Cracking of concrete pavement continuously reinforced with epoxy-coated steel

Two sections of interstate highway in central Oklahoma were recently reconstructed. On both projects, northbound lanes were reinforced with epoxy-coated steel and southbound lanes were reinforced with uncoated steel. Two crack surveys were conducted over the entire length of both sections of new pavement. The results of these surveys show that epoxy coating has no significant effect on crack spacing. Additional variables evaluated include concrete strength, air temperature, and nil content. The data indicate that air temperature and air content have the greatest impact on crack spacing. A second phase of the study involved the construction of laboratory specimens with either uncoated, or epoxy-coated reinforcement. Clacks were artificially induced in specimens by placing the specimens in tension. No significant differences were measured in either crack spacing or crack width.