Fact Sheets

Concrete Overlays

For more than 70 years, concrete overlays have provided one solution in the search for options to help extend pavement life at a reasonable cost. Because of the growing emphasis on pavement preservation and the rising cost of alternatives, interest in concrete overlays is increasing. The work of TERRA members and others nationally is helping advance the research and implementation of concrete overlays. This fact sheet briefly highlights recent and emerging research as well as innovative projects.

Download the TERRA fact sheet on Concrete Overlays (127 KB PDF)

Resources

Many resources exist to offer guidance on the application of concrete overlays. Key resources include the following:

• National Concrete Overlay Explorer (American Concrete Pavement Association)
  • information about concrete overlay projects throughout the country
  • ACPA also developing an online ultra-thin whitetopping design tool
• Guide to Concrete Overlays (CP Tech Center, 2008)
  • concrete overlay types, applications, general design and construction issues
• Concrete Overlay Field Application Program Engineer Packet (CP Tech Center)
  • details about costs and construction
• MnROAD research publications (search keyword “overlays”)
  • reports on the design, construction, and early field performance of thin bonded and unbonded concrete overlays at MnROAD and throughout Minnesota
• Improving Concrete Overlay Construction (Research Report TR-600, CP Tech Center, 2010)
• NCHRP Synthesis Report #338: Thin and Ultra-Thin Whitetopping (Transportation Research Board, 2004)

On the Horizon

Emerging research is focusing on further evaluation of concrete overlays and the effectiveness of interlayer (unbonding) materials. For example, the Michigan Department of Transportation is sponsoring the project “Improved Performance of Concrete Overlays” to conduct a comprehensive field investigation of representative overlay projects, develop new or modified overlay designs and related construction practices, and analyze the cost-and-time benefit of modifications. In addition, a potential pooled-fund study is in development for the selection and design of interlayer materials.