Responses to Concrete Specifications
Survey with Summary (2011)
In March of 2011, a survey was sent out by Manitoba Infrastructure and Transportation
(MIT) Materials Engineering Branch to poll Department of Transportation (DOT) branches
throughout the United States on their practices concerning concrete construction. Twenty-four
DOTs responded to the survey along with two Canadian provinces and the feedback is
documented below (Ctrl+Click questions for the actual responses). MIT is in the process of
reviewing our current practices and sent out the following questions with the tallied responses:
1. Does your agency currently use epoxy coated or stainless steel dowels in
concrete pavements?
Concrete Dowels
Other
17%
Stainless Steel
6%
Epoxy Coated
77%
Please note that agencies reporting that they use both types of dowels were given half
points for each option. Louisiana indicated they use both types of dowels for long design
life pavements (bridges) but otherwise use black steel. Responses attributed to “Other”
were from New Jersey, Florida, South Carolina, and Georgia. For the southern states,
corrosion resistance was noted as not being a concern while New Jersey did not specify
the reason. Washington was split into “Other” and stainless steel as it is one option they
use for corrosion resistance (epoxy was not mentioned as a corrosion resistant option
used).
2. Does your agency typically use an open graded drainage layer (OGDL) with a
new concrete pavement?
Subgrade for PCC
Less Drainable
Alternative
8%
Open Graded
Drainage Layer
19%
Not OGDL
(Dense Graded
or Other)
73%
Only three agencies explicitly stated “yes” they use open graded drainage layers below
their concrete, however, two other agencies noted they used some less drainable layer
such as untreated based course. North Carolina was considered OGDL as they use
either asphalt stabilized open graded mix or base mix with reduced compaction.
Although OGDL’s are currently an option being used in Florida, this DOT was marked
as “no” because they are moving to a dense graded asphalt in the future. Oklahoma,
Oregon, Quebec, and New Mexico have all used it before but have since changed their
specification away from this option. New Mexico in particular noted extensive problems
with restraint cracking attributed to subgrade friction. Minnesota and Colorado
responded “no” in general, however, depending on the region may use it.
3. Does your agency use fixed or random joint spacing for concrete pavements?
Joint Spacing
Fixed
Random
4%
Other (Tining)
4%
92%
The consensus for what type of joint spacing used was by far a fixed spacing, in the
majority of cases, of 15 feet. Washington State was the only DOT that reported they use
primarily longitudinal tining with random spaced transverse tining on small or irregular
areas. Two jurisdictions noted that either they used to have random joints or may allow
it to be used in cases. Manitoba is currently using random spaced joints.
4. Does your agency allow diamond grinding on new concrete pavements to
achieve smoothness bonus?
Allow Diamond Grinding for Bonus
Yes
38%
No
62%
The response specifically as to whether diamond grinding was allowed to achieve
bonus was fairly divided. While the majority of DOT’s allowed grinding for smoothness
corrections, the states of New Mexico, Loiusiana, and Indiana do not provide bonus
when it is used. Minnesota allows grinding corrections to correct smoothness thus
becoming eligible for bonus, but noted it is typically only used to avoid penalty. Montana
also honours the incentive for smoothness corrections resulting from grinding with
exception to sections that exceed an index value of 15; these areas must be corrected
with no bonus available. North Carolina was marked as “yes” because the grinding is
allowed for corrections; however whether or not bonuses are given was unclear.
Quebec allows the grinding (and honours bonus), however, a penalty per square metre
is imposed at the same time for any ground surface. New Hampshire only has
experience with one concrete project where grinding was allowed by change order for
smoothness corrections and was marked “no” because bonus would not have been
available.
5. Does your agency use skewed or perpendicular joints for new concrete
pavements?
Joint Orientation for PCC
Skewed
8%
Perpendicular
92%
Both Manitoba and Wyoming are primarily using skewed joints. All other DOTs are
using perpendicular. Oregon, South Carolina, Wisconsin and Iowa noted they have
used skewed joints in the past with Oregon having success while South Carolina noted
corner cracking as an issue.
