DESIGN OF RIGID PAVEMENT AND ITS COSTBENEFIT ANALYSIS BY USAGE OF VITRIFIED POLISH WASTE AND RECRON POLYESTER FIBRE

A country can achieve sustainable and rapid growth in all fields by improving its connectivity and transit systems. Connectivity of people to resources by improved transit mechanism results in improved living standards. Apart from other means, the major part of connectivity of any country is through road systems. Well designed and maintained pavements provide better and long lasting service. In India, all the major road systems are designed as flexible pavements only, because of their ease of construction and less time it takes to be opened to traffic operations. The major problem with flexible pavements is their design life and high maintenance costs. Also, globally reducing petrol reserves, which are used for bitumen and asphalt production are also increasing the need for alternatives. To tackle these problems, rigid pavements can be constructed. Although the cost of construction of rigid pavements is high, its long life, high load carrying capabilities and low maintenance cost will balance the initial cost aspect. Recently, many studies are being conducted on different pozzolanic admixtures which can be used as partial replacement of cement in rigid pavements, thereby reducing its cost and enhancing properties of the mix. Here, an attempt is made to reduce the construction cost of rigid pavements by incorporating Vitrified Polish Waste (VPW) as partial cement replacement in proportions of 5% for M40 grade concrete. Further, to enhance flexural properties of pavement, Recron fibre is added to optimum VPW in increments of 0.1%, then after C.C pavement is designed for two lane two way national highway and cost benefit analysis is performed. A country can achieve sustainable and rapid growth in all fields by improving its connectivity and transit systems. Connectivity of people to resources by improved transit mechanism results in improved living standards. Apart from other means, the major part of connectivity of any country is through road systems. Well designed and maintained pavements provide better and long lasting service. In India, all the major road systems are designed as flexible pavements only, because of their ease of construction and less time it takes to be opened to traffic operations. The major problem with flexible pavements is their design life and high maintenance costs. Also, globally reducing petrol reserves, which are used for bitumen and asphalt production are also increasing the need for alternatives. To tackle these problems, rigid pavements can be constructed. Although the cost of construction of rigid pavements is high, its long life, high load carrying capabilities and low maintenance cost will balance the initial cost aspect. Recently, many studies are being conducted on different pozzolanic admixtures which can be used as partial replacement of cement in rigid pavements, thereby reducing its cost and enhancing properties of the mix. Here, an attempt is made to reduce the construction cost of rigid pavements by incorporating Vitrified Polish Waste (VPW) as partial cement replacement in proportions of 5% for M40 grade concrete. Further, to enhance flexural properties of pavement, Recron fibre is added to optimum VPW in increments of 0.1%, then after C.C pavement is designed for two lane two way national highway and cost benefit analysis is performed.