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Message
Civil Engineers - Sectional Concrete vs. Continuous Asphalt Pavement
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:47 pm
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:47 pm
It seems like most new roads are finishing construction with poured concrete sections and expansion joints versus a continuous laying of asphalt. Most potholes I encounter are large spallings at the edge of the concrete sections, and they are huge. There is also a problem with edge unevenness from settling I suppose. What is the advantage of the concrete pours instead of running continuous asphalt? I’ll hang up and listen
21
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:50 pm to Power-Dome
Asphalt is only as strong as its base and Louisiana has terrible soil conditions for road bases. Also, once asphalt cracks, water seeps in and begins eroding the base.
Frankly, both materials have their place, but Louisiana's geology doesn't do either any favors.
Frankly, both materials have their place, but Louisiana's geology doesn't do either any favors.
This post was edited on 1/27/25 at 8:52 pm
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:51 pm to Power-Dome
Engineers design shite. Operators fix their mistakes
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:51 pm to Power-Dome
Concrete is stronger and requires less maintenance typically.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:52 pm to Power-Dome
Concrete is superior when done right. Concrete Texas interstates >>>>>> Asphalt Louisiana interstates.
Compare the work Texas is doing at the state line compared to the work Louisiana is doing. Texas looks good and Louisiana looks like cheap shite.
Compare the work Texas is doing at the state line compared to the work Louisiana is doing. Texas looks good and Louisiana looks like cheap shite.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:54 pm to Power-Dome
Properly designed reinforced concrete pavements will last decades.... IF the expansion joints are maintained.
Most DOTS don't have a maintenance program for the joints.
Most DOTS don't have a maintenance program for the joints.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:54 pm to The Boat
Texas can afford to do concrete because their highways aren't funded by a single tax that has remained stagnant for 40 years.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:54 pm to The Boat
Texas has been fixing from Beaumont to Orange for 50 years - MOFO is constantly under construction.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:55 pm to WestCoastAg
quote:
Engineers design shite. Operators fix their mistakes
So why don’t Operators start designing?
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:56 pm to Galactic Inquisitor
Also, the current leadership of Louisiana sought the head of the Asphalt Pavers Association to determine how DOTD should be run, so I wouldn't expect to see any concrete Renaissance for the next few years.
This post was edited on 1/27/25 at 8:58 pm
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:56 pm to Cleary Rebels
quote:
Texas has been fixing from Beaumont to Orange for 50 years - MOFO is constantly under construction.
Bout to wrap that up and once Louisiana is done I-10 will be 6 lanes from Columbus to Lake Charles outside of a couple of freeway interchanges.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 8:59 pm to The Boat
Orange will be under construction again - never been that way without some part under construction. Columbus had Percy Waddle when I played - bad MOFO
This post was edited on 1/27/25 at 9:01 pm
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:01 pm to Cleary Rebels
quote:
Orange will be under construction again - never been that way without some part under construction.
Better get ready for those fresh 6 lanes to Beaumont
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:10 pm to Power-Dome
I’ve often wondered this. Lightly traveled neighborhood streets in New Orleans should all be converted over time to asphalt. I have a civil engineering degree, but I think it is just common sense. A surface that flexes is obviously better than divided concrete, which causes violent collisions with your wheels as you go down the road. Properly constructed, though, requires a very thick layer (20 inches?).
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:34 pm to TSmith
quote:
which causes violent collisions with your wheels as you go down the road
Yes. I feel like my suspension is getting ripped out.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:34 pm to TSmith
I believe TxDot gives the contractors the option to price either when bidding.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:55 pm to Power-Dome
Soils have a lot to do with poor roadway conditions, it applies to both asphault and concrete. Concrete is more expensive in materials and labor than asphalt.
Concrete can be cut, doweled into and “patched” effectively if bad spots pop up. You can trench for any purpose (e.g. utility work) through concrete, re-pour the section and have no problems - asphalt is toast. Asphalt, once it starts to alligator crack, no amount of maintenance will keep it from coming back, or spreading.
Concrete runs into issues with poor base, drainage, same as asphault. As you mention, the expansion joints and smaller cracks (can occur naturally or from poor/lack of saw cuts) need maintenance/sealing which might be neglected.
Corners can be cut when mixing concrete (too wet) or not enough cement, etc. Testing is supposed to be done (slump test for water amounts, test cylinder destructive testing ) but I would guess on local roads this may not occur, especially if built by a developer. LADOTD/TXDOT would not tolerate sub par concrete mixture.
Concrete can be cut, doweled into and “patched” effectively if bad spots pop up. You can trench for any purpose (e.g. utility work) through concrete, re-pour the section and have no problems - asphalt is toast. Asphalt, once it starts to alligator crack, no amount of maintenance will keep it from coming back, or spreading.
Concrete runs into issues with poor base, drainage, same as asphault. As you mention, the expansion joints and smaller cracks (can occur naturally or from poor/lack of saw cuts) need maintenance/sealing which might be neglected.
Corners can be cut when mixing concrete (too wet) or not enough cement, etc. Testing is supposed to be done (slump test for water amounts, test cylinder destructive testing ) but I would guess on local roads this may not occur, especially if built by a developer. LADOTD/TXDOT would not tolerate sub par concrete mixture.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:55 pm to Power-Dome
Asphalt requires more maintenance so concrete is generally preferred on roadways with more traffic, thereby minimizing disruption to the traveling public.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 9:56 pm to TSmith
Now imagine that soil heaving with a flexible pavement.
Posted on 1/27/25 at 10:04 pm to Power-Dome
Someone, for the love of God almighty, please fix the massive 12” fissure in the 3132 entrance ramp to 49S in Shreveport
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