Traditional equipment for construction of concrete pavement requires two additional lateral runs, which is caused by the position of moulding between the tracks of a tractor. It is not necessary to place the moulding at the rear of the tractor. The use of a floating table is the solution to this problem. This concrete tool is equipped with a rack of hydraulic vibrators, a rigid floating table, and two lateral formworks. It is pulled by two arms. Various experiments were performed at the Laboratoire Central des Ponts et Chaussees (Public Works Research Laboratory). The results showed that, (a) concrete behaves in the same manner as other compaction materials; (b) self-leveling and self-stabilisation of concrete were possible with a floating table; and (c) vibration and delivery of concrete are two parameters that require regularity. These results also show that this concrete tool is useful for laying concrete pavement. The concrete tool does not require the width that is necessary when traditional equipment is used; thus it operates successfully at zero clearance.
Abstract