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General Provisions (00100-00999)

141Department considers a roll of concrete covering approximately half of the distributing augers

DE · 2025 Standard SpecificationsBook pages 151160View official source ↗

PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 of concrete covering approximately half of the distributing augers to be desirable. The contractor may use spreaders in advance of the paver to control the concrete supplied to the paver.

5.Build a transverse construction joint at the end of the day’s paving run in accordance with the

pre-paving meeting submittal.

6.Before placing adjoining concrete paving lanes or shoulders, seal the previously sawed joint

opening along the edges of the existing concrete using duct tape, caulk, or other approved material to prevent stones or grout from entering the saw cut.

7.When placing concrete in lanes adjoining previously constructed pavement, locate the full width

of the paver tracks over the previously constructed pavement with no overhang across the pavement edge to prevent breaking. Use rubber facing, wood, or other approved protection if the paver tracks contact the existing pavement surface. Concrete in the completed lane must achieve a compressive strength of at least 2,000 pounds per square inch before placing adjoining pavement.

8.For small, irregular sections, or areas of pavement inaccessible to the paver:
a.Use full depth wooden or steel forms.
b.Place concrete directly onto a previously approved, moistened grade. Consolidate with hand

vibrators taking care not to dislodge previously placed dowel bars, tie bars, or tie bolts or to contact the forms.

c.Finish with a pre -approved screed. Hand float or otherwise finish any areas as necessary. Pull

a damp burlap drag longitudinally along the placement area. Texture and cure in accordance with Sections 501.3. 5 and 501.3. 6.

d.Remove forms when the concrete is self -supporting.
e.Correct honey -combed areas.
f.Maintain curing methods, in accordance with Section 501.3 .6, in place for 5 -days or until the

concrete compressive strength reaches 2,000 pounds per square inch. If stripping forms sooner than 5 -days following concrete placement, apply curing compound or extend other curing methods immediately.

9.Place a safety edge longitudinally along the pavement exterior edges. In PCC pavement sections,

modify the paver screed to provide a chamfer at the end of the PCC pavement that forms a wedge -shaped pavement edge.

E.Finishing.
1.Produce a smooth, uniform, concrete surface with the paver screed conforming to the specified

pavement cross slope and width.

2.Limit hand finishing to sealing surface tears, supporting non -vertical pavement edges, and to

assist in the surface finish of small, irregular areas inaccessible to the paver. The Department will not allow steel trowels for finishing surfaces.

3.Finish all longitudinal pavement edges with a 1/4 -inch rounded edging tool.
4.Do not add surface water as an aid to finishing. The contractor may apply an evaporation

retardant through the use of a previously approved misting or fogging device. The Department will not allow application of water shaken from brushes or applied thro ugh a hose. PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 142 5. Finish the final pavement surface before texturing by pulling a wet burlap drag in the longitudinal direction. Keep the burlap in a moist condition throughout the paving operation to prevent surface tearing.

6.Texture and cure the pavement in accordance with Sections 501.3. 5 and 501.3. 6.

501.3.2 Slip -Form Paving.

A.Equipment.
1.Use a track operated, self -propelled, slip -form paver that independently, or in conjunction with

an advance concrete spreader, will do the following:

a.Strike -off and screed concrete;
b.adjust to produce the specified cross slope and pavement width;
c.place a minimum 24 -foot width of mainline pavement in 1 pull unless otherwise specified in

the contract documents;

d.operate using electronic grade controls for horizontal and vertical alignment;
e.provide a vertical pavement edge with slump off not exceeding 1/4 -inch, exclusive of edge

rounding, when checked using a 10 -foot straightedge;

f.vibrate and consolidate the concrete for the full width of placement to produce uniform

concrete consolidation throughout the entire slab;

g.automatically stop when forward movement of the unit is interrupted;
h.provide a smooth, uniform concrete surface finish requiring minimal or no floating or hand

finishing; and

i.provide vibrators attached to the paving equipment or mounted on a separate carriage that

do not contact dowel bars, tie bars, tie bolts, other embedded hardware, or forms. Equip with a dowel bar inserter (DBI) if approved in advance by the engineer.

