Development and early-age performance of an innovative prestressed precast concrete pavement

Use of precast concrete pavement (PCP) for rapid construction of roads has gained high popularity in the last decade. In this technology, precast pavement panels are cast in a precast yard, transported to the construction site, placed on a prepared subbase, and connected using dowel bars. This paper describes one such application, reported for the first time in India. Planning, analysis, design, construction, and testing of a 24-m road length was discussed. An empirical equation was developed to obtain the stresses induced in the panel. It also includes an innovative load transfer mechanism (LTM) using a lateral dowel bar arrangement instead of the commonly used longitudinal dowel bar arrangement. This LTM is easier to implement, helps to maintain good riding quality, provides faster construction speed, and does not compromise the load transfer efficiency (LTE). The load transfer efficiency of the newly developed LTM was found to be 97% 6 months after placement of the panels.