Statistical quality control of Portland cement concrete pavements

Abstract

The scope of this investigation was to study statistically the process of preparing concrete for Portland cement concrete pavements and to compare the data with the specifications in use. It encompassed the measurement of properties of the constituents of concrete, namely, coarse aggregate, fine aggregate, and cement; the determination of the properties of the finished concrete, namely slump, air content, compressive strength, and a mount of cement in the cured concrete; and the measurement of the thickness of the concrete pavement. This investigation was conducted in three phases. The first phase consisted of selecting three different concrete paving projects in Oklahoma which were subjected to a statistically based extensive sampling. The second phase included the laboratory or field testing of the samples collected for the determination of certain physical properties pertinent to concrete characterization. In the third phase, the data obtained from property determinations were statistically analyzed. Also, the mean values (average values) of the properties of concrete and its constituent materials were compared with the job specifications.