B.Concrete Saws.

Provide mechanical saws capable of producing joints in accordance with the Standard Construction Details. Determine the number of saws needed based on weather, temperature, and amount of pavement placed. Provide backup equipment and lighting, if necessary, on site before beginning concrete placement.

C.Work Bridge.

Provide platforms spanning the full width of the paving pull for workers to finish, texture, and cure the concrete. Provide bridges that do not come in direct contact with the pavement surface.

D.Texturing.

Provide independently powered, self -propelled texturing equipment capable of adjusting the depth of tine penetration to produce the specified pavement surface texture.

E.Curing.

Provide mechanically powered equipment to place curing compound at the specified rate on the pavement surface and on all exposed edges. Use a fully atomized mechanical sprayer equipped with a tank agitator and wind guard. Obtain the engineer’s approval for the use of alternate curing methods.

F.Diamond Grinding.

PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 143 1. Provide self -propelled machines equipped with gang -mounted diamond blades having a minimum cutting head width of 3 -feet with 50 to 60 diamond blades per foot of cutting head.

2.Provide a cutting edge capable of producing a corduroy -type pavement surface texture

consisting of parallel grooves between 3/32 -inch and 5/32 -inch wide and 1/16 -inch deep. 501.3.3 Fixed Form Paving.

A.Forms.

Use straight, metal forms a minimum of 10 -feet long having adequate strength to support the equipment. Use solid forms without horizontal joints with a depth equal to or greater than the prescribed edge thickness of the concrete and a base width at least equal to the depth of the forms. The base w idth is not required to exceed 8 -inches for deeper forms . Use flexible or curved forms for curves of 150 -foot radius or less. The contractor may use approved straight forms of 5 - foot lengths for curves of a radius from 75 to 150 -feet. Obtain the engineer’s approval for flexible or curved forms. The engineer may approve the use of wood forms in areas requiring hand finishing in accordance with Section 501.3.1.E.9.a. Secure the forms in place to withstand the impact and vibration of consolidating and finishing equipment without visible spring or settlement. Extend flange braces outward on the base a minimum of two thirds the height of the form. Remove forms with battered top surfaces or bent, twisted, or broken forms. Use repaired forms only after inspection and approval by the engineer. Use buildup forms only where the total area of pavement of any specified thickness on the project is less than 2,000 square yards. Ensure that the top face of the form does not v ary from a true plane more than 1/8 -inch in 10 -feet and that the vertical face of the form does not vary by more than 1/4 -inch. Make provisions for locking the ends of abutting form sections together tightly, and for secure setting.

B.Supplementary Rails.
1.Provide metal rails capable of secure attachment to the top of the side forms that provide a

track that enables spreading, finishing, and curing equipment to back over the end of the previous day’s run.

2.Provide metal rails of sufficient length to accommodate equipment the contractor needs to back

out of the way. Provide rails of sufficient height that all wheels and flanges of wheels clear the previously placed concrete by at least 1/2 -inch.

C.Base Support.

Provide a foundation under the forms so that the length and width of the form is firmly in contact with the grade.

D.Form Setting.

Stake forms into place with a minimum of 3 pins for each 10 -foot section. Place a pin at each side of every joint. Lock form sections tightly to prevent play or movement in any direction. Do not deviate the form from true line by more than 1/4 -inch at any point. The Department will not allow excessive settlement or springing of forms from the finishing machine’s weight. Clean and oil forms before placing concrete.

E.Grade and Alignment.

Check the form alignment and grade elevations immediately before placing the concrete. Reset and recheck disturbed forms or areas of unstable grade.

F.Removing Forms.

The contractor may remove forms when the concrete is self -supporting. PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 144 501.3.4 Equipment.

A.In addition to the equipment included in this Section, use equipment listed under Section 501.3.2.

