Skip to main content

Efficient concrete overlays

Concrete overlays have a long history and proven success in the state of Iowa. Mitchell and Worth counties in north central Iowa have led the way. In the past three years, they have put down approximately 241km of 102mm concrete overlay. Concrete Foundations Inc. (CFI), based out of Hiawatha, Iowa, has slipformed almost 80km of the counties' overlays, including 45km this paving season near the town of Osage. CFI has slipformed most of the overlays with its GOMACO two-track GP-2600 paver. This season, the co
February 15, 2012 Read time: 2 mins
Efficient concrete overlays are being achieved with the use of stringless controls

Concrete overlays have a long history and proven success in the state of Iowa. Mitchell and Worth counties in north central Iowa have led the way. In the past three years, they have put down approximately 241km of 102mm concrete overlay.

Concrete Foundations Inc. (CFI), based out of Hiawatha, Iowa, has slipformed almost 80km of the counties' overlays, including 45km this paving season near the town of Osage.

CFI has slipformed most of the overlays with its 218 Gomaco two-track GP-2600 paver. This season, the company added the Leica Geosystems stringless system and a new GOMACO four-track GHP-2800 paver to the inventory. Both were put to work on the project near Osage.

The new unbonded concrete overlay is 6.7m wide, and the material is placed directly on the existing asphalt surface of the roadway. The surface only has to be swept clean before the mix is dumped on it and concrete slump averages around 13-25mm.

The firm has seen increased production with fewer people needed for stringline maintenance and setup. Five site personnel who normally worked with the stringline are now used elsewhere during the paving process. The lack of stringline also allows them to focus more on quality and production rather than stringline maintenance.

The GOMACO GHP-2800 is pulling burlap for a burlap drag finish behind the paver. Finishers work behind the paver with bull floats before a texture/cure machine applies a longitudinal tine and white spray cure.

For more information on companies in this article

Related Content

  • Preventive maintenance - preserving pavements
    February 14, 2012
    In the first article of a three-part series on preventive maintenance, Alan S. Kercher, of Kercher Engineering, highlights the value to road agencies of a properly implemented pavement preservation programme For many road agencies, the budget for maintenance, rehabilitation and reconstruction (MR&R) of their roads is focused mainly on the pavements that are in the worst condition. In the short term, this common approach may seem very logical. However, when focused on expensive structural improvements,
  • Bitumen tech: innovation for decarbonisation
    June 4, 2024
    Kristina Smith examines four new products and processes, including bio-bitumen produced from algae, designed to lower the carbon footprint of asphalt mixes.
  • Concrete paving developments boosting performance
    April 12, 2018
    Change is afoot at Miller Formless following its change of ownership, with investment in research and design a priority – Mike Woof writes Miller Formless is undergoing a process of change under its new ownership, with investment in the factory as well as in the product range. The recent tie-up between Guntert & Zimmerman and Miller Formless has brought additional global manufacturing capacity. Guntert & Zimmerman had established a manufacturing presence in India through an agreement with a local firm, a
  • Simple road safety measures save lives
    February 15, 2012
    Elementary road safety measures quickly pay back the costs of investment and, more importantly, help save lives as Patrick Smith reports. More than 300 people in the UK are alive today or have avoided the prospect of a lifetime of special care because just 15 roads have had simple improvements put in place.