摘要: |
Properly designed and constructed concrete pavements can provide 20-25 years of service life without significant maintenance. In recent years, however, cases of early-age problems and premature deterioration have resulted from use of incompatible materials. As concrete mix designs become more complex, the likelihood of incompatibility among materials will increase with the number of ingredients added to the mix. The problem is compounded because not much is known about the factors that lead to incompatibility, and tests are lacking to determine susceptibility of materials combinations to distress mechanisms. This article describes research aimed at developing reliable tests to identify incompatible combinations adversely affecting fresh and hardened concrete at early ages. The materials tested include cement, supplementary cementitious materials, chemical admixtures, and aggregates. Once test procedures are refined, the research team will develop protocols and guidelines to evaluate materials for specific jobs. Results will allow concrete producers and users to have greater confidence in the use of portland cement concrete for pavements and avoid use of marginal concrete for paving. The materials can be prequalified in labs to prevent incompatibility problems in the field, costly errors, and construction delays. |