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
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Concrete Pavement Restoration on State Highway in South Dakota
The city of Watertown, South Dakota, chose diamond grinding and dowel bar retrofit (DBR) for its US 212 project to enhance ride quality and skid resistance. DBR was implemented to restore load transfer across joints. The result was a smooth surface that has remained in good condition for more eight years.
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City/Municipal
Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: A progressive concrete pavement preservation strategy improves city streets in Minneapolis
City streets in Minneapolis benefited from the implementation of concrete pavement preservation (CPP) techniques. The strategy focused on rehabilitating structurally sound residential streets using methods such as diamond grinding, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), full depth repair (FDR), partial depth repair (PDR), cross/slot stitching, joint resealing, and crack resealing. This approach was chosen for its sustainability and cost-effectiveness, enhancing road safety and extending pavement lifespan by up to 25 years.
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City/Municipal
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration
Sustainability/Environmental
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Concrete patching and resealing maintenance for major city roads in Glen Ellyn, IL
City blocks in Glen Ellyn, Illinois, were rehabilitated using diamond grinding and full depth repair (FDR). Diamond grinding enhanced surface smoothness, and FDR addressed deeper structural issues, leading to improved urban road quality. These methods provided a cost-effective, long-term solution for preserving the roads, with an expected lifespan extension of up to 10 years.
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City/Municipal
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing
Smoothness, Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Infrastructure rehabilitation in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
Winnipeg, Manitoba, saw significant improvements in road smoothness and durability through comprehensive Concrete Pavement Rehabilitation (CPR) initiatives. The project encompassed several techniques, including diamond grinding, dowel bar retrofit (DBR), partial depth repair (PDR), full depth repair (FDR), and transverse joint sealing. These methods were chosen over an asphalt overlay due to their cost-effectiveness, resulting in significant improvements in road smoothness and durability.
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Highway
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Dowel Bar Retrofit, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing
Structural/Material Issues
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Diamond Grinding Test and Trial Project in Winnipeg, Manitoba, Canada
The City of Winnipeg in Manitoba, Canada completed its first diamond grinding project in the summer of 2008. Prior to diamond grinding, the streets were generally in good condition and had received full depth repairs and partial depth repairs. The result was smoother pavements that will last longer, and the experience gained from the project will be used to develop further projects.
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City/Municipal
Diamond Grinding
Smoothness
CPR: Rebuilt to Last: Infrastructure improvements in Jonesboro, AR
The surface of the Route 63 highway had become rough after carrying 40-plus years of significant passenger and commercial traffic. The Arkansas Highway Transportation Department (AHTD) opted to use patching and diamond grinding as well as joint sawing and joint resealing. The roadway now boasts a safer riding surface with a nearly 56% improvement in smoothness.
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Highway
Concrete Pavement Preservation and Restoration, Diamond Grinding, Full & Partial Depth Repair, Joint and Crack Resealing
Structural/Material Issues
