Basics of Concrete Pavement:

Joint Layout

ICPA’s 51st Annual Concrete

Paving Workshop

February 4, 2015

Eric Ferrebee
Technical Services Engineer
American Concrete Pavement Association
Joint Spacing
Formula for Maximum Joint Spacing

Maximum joint spacing:

ML = T x Cs
ML = Maximum length between joints (in.)
T = Slab thickness (in.)
Cs = Support constant (24 for subgrades or unstabilized [granular] subbases; 21 for
ATB, CTB, lean concrete [econocrete], or existing concrete or asphalt; 12 to 15 for
bonded concrete overlays on asphalt (BCOA))

* Maximum spacing of transverse joints in plain (unreinforced) concrete should

be 15 ft for slabs less than 10 in. thick unless local history shows longer
panels work (e.g., low CTE of aggregate)
* Keep ratio of transverse to longitudinal spacing at less than 1.5
apps.acpa.org
Considerations for Intersections
Benefits of Concrete Intersections

A long-term pavement solution (less future disruption

to traffic).
A durable and skid resistant surface.
Better light reflectivity than asphalt, enhancing
pedestrian and vehicle safety at night and in
inclement weather.
No softening or deterioration caused by slow moving
maneuvering vehicles and/or fuel/oil dripping.
Low maintenance costs.
Maintains drainage characteristics... etc…
Things to Consider

Thickness
Jointing
Spacing
Type
Layout
Traffic management
(phasing)
Fast track mixtures
Other considerations (i.e., reconstruction versus inlay,
subgrade and subbase requirements, concrete materials,
traffic detection systems, construction processes, etc.)
Thickness Impacts Jointing!

Design may be based on AASHTO, PCA, StreetPave, etc.

Class ADT ADTT Thickness
Light residential < 200 2-4 4.0-5.0 in.
Residential 200-1,000 10-50 5.0-6.0 in.
Collector 1,000-8,000 50-500 5.5-8.0 in.
Business 11,000-17,000 400-700 6.0-8.0 in.

Industrial 2,000-4,000 300-800 6.5-9.5 in.

Arterial (minor) 4,000-15,000 300-600 6.5-9.5 in.

Arterial (major) 4,000-30,000 700-1,500 7.0-10.0 in.

Concrete Intersections: Thickness

Physical Area

Functional Area
Concrete Intersections: Thickness

Physical Area Functional Area

Physical Area
Roadway 1 Roadway 2
Thickness
Low ADTT (T1) Low ADTT (T2) T2

Low ADTT (T1) High ADTT (T3) T3

High ADTT (T3) High ADTT (T3) T3 + 0.5 to 1 in.

T3>T2>T1
Rules for Joint Layout
Rules for Joint Layout

Things to Do
Match existing joints or cracks – location AND type!
Cut joints at the proper time
Place joints to meet in-pavement structures
Remember maximum joint spacing
Place isolation joints where needed
Understand that joint locations can be adjusted in the field!
Be Practical

Location Type
Rules for Joint Layout

Things to Avoid:
Slabs < 2 ft wide
Slabs > 15 ft wide
Angles < 60º (90º is best)
Dog-leg joints through curve
radius points
Creating interior corners
Odd Shapes (keep slabs near-
square or pie-shaped)
Where to Place Isolation Joints

Where do you put isolation joints?

Solving the Intersection Dilemma with
the 10-Step Method of Jointing
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 1: Draw all pavement edge and back-of-curb lines in the
plan view.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 2: Lightly draw circumference-return, taper-return, and
crossroad-return lines as offsets of 1.5 – 3.0 ft
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 3: Draw all lane lines on the mainline roadway and
crossroad. Do not extend through return lines (offsets).
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 4: Define mainline lanes for paving. Extend only these lane
lines through return lines (offsets) to allow for slipform paving.
Blockouts & doglegs will occur in the gutter pan at these locations.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 5: Add transverse joints locations where a width change occurs
in the pavement (begin & end of tapers, tangents, curves, curb
returns, etc.) and extend these joints through the curb & gutter.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 6: Add transverse joints between and beyond the joints defined
in Step 5, but not to the center of the intersection. Attempt to keep
the distance between joints less than ML.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 7: By extending the edge of pavement lines for the cross
road and any turning lanes, define the intersection box.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 8: Check the distances between the "intersection box"
and the surrounding joints.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 9: If the distance is more than the maximum desirable
joint spacing, then add transverse joints at an equal spacing.
Do not extend these joints through return lines.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

