Project Information
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE) has been found to be a very important factor in the performance of concrete pavement, and having more accurate CTE values for the actual mixture will improve the accuracy of performance predictions and evaluations of concrete pavement sections. As so, this project aims to refine the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) Standard Test Method for the Coefficient of Thermal Expansion of Hydraulic Cement Concrete. Subsequently, it involves leading and participating in a ruggedness and precision evaluation using various CTE equipment options: Pine, Gilson, and manual. During ruggedness testing, specimen size, initial temperature, time for temperature stabilization, water level, degree of saturation, and number of segments will be evaluated. This project also encompasses assisting AASHTO on modifying the standard test method and implementing the test method.
During the evaluation and testing of the Thermal Coefficient of Expansion (CTE) of concrete cores taken from many Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) test sections, it was discovered that the CTE is an important parameter in the design and evaluation of PCCP performance. The test method has been refined and improved. All of the LTPP CTE data are now available for each section in the Long-Term Pavement Performance Database. Many technical papers and reports have been written utilizing CTE data from the Turner-Fairbank Highway Research Center tests of PCCP cores. In addition, all the recommended modifications to the AASHTO T336, as well as the precision statement, have been approved by AASHTO and included in the standard test method.