The use of innovative technologies to facilitate rapid repair of concrete pavements: a case study for South Africa

Abstract

Paper presented at the 26th Annual Southern African Transport Conference 9 - 12 July 2007 "The challenges of implementing policy?", CSIR International Convention Centre, Pretoria, South Africa. ABSTRACT: Increasing traffic volumes and a travelling public that is becoming more and more environmentally conscious but intolerant to traffic delays, are common issues facing the authorities in urban areas across the world. This results in great pressure on engineers to develop more innovative ideas for long lasting pavement repairs. The situation in South Africa is no different albeit on a smaller scale relative to countries like the United States. Repair on the urban roads in Gauteng is becoming increasing challenging especially when no capacity upgrade has been undertaken for a number of years. This is particularly true for the Ben Schoeman freeway which is the main link between Johannesburg and Pretoria. This paper discusses some of the latest progress made in concrete technology as a result of these challenges. It focuses on the implementation of these technologies on the Ben Schoeman freeway from design to construction. Many of the concrete pavements in South Africa are nearing the end of their design lives and implementing new repair methods as well as sharing the good and bad experiences amongst practitioners, contractors and the client is becoming increasingly important if not a must.