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A Self-Learning Manual - Institution of Engineers Mauritius

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A <strong>Self</strong>-<strong>Learning</strong> <strong>Manual</strong><br />

Mastering Different Fields <strong>of</strong> Civil Engineering Works (VC-Q&A Method) Vincent T. H. CHU<br />

Level One (Core FAQs)<br />

Part II: Concrete Road<br />

1. Why is the slump specified in concrete carriageway comparatively<br />

low (30mm) when compared with normal concrete (75mm)? (C1)<br />

The slump <strong>of</strong> concrete carriageway is purposely specified to be a relatively<br />

low value, i.e. 30mm. For concrete carriageway, traffic loads directly act on<br />

concrete pavement surface and therefore the surface strength is<br />

detrimental to its future performance. In freshly placed concrete,<br />

segregation (may be in the form <strong>of</strong> bleeding) occurs within the mixture <strong>of</strong><br />

cement paste and aggregates. The degree <strong>of</strong> resistance to segregation is<br />

related to workability <strong>of</strong> concrete. If substantial segregation is allowed to<br />

take place, then the relatively porous and weak laitance layer will be<br />

formed on the carriageway surface and the aggregates will concentrate in<br />

the bottom. Hence, concrete which has insignificant bleed possesses a<br />

stronger surface layer and is more abrasion resistant. Consequently, a<br />

small slump value is specified to increase the wearing resistance <strong>of</strong><br />

concrete and to achieve a suitable surface texture <strong>of</strong> concrete pavements.<br />

Moreover, a low-slump concrete facilitates the use <strong>of</strong> slipforms when<br />

constructing the concrete pavement. With concrete <strong>of</strong> a low slump value, it<br />

still remains its compacted shape and is not liable to deform when the<br />

paving machines go away. However, if a high slump concrete is used<br />

instead, the pavement surface would drop and the edges may deform<br />

readily.<br />

2. How can unreinforced concrete pavement function without mesh<br />

reinforcement? (PS1)<br />

For concrete carriageway, it is normally classified into two types: reinforced<br />

and unreinforced concrete pavement. The reinforcement in reinforced<br />

carriageway (in the form <strong>of</strong> mesh) is used for controlling cracking. Then<br />

one may query how unreinforced pavement can control cracking without<br />

the use <strong>of</strong> mesh reinforcement. To answer this question, one should pay<br />

attention to the features <strong>of</strong> unreinforced concrete pavement. In accordance<br />

with Highways Standard Drawing No. H1109, an approximately 3mm wide<br />

groove with a depth <strong>of</strong> about one-third to one-fourth <strong>of</strong> slab thickness is<br />

designed with a regular spacing (normally 5m). The grooves are designed<br />

to be too narrow for stones to fall into when the cracks are open due to<br />

concrete contraction. The sectional area in which the groove is located is a<br />

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