Variability of Concrete Materials Data in Long-Term Pavement Performance Program

Abstract

As part of a study sponsored by NCHRP, research was conducted to evaluate the variability of concrete materials data in the Long-Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) program. The following materials-related data were studied: (a) compressive strength, (b) flexural strength, (c) split tensile strength, and (d) modulus of elasticity. The variability was determined in terms of the standard deviation and coefficient of variability. The strength and stiffness data used came from the General Pavement Study (GPS) as well as the Specific Pavement Study (SPS) test sections. The analysis of data indicates that, in general, the LTPP program GPS test sections as well as the LTPP program SPS test sections exhibit characteristics of well-controlled construction projects with respect to the strength- and stiffness-related properties of concrete. The results of the analysis indicate that on well-controlled concrete pavement construction projects it would not be unreasonable to produce concrete that has a coefficient of variation of 15% or less for compressive strength, flexural strength, split tensile strength, and the modulus of elasticity. The findings from the analysis can be used to refine statistics-based quality assurance/quality control procedures for concrete acceptance and to define the measures of variability to be used in mechanistically based concrete design procedures.