Concrete Road: However in recent years, in USA, Canada and Europe and in Indian fly ash has been

successfully used to replace a part of cement to make dry lean concrete (DLC) and pavement quality concrete (PQC) to obtain certain advantages better durability of concrete in pavement. This has helped in reducing the overall cost of concrete pavement and therefore acceptable to clients and used also. Figure **** gives the composition of a Concrete Road
CONCRETE SLAB (PQC) SUB-BASE (DLC) SUB-GRADE (GSB)

Dry Lean Concrete: Dry lean concrete is a semi-rigid material which provides a stable foundation for the concrete slab. It also has better load dispersion quality as compared to unbound granular layers and is resistance to softening action of water serving as an effective working platform for week foundations. a small thickness of DLC is required compared to unbound layers used in flexible pavements (bituminous / asphalt roads) for catering similar loading and environmental conditions. This is just because of DLCs superior performance. Furthermore is preparing such Dry Lean Concrete (DLC) the requirement of cement is also nominal due to which it becomes economical. The concept and use of dry lean concrete along with specification has recently been made available to engineers by MOST, it is most importance to implement quality control measure at all stages of works at site. Characteristic of DLC:

The functions of the various layers in a concrete road are:

Layer Concrete Slab (PQC) Functions To provide a hard, durable, dustproof riding surface To bear the traffic loads To provide a uniform and firm support to the pavement To prevent mud-pumping To act as a capillary cut off To drain away the water that may enter through the joints in the concrete slab and cracks in the sub-base

Sub-base (DLC)

Drainage Layer (GSB)

Construction of concrete Road:

Construction is usually done by one of the three methods: (a) Manual method, providing steel or wooden forms, pouring concrete and compacting by means of needle and vibrating screeds, and giving the texture by brushing. (b) Fixed form paver, which has spreader, vibrator, texturing unit and membrane curing compound sprayer, the whole unit moving on fixed forms formed by steel channels.

(c) Slip form paver, which is the latest technique, requiring no fixed forms, the alignment, grade and thickness controlled by electronic sensors. The equipment also inserts dowel bars, imparts texture, cuts the joints and applies the curing compound. In all the methods, concrete is mixed in a weigh batcher and mixer. The aggregates of various sizes are added as per a job mix formula. The joints are sealed with a sealant. Modern practice is to seal with cold poured sealants like polysulphide or silicone. Curing is done by initial application of curing compound followed by watering over wet hessian for 14 days. Traffic is allowed only after concrete has attained the desired strength, which may be after 21-28 days.