ACTUAL RESPONSES
Listed below are the responses received via email from the responding DOTs:
1. Does your agency currently use epoxy coated or stainless steel dowels in
concrete pavements?
EPOXY COATED
Utah
We typically use epoxy coated dowels in concrete pavements. We have used
Oregon
Missouri
Florida
stainless steel dowels on a few experimental projects.
epoxy coated.
No. We use neither. We just apply a paint coating. We haven’t had any corrosion
problems and we obviously don’t apply deicing salts to our roads.
ftp://ftp.dot.state.fl.us/LTS/CO/Specifications/WorkBook/Jul2011/SS3500100.
pdf
Minnesota
Colorado
Washington
New Jersey
Georgia
Virginia
Oklahoma
South Carolina
Montana
New Mexico
New Hampshire
North Carolina
We use both, depending upon the volume/design life. Stainless steel for 60 year
design.
Epoxy coated
1. WSDOT uses corrosion resistant dowel bars for new
construction which may include stainless steel. ASTM A-934
bars(purple epoxy) is used for rehabilitation. See Appendix 2
for more information on WSDOT dowel bar use policy.
http://www.wsdot.wa.gov/biz/mats/Apps/DraftWSDOTPavementP
olicy2-2-10.pdf
No.
NO
VDOT Uses epoxy coated dowel bars in concrete pavement.
Epoxy coated dowels bars are specified
No, we do not have much winter weather down here and our use of
deicers is low in comparison with colder climates. Consequently,
dowel corrosion has not been a major concern. We probably need to
look at some of our older PCC pavement to assess the corrosion, but
the oldest sections, which are about 35 years old, are not faulting.
MDT uses epoxy coated dowel bars only.
[Simons, Bryce P., NMDOT] Yes, we do use epoxy coated dowels in our
concrete pavements.
[Adam Chestnut] Epoxy Coated dowels were used.
We use epoxy coated dowels.
Louisiana
We do use both stainless and epoxy coated steel when we need to for long life
bridge elements (namely 100 year design). Otherwise we use black steel.
Quebec
Epoxy coated. We have a research project going on studying GFRP
dowels and also stainless steel dowels for comparison.
South Dakota
Wyoming
Kansas
Indiana
Iowa
EPOXY
YES, epoxy
Yes Epoxy, Not Stainless
Epoxy coated only.
Epoxy
Wisconsin
Ohio
Manitoba
We predominantly use epoxy coated dowels in concrete pavement. In a select
few cases (high performance concrete on key corridors), we require either a
stainless steel clad, stainless steel tube or zinc clad dowel.
Standard is epoxy coated. Currently evaluating stainless steel tubes,
stainless steel clad, and FRP dowels under pooled fund TPF-5(188).
Seehttp://www.pooledfund.org/projectdetails.asp?id=411&status=4
Epoxy coated.
2. Does your agency typically use an open graded drainage layer (OGDL) with a
new concrete pavement?
UNTREATED BASE COURSE..........a-1-a..........drain able material
Utah
In the past we used open graded aggregate base and asphalt treated permeable
Oregon
Missouri
Florida
Minnesota
Colorado
base. However, we now only specify dense graded hot mix asphalt for new
concrete pavement. We observed early cracking and greater crack thicknesses in
our concrete pavements (CRCP) built on top of the open graded bases.
MoDOT's Type 5 aggregate base, which is normally placed as a 4-inch layer and
contains 15 % or less fines, is intended to provide drainage. In some cases
stabilized permeable bases are used.
It is one of three drainage options and has been used on a number of projects.
We are moving more to dense graded asphalt bases with edge drains.
Not typically, except in the southwest part of the state. It depends upon subgrade
and aggregate sources. We are beginning a project to look at creating a
performance base that provides enough drainage (whatever that is J) and stability.
This varies based upon the materials designer in each Region, but generally I
would say no.
Washington
New Jersey
Georgia
Virginia
No. WSDOT uses a dense graded HMA.
No.
Oklahoma
Used to, now we specify a lean concrete or asphalt base @ 4"-5" thick on
top of 6-12" agg. base, depending on anticipated truck traffic.
