Thin RCC Pavement in Use

By: Matthew W. Singel, PE
​The question of how thin roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement can be placed is being asked more frequently.  As residential and commercial applications are finding a fit with RCC, thinner pavement sections are being constructed.  Traditionally, RCC pavements have been installed at large industrial facilities (e.g. sea ports, tank hardstands, logging yards) requiring pavement sections as thick as 18 to 22 inches, constructed with multi-lift placement techniques.  However, RCC’s popularity is growing fastest in applications that require thinner sections.

The Portland Cement Association’s (PCA’s) RCC Pave software encourages a 4-inch minimum pavement thickness, for constructability reasons.  Many projects have employed 4 and 5 inch thin RCC pavement throughout the U.S., including:

Plant Vogtle; Waynesboro, GA (2011); parking - 4 inches
Volkswagen Auto Manufacturing Plant; Chattanooga, TN (2010); parking – 4 inches
Jack Daniel’s Distillery; Lynchburg, TN (2011); parking – 5 inches
Honda Auto Manufacturing Plant; Lincoln, AL (2000 & 2004); access roads – 5 inches
A Retail Lumber Store; Ft. Payne, TN (1998); lumber storage yard – 5 inches
Saturn Auto Manufacturing Plant; Spring Hill, TN (1989); parking – 5 inches

Why choose RCC?  Because RCC can be designed and placed for lower cost than an equivalent asphalt/flexible pavement on many projects--and provide a higher level of performance.  CCT can help road agencies and engineers determine if RCC is the right choice for a project.  Give us a call.
"This blog was previously posted in the Cement Council of Texas' "Texas Cement and Concrete Blog" (now inactive) and was carried forward to the current blog ("Cementx Pavement Blog") as it contains content that may be of interest to the reader".