirements.

5. Traffic Growth Rate Study

• Purpose: Traffic growth studies project future traffic volumes, often using historical
data, population trends, and economic forecasts to estimate how traffic will increase
over time.

• Importance in Pavement Design: Since pavements are designed to last many years,
it’s important to consider how traffic volumes may change in the future. Growth rate
studies help ensure that the pavement structure can handle not only current traffic
loads but also expected increases, which reduces the likelihood of premature
pavement failure and minimizes the need for early maintenance or reconstruction.

6. Directional Distribution and Lane Distribution Studies

• Purpose: These studies examine how traffic is distributed across lanes and directions,
especially on multi-lane or divided roads.

• Importance in Pavement Design: In many cases, certain lanes (such as the right lane
on a freeway) experience heavier loads than others. Knowing the directional and lane
distribution helps in designing the pavement layers for each lane according to the

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

specific stresses it will encounter, optimizing material use and preventing uneven
wear.

7. Seasonal Variation Study

• Purpose: Seasonal studies look at how traffic volume varies throughout the year,
capturing changes due to factors like tourism, harvest seasons, or weather conditions.

• Importance in Pavement Design: Some regions experience seasonal peaks that can
significantly impact pavement wear. For instance, agricultural roads may see a spike
in heavy truck traffic during harvest, and tourist areas may have higher traffic in
certain months. Accounting for these variations ensures that the pavement is designed
to withstand these seasonal load increases.

CHAPTER 2

OBJECTIVES

1.To conduct traffic volume count studies at selected area.

2.To obtain vehicle count is calculated in terms of MSA.

3.To conduct tests on properties of soil which is collected from site.

4.To determine stability and strength of soil by CBR Test.

5.To design the thickness of layers of rigid pavement by using IRC:58, 2011.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

CHAPTER 3

LITERATURE SURVEY

4.1 Published: (March-April) 2020 Authors: Abhijeet Meshram, Anish

Bhute, Ashwini Salbarde, Harshal Pandav, Prashant Walke, Ruchali
Baitule, Vaishali Kadawe A LITERATURE REVIEW ON TRAFFIC
VOLUME CAPACITY AT ROTARY INTERSECTION

In this research paper the author is trying to say that the safe movement of the
vehicles, it is Very essential to understand the operational performance of the
roundabout. In this paper traffic volume is studied in different approaches by manual
method in PCU per hour and with as per IRC 65-1976 a rotary can handle a maximum
traffic volume of 3000 PCU/hour as IRC. In the present study the performance of
uncontrolled intersection will be studied. The individual vehicle entry capacity and the
overall mixed entry capacity for a particular maneuver are evaluated the capacity
gives them the fair idea about performances of intersection.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

4.2 Published: June-2018 Authors: Vishal, Roopa, Suresh, Shrishail, Prof.

S K Inganakal Traffic Volume Study of Kalaburagi, Karnataka

Traffic engineering uses engineering methods and techniques to achieve the safe and time
efficient movement of people and goods on the roadway. Traffic volume count can be done
by various method depending upon various factor like manpower available budget technology
instrument available magnitude of traffic data required or to be collected. Traffic volume
count is defined as counting the number of vehicles passing through a road per unit time.
Expressing traffic volume as number of vehicles passing a given section of road or traffic lane
per unit time will be inappropriate when several type of vehicles with widely varying static
and dynamic characteristics are compressed in the traffic.

4.3 Published: 2024 Authors: Zhaohui Lui, Shiqing Yu, You Huang, Li Liu,
Yu Pan A systematic review of rigid-flexible composite pavement

It is extensively utilized in various application include new rigid base asphalt pavement
rehabilitation of old concrete pavement airfield surface paving bridge and tunnel paving and
short subgrade section in mountain areas (fang et al.,2021; Metha et al.,2017; Xiong et al.,
Yavariand Balali,2015). This type of pavement is particular suitable for heavy traffic
condition in Chaina and is considered a perpetual pavement structure as the pavement
operation life extend the economic benefit throughout its entire life cycle become more
pronounced. Thee rigid base serve as the primary load bearing structure while the asphalt
layer play a circular role in distributing stress mitigating temperature stress and preventing the
rain water infiltration. The design theory and methodology of rigid flexible composite
pavement are discussed followed by a description of its structural and mechanical behaviour
characteristics

4.3 Published: 4 April 2020 Authors: Mr. Safal A. Wankhede Mr. Sujit
Ambagade Structural Evaluation of Rigid Pavement- A Review
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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

conducted structural evaluation of pavement by Assistance Professor Department of Civil

Engineering The study of effect of temperature effect, stress pattern for various condition of
pavement using ANSYS software is presented. These study results are compared with
conventional design method and required improvement in design are suggested. It is observed
that temperature caused stresses in long slab. And larger load caused critical stress at joint,
edge and corner of the slab. The pcc slab is expected to take up about 40kg/cm²
flexural stress.

CHAPTER 4

Methodology

Collection of
data

SOIL TESTS
GRAIN SIZE ANALYSIS
Traffic volume study
LIQUID LIMIT

PLASTIC LIMIT

Vehicles classification COMPACTION

CBR

Calculation in terms of MSA

Design of thickness of
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IRC:58,2011
Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Results &conclusion

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Tom V.Mathew and K V Krishna Rao 2007, Introduction to transport engineering, Ch-9
Rigid Pavement Design(NTPEL)

Teller, L. W. and Sutherland, E. C. , “The Structural Design of Rigid Pavements,” Public

Roads , Vol. 16 , Nos. 8, 9, 10 , pp. 145–158, 169–197, 201 221, Vol. 23 , No. 8 , pp. 167–
212 (1935, 1936, 1943).

Vescio, A. S., and Saxena, K. 1970, “Analysis of Structural Behaviors’ of AASHTO Road
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Al-Abbasi, A., Shalaby, A., 2021. Evaluation of composite pavement joints using the falling
weight deflectometer. Journal of Transportation Engineering Part B: Pavements 147 (2),
04021007.

Beskou, N.D., Muho, E.V., 2023a. Review on dynamic response of road pavements to
moving vehicle loads; part 1: rigid pavements. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
175, 108249.

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Design of Rigid Pavement and Traffic Study 2023-2024

Beskou, N.D., Muho, E.V., 2023b. Review on dynamic response of road pavements to
moving vehicle loads; part 2: flexible pavements. Soil Dynamics and Earthquake Engineering
175, 108248.

Cai, Y., 2016. Research on the Structure Behavior and Road Performance of Rubber Asphalt
Stress Absorbing Layer. Chang'an University, Xi’an.

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Dave, E.V., Buttlar, W.G., 2010. Thermal reflective cracking of asphalt concrete overlays.
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