The Ten Step Method for Intersections

Step 10: Extend lines from center of curb return radii to corners of
intersection box panels. Draw joints along these “diagonal” lines.
Make adjustments to eliminate doglegs in pavement edges.
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

Details A, B, and C
What If I Have to Dead-end a Joint?
What If I Have to Dead-end a Joint?
What If I Have to Dead-end a Joint?
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

Adjust joints that are within 5 ft of a utility!

Concrete Intersections: Jointing

Box Out Fixture Details

If You DO Box Out Properly…
If You DON’T Box Out Properly…
Where there’s a will, there’s a way…

… visibly old, but no cracks!

Good Practice…
Concrete Intersections: Jointing

Same rules apply to wide medians and dual left-turn…

Trust Me, It Works!
Define Joint Type

TB019P
Contractor’s Involvement is Crucial!

NOTICE: NO EXPANSION JOINTS!

Cul-de-sac w/Separate Curb & Gutter
Cul-de-sac w/Integral Curb & Gutter
Joint Layout for Roundabouts
Why a Roundabout?

According to FHWA:
Up to 90% reduction in fatalities, 76% reduction in
injury crashes, and 30-40% reduction in pedestrian
crashes
75% fewer conflict points than 4-way intersections
30-50% increase in traffic capacity
No signal equipment to install/maintain
No left-turn lane
and reduced need
for storage lanes
Jointing

Decide on joint layout

philosophy
Like normal intersection
Isolate circle from legs
Pave-through, isolate two legs
Other philosophy, based on experience
Follow 6-step method
Joints in circular portion radiate from center
Joints in legs are normal (perpendicular)
Layout Joints as Normal?

Good for small

roundabouts or
traffic circles?
Concrete Roundabout Jointing

Develop a jointing plan

Bird’s eye view
Remember rules
Follow the steps
Be practical!
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 1: Draw all pavement edges and back-of-curb

lines in plan view.
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 2: Draw all lane lines on the legs and in the

circular portion, accounting for roundabout type.
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 3: Add “transverse” joints in the circle, being

mindful of the maximum joint spacing.
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 4: On the legs, add transverse joints where

width changes occur.
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 5: Add transverse joints between those added

in Step 4, minding the maximum joint spacing.
Jointing a Roundabout

Step 6: Make adjustments for in-pavement objects,

fixtures, and to eliminate odd shaped slabs.
Less, If Any, Doglegs!
Pinwheel or Spiral
Cul-de-sac
A Roundabout Example
110th Street & Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas
110th Street & Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas
110th Street & Lamar Avenue
Overland Park, Kansas

CONVENTION
CENTER
Properly Jointed Roundabout
Properly Jointed Roundabout
Rough Grading
Grading of Subgrade
Subbase & Curb Const.
Curb Placement – Widened Gutter

Proper Jointing is Key!

Field Joint Layout Plan
Inner Pavement Ring Formed
Dowel Basket Placement
Start Concrete Placement
Hand Placement with Roller Screed
Hand Finishing
Half Way Done… Joint Layout
Guides the Way
Outer Ring…
Outer Ring…
Outer Ring…
Outer Ring…
1 inch Isolation Joint
Approach Lanes…
Approach Lane Sequence
Finishing Approach Lanes
Open to Traffic!
Same Rules Apply For Ovals…
 Thank you.
Questions? FEEDBACK!

Eric Ferrebee
Technical Services Engineer
American Concrete Pavement Association
eferrebee@acpa.org | 847.423.8709

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