Many maintenance and repair practices for concrete pavement often ignore the early sign of pavement structurally related deterioration. Consequently, repair measures are not employed until long after significant structural damage has taken place perhaps because evaluation methods are mainly based on visual distress and functional performance. The framework describedhere in outlines a simple and practical routine maintenance decision strategy based on the visual identification of various distress types and evaluation using nondestructive testing (NDT), which together are keys to applying timely maintenance activities. According to observed visual distresstypes, falling weight deflectometer (FWD), ground penetration radar (GPR), and dynamic cone penetrometer (DCP) results, an approach is outlined toformulate current information on pavement condition relative to selectionof timely repair t measures to insure that cost effective renewal can be undertaken in future rehabilitation efforts. Key routine maintenance activities are categorized into five levels: performance monitoring, preservative, functional concrete pavement repair (CPR), structural CPR, and remove and replace. Each level of maintenance is arranged for the use of repair treatments in a consistent, logical framework to ensure their effective and timely use and employment. Since the decision process is focused on monitoring the early stages of deterioration, it should result in more cost effective maintenance programs.
Abstract