From the databases and examples of surface texture modifications, it is apparent that quieter concrete surfaces can be achieved. As with any evaluation of the effectiveness of any pavement change, the amount of reduction depends not only the end “quiet” pavement, but also on the initial pavement performance.

Seal/No Seal (SNS) Report: Wiess, Janney, Elsner Associates, Inc. (WJE) has completed research to develop practical field tests procedures that can measure and indicate when a sawcut joint is clean and dry enough to accept sealant. The intent of this test program was to develop reliable and practical test methods for assessing the cleanliness and moisture conditions in sawcut concrete joints to determine their preparedness for accepting sealants.

Degraded aircraft performance on wet runways has been a factor in the majority of aircraft accident overruns on landing. This study was conducted to determine the current risks of landing on a wet runway and the benefit-cost ratio of changes in procedures for accounting for wet runways on landing. It was found that the risks of landing on wet runways are greatly reduced if the runways are grooved or have a porous friction course (PFC) overlay. Risks for landings during heavy rainfall on un-grooved/non-PFC runways were found to be much higher than acceptable risks in aviation.

This Tech Brief summarizes a case study on slab stabilization in Missouri. Slab stabilization (also called undersealing and sub sealing) is the pressure insertion of a highly flowable material beneath the slab or stabilized base to restore the support beneath transverse and longitudinal joints that has been eroded away. Slab stabilization technology has improved over the years through better procedures and materials to provide a restoration of support of slabs that have experienced pumping and erosion leading to transverse joint and crack faulting, cracking, and roughness.

Concrete grinding residue (CGR) is a byproduct created by concrete pavement maintenance operations. The objectives of this research were to determine the impact of CGR additions to soil on both smooth brome biomass and plant and soil chemical parameters. Concrete diamond grinding residues will vary in their physical and chemical nature, and their impact on the environment will depend on the concrete composition, quality of grinding water, and the presence of organics on road surfaces.

The purpose of the testing was to compare the heat generated by the asphalt rubber surface to that generated by the diamond-ground concrete surface. The asphalt rubber surface ranged from 2 to 6 degrees hotter than the diamond ground surface in the travel lanes and up to 10 degrees higher on the shoulder. Just prior to sunrise, the asphalt rubber was still hotter than the diamond ground surface even after cooling all night.