South Carolina
3" 19MM SUPERPAVE INTERLAYER
Yes, VDOT uses asphalt treated drainage layer 2-3 inches thick. It is
stable, but drainable at least 1500 ft/day.
Not routinely, only on unbounded PCC overlays over existing
PCC, which is rare.
Montana
No, MDT uses our standard crushed aggregate course that is somewhat
dense graded but is low on the 200m. (slow draining but it does drain.)
MDT also uses plant mix surfacing as a base for PCCP.
New Mexico
[Simons, Bryce P., NMDOT] No, not anymore. We believe we had extensive
problems with restraint cracking in our pavements due to subgrade friction.
However, we are currently planning one project that is using CTOBG topped
with an asphalt treated OGB directly underneath the PCCP which will
hopefully reduce the subgrade friction.
[Adam Chestnut] The ORT concrete was placed partially on existing pavement (not
OG Pavement), partially on compacted gravel, and partially on the existing concrete
structural slab for the Toll Plaza.
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Louisiana
Quebec
We use either an asphalt stabilized open graded mix (Permeable
drainage layer) or a base mix with reduced compaction.
No
We did use it on a couple of contracts with JPCP and all of the 50 km
CRCP (except the first 2 km in 2000). We will not use it anymore.
South Dakota
Wyoming
Kansas
Indiana
Iowa
Wisconsin
Ohio
Manitoba
NO
YES
No
Yes, 3 inches open graded with 1 inch maximum size.
Yes
We do have open graded base in the specification, but have not specified it for
quite a few years. We use dense graded aggregate base almost exclusively.
No, Ohio DOT has a moratorium on open graded bases under concrete,
see
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/HighwayOps/Pavement/Additional%20I
nformation/FBD_Use_3-23-01.pdf
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/TransSysDev/Research/reportsandplan
s/Reports/2000/Pavements/14652-FR(B).PDF
and attached paper
No.
3. Does your agency use fixed or random joint spacing for concrete pavements?
FIX but we are looking into allowing random
Utah
In the past we specified random joint spacing. However, we are now using fixed
Oregon
Missouri
Florida
Minnesota
Colorado
Washington
New Jersey
Georgia
Virginia
Oklahoma
South Carolina
joint spacing (typically 15 ft).
Fixed.
Fixed transverse spacing of 15 feet.
Fixed. 15’
Fixed spacing based upon design
WSDOT uses longitudinal tining as the standard. Random spaced
transverse tining is used for small or irregular areas.
Fixed.
FIXED AT 15 FEET
VDOT uses fixed joint spacing, typically 15 ft.
Fixed joint spacing of 15'
We currently use a 15-foot fixed pattern. We used a pseudo-random
19-24-25-18 pattern on some projects in the later 1970s and 1980s.
However, these sections were all doweled and are not exhibiting
noticeable faulting at this time. In the meantime, we are seeing more
prevalent transverse mid-panel cracking in the longer panels.
Montana
Because MDT primarily uses PCCP in curb and gutter sections the majority
of our joint spacing designs are fixed.
New Mexico
[Simons, Bryce P., NMDOT] We use fixed joint spacing, with a maximum
spacing not to exceed 15 ft.
[Adam Chestnut] Fixed Joint Spacing was used. This was somewhat dictated by
traffic loop installations.
New Hampshire
North Carolina
Louisiana
Quebec
South Dakota
Wyoming
We use fixed spacing (15').
Fixed at 20 feet
Fixed, between 4,5 to 5,5 m equally spaced joints.
FIXED
YES, fixed
Kansas
Indiana
Iowa
Wisconsin
Ohio
Manitoba
Fixed at 15’
Fixed, between 15 to 18 feet.
Fixed
Fixed Joint Spacing, 15’.
15' fixed
Random joint spacing.
4. Does your agency allow diamond grinding on new concrete pavements to
achieve smoothness bonus?
No
Utah
No.
Oregon
Yes.
Missouri
We currently require continuous diamond grinding for both smoothness and lower
Florida
tire/pavement sound. Yes, they can earn a 3% incentive for smoother pavement.
ftp://ftp.dot.state.fl.us/LTS/CO/Specifications/SpecBook/2010Book/352.pdf
Minnesota
Colorado
Washington
Its allowed, but typically the only time the contractor does it is if they are in the penalty
situation. Then they grind and are eligible for incentive.
