Improving Ride Quality of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement: Final Report

The construction of smooth and durable pavements is a major objective in construction projects. The administration at the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) has asked that ride quality be stressed on all construction projects. TxDOT has focused on ride quality specifications and has revised them several times in the recent past. These specifications call for remedial action well after the concrete has hardened and it becomes necessary to grind the concrete, which leaves a permanent scar for the life of the pavement. If poor ride quality could be detected before the concrete reaches its initial set, a better product at less cost could potentially be achieved. The objective of this research is to determine if early detection of inadequate ride or smoothness in PCC pavements can be determined and if so, identify the appropriate correction procedures needed before the concrete has hardened.