Thickness Design of Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements
Thursday, April 21, 2011 at 10 am CST

RCC pavements are constructed as plain, undoweled, and unreinforced pavements. The structural behavior of RCC pavements is similar to that of equivalent conventional concrete pavements.This webinar will discuss thickness design theory, assumptions, and methods. Available design software that can be used to determine thickness of RCC pavements will be demonstrated. More information and registration.

PPI Shows Price Volatility

When it comes to making pavement decisions, material costs play an integral role in the analysis. According to the Bureau of Labor Statistics, the Producer Price Index shows asphalt prices are more volatile than concrete prices, as seen in the following graph. Since 1998 the price of asphalt has fluctuated greatly, reaching a volatility rate of more than 16 percent in 2008. This volatility hinders the ability for decision makers to accurately estimate contracts values, increasing the financial risk of construction contracts. Concrete prices have remained relatively stable, fluctuating below 4 percent, allowing contractors to more easily estimate true paving costs.

Volatile oil prices contribute to the volatility of asphalt prices, but are not the only factor, as can be seen in the graph below. As oil prices spiked in 2008, asphalt followed. As oil prices declined in 2009, asphalt remained elevated and continues to do so. One explanation is a shortage in the supply of asphalt due in part to technologies that refine oil better, thereby producing less liquid asphalt. Looking forward, higher prices for oil and strong demand may sustain higher asphalt prices as supplies remain low.

Read more on the new paving realities.

Canadian Study Shows that Concrete Pavement Lasts Longer, Saves Taxpayers Money

An independent study released in February by the Cement Association of Canada (CAC) and the Ready Mixed Concrete Association of Ontario (RMCAO) for the first time provides municipalities with the reference information they need to effectively compare the costs of concrete and asphalt pavements of equivalent design during their respective lifecycles. Intended as a resource for municipal engineers and roadway consulting engineers, the report, Methodology for the Development of Equivalent Pavement Design Matrix for Municipal Roadways, addresses the new reality of increased focus on both long and short-term cost efficiencies and establishes the lifecycle cost advantage of concrete pavement. It was commissioned by the two associations and prepared by the international consulting firm Applied Research Associates, Inc. More on the ARA study.

More information on the PCA Professors’ Workshop.

Roller-Compacted Concrete Draws Crowd at CONEXPO-CONAGG

More than 115 attendees listened to a technical session on "Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements: Applications, Design and Construction," at last month’s CONEXPO-CONAGG show in Las Vegas. The session was jointly presented by Wayne Adaska, director of pavements, PCA and Chris Tull, president, CRT Concrete Consulting, LLC. Adaska provided an overview on RCCP focusing on some the current design and construction practices. He also covered sections of the new Guide for Roller-Compacted Concrete Pavements. Tull followed speaking from a ready mix producer’s perspective and including several case studies on RCC use for county and city projects. A lively Q and A discussion followed the presentations with most of the attendees staying well past the designated cutoff time. For a PDF copy of the presentations click here.

2011 Webinars

Complete listing of conferences and training.