Yes, but not 100% grinding of the surface
Not intentionally. We had a recent project that following construction
diamond grinding a significant portion of the roadway was required due to
smoothness concerns. Generally, a diamond grinding incentive is not provided.
We have provided an incentive on a recent project to see how it works out.
New Jersey
Georgia
Virginia
Oklahoma
Yes.
South
Carolina
Yes, we require a diamond-ground surface as the final texture on new
PCC pavement for limited access facilities. For lower-speed sections, we
require transverse tining with spot grinding for bumps. However, if more
than 52 linear feet within a 528 foot by 12 foot segment has been ground,
regardless of transverse width of the grinding, the entire segment has to
be ground for aesthetics.
Montana
MDT, allows corrective grinding and may grind to meet the smoothness bonus,
but with an exception. Incentive will not be paid on sections with an initial index
exceeding 15. (Using a Profilograph.)
NO
No.
No, however the contractors are required to grind bumps ( > 0.60 in.) in any 25'
sections
New Mexico [Simons, Bryce P., NMDOT] Yes, we do allow one grinding pass to improve
New
Hampshire
North
Carolina
Louisiana
Quebec
smoothness, but no bonus can be paid in those areas that are ground
[Adam Chestnut] We did Diamond Grind the concrete. This was a change order that
resulted from a poor finish on the concrete and a desire to remove the top surface of the
concrete where a high water cement ratio exists.
We have used diamond grinding to achieve ride quality, but encourage contractors to
achieve ride quality beginning at the subgrade and building to achieve ride in every
layer.
We allow, but only for 100% pay (NO Bonus)
Yes, but we have a penalty of 5,40 $/m2 of grinding. (Contractor) will have a
bonus if he has under 1,2 m/km, with or without grinding.
South
Dakota
Wyoming
Kansas
Indiana
Iowa
Wisconsin
Ohio
Manitoba
NO
NO
Yes
Yes, but contractor doesn’t receive more bonuses after grinding.
No. They can only grind to avoid disincentive.
If grinding is used to repair bumps/rough areas, these repairs will be considered before
assigning roughness penalties, but no bonus is paid on the corrected surface.
No, grinding can be used to reduce a negative pay adjustment but not to
achieve an incentive. see Proposal Note 420 at
http://www.dot.state.oh.us/Divisions/ConstructionMgt/OnlineDocs/Pages/Propo
salNotesSupplementalSpecificationsandSupplements.aspx
No.
5. Does your agency use skewed or perpendicular joints for new concrete
pavements?
Perpendicular
Utah
We juse perpendicular joints for new concrete pavements. we have used skewed
Oregon
Missouri
Florida
Minnesota
Colorado
Washington
New Jersey
Georgia
Virginia
Oklahoma
South
Carolina
Montana
New Mexico
New
Hampshire
North
Carolina
Louisiana
Quebec
South
Dakota
Wyoming
Kansas
Indiana
joints in the past with success.
Perpendicular.
Perpendicular.
Perpendicular.
Perpendicular
WSDOT uses perpendicular joints.
Perpendicular.
PERPENDICULAR
VDOT uses perpendicular joints.
Perpendicular joints only.
Perpendicular. We used skewed joints on a few projects in the early
1970s. The skewed joints did greatly reduce faulting, but corner
cracking has been an issue with these sections. Our agency began
using perpendicular dowel joints in 1976 and that has been our standard
since that time.
MDT uses perpendicular joints only.
[Simons, Bryce P., NMDOT] We use perpendicular joints.
[Adam Chestnut] Perpendicular Joints in this case.
We only use perpendicular joints.
Perpendicular joints
Perpendicular.
PERPENDICULAR
YES, skewed
Perpendicular
Only perpendicular.
Iowa
Skewed for about 25+ years then switched to Perpendicular 5 years
ago.
Wisconsin
Our joints are perpendicular to the Centerline. In the past we used skewed joints, but
this practice was stopped around 1986.
Perpendicular
Skewed.
Ohio
Manitoba