Cost-effective Surfacing for Tracked-vehicle Traffic

Surveys of several locations with tracked-vehicle traffic were made to observe pavement conditions and maintenance requirements. These observations demonstrated that pavement performance depended on how local personnel perceived their problems and local repair methods. A test section to evaluate several mixtures was constructed and tested at Fort Stewart, Georgia. The items tested were: (a) Fiber-reinforced concrete; (b) Wire-mesh-reinforced concrete; (c) Roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP) in depths from 4 to 10 in; (d) Concrete paving blocks over sand-grid base; (e) Latex-modified asphaltic concrete; (f) Steel-slag asphaltic concrete; (g) State of Georgia standard E-Mix asphaltic concrete. The properties of the various items before and after construction were determined and evaluated. Trafficking on the test section consisted of normal traffic with M60A-1 tank and M-88 tank retriever traffic in addition to minor car and light truck traffic. Locked track turns were performed on each item, and the pavement surface was evaluated. Results of this study indicated that all items tested provided a satisfactory surface when properly prepared. RCCP provides a suitable surface for roads and parking areas at favorable costs compared to conventional concrete. Paving blocks provide a suitable surface and the ability to remove and replace or relevel individual blocks can offset their high-cost, labor-intensive installation. The asphalt pavements evaluated, while not as resistant to abrasion as concrete pavements, are less expensive to construct and repair.