Roller-compacted concrete (RCC) is a no-slump concrete that is placed by an asphalt-type paver and compacted with vibratory rollers. RCC got its start in the 1970s, when the Canadian logging industry needed a durable, economical pavement to withstand the heavy loads and equipment utilized in sorting yards. The use of RCC helped eliminate many of the traditional problems associated with hot-mix asphalt pavements, including rutting, pavement punctures, and surface spalling, which significantly reduced maintenance costs over time.
Smaller projects becoming more common
Figure 1 shows that RCC placement volumes, project numbers, and applications in the U.S. are clearly increasing. Since the beginning of the decade, utilization has expanded into many other applications such as hike and bike trails, local streets and roads, and commercial parking lots, while continuing to be used in traditional industrial-type applications. Between 2011 and 2013, more than 172 projects have been paved, covering more than 4.9 million square yards.
Figure 2 combines the data with historical studies and illustrates that as the number of annual projects grows, median project size is coming down. The reduction is due to a change in applications; while RCC continues to be used on large projects, smaller projects such as roadways, access roads, and parking lots are becoming more common.
