Question for highway engineers

[airdvr 197]

I am suffering through a re-paving project on a 2 lane divided. What's happened so far is the top layers have been ground off. Workers are now in the process of using big cement saws to cut big rectangles in the road. Then a backhoe comes in and lifts the huge piece of concrete out and into a dump truck. Next thing that happens is holess are drilled into the sides of the cavity, big steel bars are inserted, and the void is filled with new concrete.

This seems to me to be make work. Why would you cut out a big piece of concrete and re-pour a new piece of concrete?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[riddler 0]

<- not a highway engineer

But it sounds like they are adding rebar to strengthen the road. You can't just drill holes and stick the rebar in - it has to be bonded to the concrete. So you have to put the rebar in first, then cast around it with concrete.

Edit to add - the other thing to note, is that they need expansion space for when the road gets hot, so depending on how your description reads, they may be jointing the road as well.

Trapped on the surface of a sphere. XKCD

[The_Don 0]

Old concrete is weak & cracking.

Remove & replace.

Was the top layer asphalt?

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[airdvr 197]

yesw...asphalt surface. But why take out an unbroken piece of concret and replace with a fresh pour?

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne

[The_Don 0]

It has cracks in it, it stays intact when removed because of the rebar in it. A new layer of asphalt on it would soon crack as well.

R&R solves the problem.

I am NOT being loud.
I'm being enthusiastic!

[airdvr 197]

Thanks

Please don't dent the planet.

Destinations by Roxanne