CONCRETE PAVEMENTS, NOW AND TOMORROW

The paper "Concrete Pavements, Now and Tomorrow" by Ronald L. Hutchinson provides an extensive review of concrete pavements in the context of the United States' infrastructure. Hutchinson discusses the historical and current usage of concrete in the pavement system, which encompasses highways and civil and military airports, highlighting the importance of concrete due to its frequent selection for heavy loads. The paper emphasizes the need for rehabilitation as the major future construction activity and examines the role concrete pavements will play in this context. The analysis includes a detailed look at existing concrete pavements, their performance under increased traffic and heavier loads, and the challenges they face such as deterioration due to environmental factors and loading conditions. Hutchinson reviews various design methods used over the years, particularly those by the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) and the Portland Cement Association (PCA), and discusses their limitations due to reliance on empirical data or simplistic theories that do not account for all variables affecting pavement performance. Looking forward, the paper forecasts that maintenance and rehabilitation will dominate future efforts rather than new construction. The need for innovative rehabilitation techniques is underscored, considering the aging pavement systems and the continuous increase in traffic volumes and loads. Hutchinson calls for enhanced research into pavement materials, design methodologies, and construction techniques to extend the life of pavements at lower costs and with minimal maintenance. The paper concludes by stressing the importance of a proactive approach to pavement management to sustain economic development and meet future transportation demands effectively. (Abstract generated by AI tool ChatGPT 4)