Optimization of RCC mixes using eastern Saudi materials

Abstract EN

Asphalt pavements in some highways and expressways in Saudi Arabia have experienced a high level of wheel track rutting attributable to an interplay of several factors including the high ambient pavement temperature, the high number of loaded trucks and the viscoelastic behavior of the asphalt pavement.

One of the proposed solutions is to use roller-compacted concrete (RCC) pavements.

A comprehensive and rational design of RCC mixes depends largely on the sources of materials and their properties, methods of preparation, placement, compaction, curing and, most importantly, the prevailing environmental conditions.

In order to optimize mix design proportions for RCC pavements using indigenous eastern Saudi materials, this investigation was carried out to assess the effects of water-to-cement ratio, coarse-to-fine aggregate ratio and total aggregate-to-cement ratio on reliability, density, and strength of RCC using three compactive efforts.

Results of this investigation were statistically analyzed to develop a regressive model capable of predicting the flexural strength of RCC mixes.