DPWH adopts new

standards for pavement

thickness
Published May 29, 2011 12:43pm

In a bid to ensure the quality of its road networks, the Department of Public
Works and Highways has adopted new standards for national roads pavement
thickness.

DPWH Secretary Rogelio Singson said such standards should prevent the
early deterioration of road pavements due to overloading.

"In his Department Order no. 22, series of 2011, Singson directed that the
thickness for the new construction and rehabilitation or upgrading of Portland
Cement Concrete Pavements shall be 280 mm. However, a thickness of less
than 280 mm, but in no case less than 230 mm may be adopted depending on
the Cumulative Equivalent Single Axle Load (CESAL)," the DPWH said in
a news release on its website.

CESAL is the primary criterion used for the selection of the appropriate design
of roads depending on the daily average effect of each vehicle type passing
over the pavement.

For pavement rehabilitation works using the crack and seat method, a
minimum thickness of 260 mm is prescribed for the new pavement that will be
constructed on top of the deteriorated pavement.

But for pavement re-blocking, the thickness of the new pavement will be the
same as the replaced blocks.

In asphalt pavement, a minimum thickness of 50 mm is prescribed for

overlaying works "but on grounds of economy, pavement thickness of more
that 50 mm will be considered only if the cost of the asphalt pavement of such
thickness is less than the cost of a 230 mm thick concrete pavement."

"On both pavement types, the thickness of pavement will be verified from
pavement design analysis using the American Association of State Highway
and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) method as contained on the DPWH
Design Guidelines," the DPWH said.

AASHTO is a standards setting body which publishes specifications, test

protocols and guidelines which are used in highway design and construction
throughout the United States.

The DPWH noted the Philippines, through the DPWH, is the only country
outside North America authorized to use the AASHTO Standards.

For pavement width, minimum width of the carriageway shall be 6.70 meters,
while for rehabilitation or upgrading works involving at least 500 meters, the
minimum width of the carriageway to be adopted shall be 6.70 meters.
LBG, GMA News

Evaluation of Structural Performance of Concrete

Blocks from Coal Combustion By-Products
, News Bits, Volume III, Issue 7, July-December 2006

The study aimed to evaluate the structural performance of concrete blocks that utilized coal
combustion by-products from the Calaca Coal-Fired Thermal Power Plant as partial
replacement for cement and sand. It aimed to develop a concrete mix design that would meet
the concrete block standard compressive strength (Non-Load Bearing Concrete Hollow Block
and Interlocking Paving Block) per PNS and ASTM.
A number of experiments were carried out to realize the objectives of this research. Different
tests of the product were conducted to conform to the standards cited earlier such as physical
property test of aggregate and mechanical properties of fresh concrete. Sample concrete
specimens with different designs mixes were developed and compared to the concrete block
compressive strength standard set by the Philippine National Standard (PNS) and American
Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM).

The physical properties (gradation, specific gravity, etc.) of the bottom ash and fly ash used as
substitute construction materials for making concrete blocks were evaluated and compared with
the standards used. Results showed that bottom and fly ashes were both beneficial and could
be used as construction materials.

The mechanical properties (compressive strength) of concrete were evaluated and compared
with the aforementioned standard. Results showed that some mix designs satisfied the ASTM-
PNS standards on the compressive strength of concrete.