Author(s)
Wenjie Li ,Jinchao Yue and Bin Liang
Abstract
Concrete pavement rehabilitation methods have evolved significantly with the advent of innovative techniques such as homogenised micro-crack crushing and slag-based geopolymer grouting. These approaches address the deterioration of concrete pavements caused by ageing and environmental stressors.
While traditional rehabilitation methods like impact compactors and guillotine breakers risk damaging the road base, homogenised micro-crack crushing offers a superior alternative by preserving the pavement’s load-bearing capacity, allowing for direct asphalt overlay.
When road base weaknesses are identified, particularly voids and loose aggregates, grouting becomes crucial. This summary highlights the use of a newly developed indoor grouting test system to study the diffusion and consolidation characteristics of a slag-based geopolymer slurry. The tests revealed that aggregate size plays a key role in grouting efficiency:
larger aggregates (9.5–4.75 mm) allowed deeper slurry penetration and stronger consolidation compared to finer aggregates (2.36–1.18 mm), which showed limited diffusion and notable pressure filtration effects.Microscopic analyses demonstrated that slag-based geopolymers create dense, durable bonding with coarse aggregates, while some micro-cracking was observed with finer aggregates.
On-site applications validated laboratory findings; geopolymer grouting effectively filled voids beneath concrete slabs and significantly improved road base bearing capacity. Measurements showed a notable decrease in average driveway deflection, from 104.8 to 48 (0.001 mm), confirming the success of this concrete pavement repair strategy.
The use of geopolymers, which are rich in calcium and silicon oxides, offers rapid setting, early strength development, and environmental benefits due to the recycling of industrial by-products. Overall, these modern concrete pavement rehabilitation methods present a highly effective, sustainable solution for enhancing the longevity and performance of road structures.
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