Slab Warping or Unevenness
If you have slab warping or unevenness, you need to perform:
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Conventional Diamond Grinding (CDG)
Conventional diamond grinding (CDG) is often used to create the smoothest and safest pavements available today. It is
appropriate for both new construction and existing pavement and can be performed at any time during a pavement’s life.
Diamond grinding removes a thin layer of the hardened concrete surface using a self-propelled machine outfitted with a series of closely spaced diamond saw blades mounted on a rotating shaft. Unlike diamond-impregnated carbide bits, which use impact to chip away the concrete surface, CDG blades use abrasion to gently remove the surface layer without the risk of introducing microcracking of the aggregates. After diamond grinding, the pavement texture consists of grooves and lands, with the grooves lying beneath the pavement interface.
CDG has been in use since the 1960s, with nearly 20 million square yards of pavement diamond ground each year in the United States alone. In addition to using CDG to improve the performance of existing, in-service pavements, several state Departments of Transportation specify diamond ground surfaces as the final surface on newly placed portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP).
Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS)
Next Generation Concrete Surface (NGCS) is the quietest non-porous concrete pavement surface available. NGCS is a hybrid texture that resembles a combination of diamond grinding and longitudinal grooving. It consists of a uniform land profile design with essentially an all-negative texture. Despite its flatter, smoother riding surface compared to traditional portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP), the NGCS still possesses and maintains reliable microtexture (friction) when constructed with quality aggregates. The longitudinal grooves provide substantial macrotexure and increase resistance to hydroplaning by providing escape channels that allow water to move out of the tire contact patch area.
Resources
FHWA Pavement Preservation Checklist Series: Diamond Grinding
This checklist for diamond grinding of portland cement concrete is one in a series created to guide state and local highway preservation/maintenance and inspection staff on the use of innovative pavement preservation techniques. FHWA uses its partnerships with different pavement preservation organizations including American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, and state and local transportation agencies to promote pavement preservation.
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Technical Info
Airport/Airfield, Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial, Race Track
Diamond Grinding
Friction/Safety, Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues, Tire/Pavement Noise
The Little Book of Profiling
The Little Book of Profiling covers three basic questions: How do profilers work, what can you do with their measurements and what can you do to reduce errors? The material is targeted at users. The intent is to make the material no more technical than is needed to describe what the measurers mean that you can get from a profiler.
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Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway
Diamond Grinding
Smoothness
Evaluation - Effect of Diamond Grinding & Grooving on Surface Characteristics of Concrete Pavements
This paper evaluates the effect of diamond grinding and grooving on various surface characteristics of concrete pavements. Measurements for texture, friction, and smoothness have been collected on two continuously reinforced concrete pavements at the Virginia Smart Road. One of the sections was diamond grinding and longitudinally diamond grooving while the other section was transversely tinned.
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City/Municipal, Highway
Diamond Grinding, Diamond Grooving
Friction/Safety, Smoothness, Tire/Pavement Noise
The Longevity and Performance of Diamond Ground Pavements
Diamond grinding is a concrete pavement restoration (CPR) technique that provides a smooth riding surface with the desirable friction characteristics on concrete pavements that have developed excessive roughness. Diamond grinding offers numerous advantages over other rehabilitation alternatives.
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City/Municipal, Highway
Diamond Grinding
Friction/Safety, Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
Does Diamond Grinding Affect the Structural Capacity and Service Life of Concrete Pavements?
investigates the impact of diamond grinding on pavement performance is investigated in this study which concludes that diamond grinding does not decrease the structural capacity of concrete pavements. The study finds that the reduction in slab thickness due to diamond grinding is offset by the increase in concrete strength over time and notes that diamond grinding is often used in conjunction with other pavement restoration techniques such as dowel bar retrofit (DBR) and full-depth joint repairs, further increasing the performance and service life of concrete pavements.
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Technical Info
Airport/Airfield, Bridge, City/Municipal, Highway, Industrial, Race Track
Diamond Grinding
Structural/Material Issues
CPR Built to Last: A Progressive Concrete Pavement Preservation Strategy Improves City Streets in Minneapolis
Concrete Pavement Preservation (CPP) has long been used on deteriorated highways, but it also offers an alternative to asphalt overlays when rehabilitating city streets constructed of concrete. Techniques include: Slab stabilization, Full-depth repair (FDR), Partial-depth repair (PDR), Dowel bar retrofit (DBR), Cross-stitching longitudinal cracks or joints, Conventional diamond grinding (CDG) and Joint and crack resealing.
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Case Study
City/Municipal
Cross/Slot Stitching, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing, Slab Stabilization
Friction/Safety, Sustainability/Environmental