Replace Section 501.3.2.A.2 with the following for fixed form paving:

1.Place concrete with a finishing machine designed for fixed form paving that can ride on

previously set forms and can work independently, or in conjunction with, an advance concrete spreader. Provide a finishing machine containing or capable of:

a.Strike -off;
b.screed;
c.adjustment to produce the specified cross slope and pavement width;
d.placing a minimum 12 -foot width of mainline pavement in 1 pull unless otherwise specified in

the contract; and

e.providing a smooth, uniform concrete surface finish requiring minimal or no floating or hand

finishing.

B.Vibration.
1.Vibrate and consolidate the concrete for the full placement width. Attach vibrators to the paving

equipment or mount on a separate carriage. Only operate the vibrators during forward motion of the machine. Operate hand vibrators no more than 10 -seconds and no less than 5 -seconds in any 1 location unless approved otherwise by the engineer. Place vibrators in the concrete and withdraw slowly in a vertical direction. To obtain concrete consolidation near the joint assemblies, the engineer may require hand v ibration with an immersion spud vibrator. Prevent vibrators from contacting dowel bars, tie bars, tie bolts, other embedded hardware, or forms. Use the number and frequency settings of the vibrators to achieve uniform consolidation of the concrete throughout the entire slab thickness and width.

2.Use surface vibrators with a frequency of no less than 3,500 impulses per minute. Use internal

type vibrators with a frequency of no less than 5,000 impulses per minute for tube vibrators and no less than 7,000 impulses per minute for spud vibrators. Wh en using either hand -operated spud type internal vibrators, or spud -type internal vibrators attached to spreaders or finishing machines adjacent to forms, ensure that these vibrators have a frequency of no less than 3,500 impulses per minute. Always provid e an impulse calibrator for verification of vibrator impulses. When using the existing pavement to support the finishing machine instead of a form, adjust the wheels of finishing machines to provide full bearing on the pavement and extended to prevent brea king the pavement edge.

C.Excavate form lines for all forms supporting mechanical finishing equipment using a machine

designed for this purpose and approved by the engineer or use an approved machine that concurrently trims the subgrade or subbase to grade.

D.When it is necessary to operate 1 or both sets of paving machine wheels or tracks on previously

placed concrete, ensure that the wheels or tracks bearing on the concrete stay at least 3 inches from the previously placed pavement edge. The contractor may double flange the wheels when opera ting with 1 side of the machine on pavement and the other side on forms. Use flangeless, rubber -faced wheels on the pavement. When operating over the edge of concrete less than 2 months old, support the ends of the finis hing machine screeds with an approved device to provide a clearance of 1/16 to 1/8 -inch between the screed and previously placed pavement. PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 145 501.3.5 Texturing.

A.Texture the finished pavement for the entire placement width with an approved tining device.

Provide a tining device with flat steel wire tines 3/32 -inch wide and 5 to 6 -inches in length, unless otherwise approved, having a 3/4 -inch spacing between the tines. The tines shall form rectangular shaped grooves from 1/16 to 3/16 -inch deep. Do not texture portions of the pavement that will receive permanent pavement markings. In these areas, maintain a 10-inch -wide flat surface to accommodate striping or raise d pavement markers. The Department will accept the burlap drag finish for these areas.

B.Pull the tining in the longitudinal direction, parallel to the centerline of the pavement, in 1 pass

without dragging or tearing the mortar.

C.Tining too early can pull excessive mortar or aggregate from the pavement. Tining too late could

fail to penetrate the surface by the minimum 1/16 -inch. The contractor shall decide when to begin tining.

D.Use hand tining devices at least 4 -feet wide, equipped with tines identical to those specified

above, for areas inaccessible to the mechanical tining device.

E.Immediately follow the tining operation with approved curing.
F.The contractor may elect to diamond grind all surfaces of concrete pavement to create a final

texture instead of tining. If the contractor cho oses the diamond grinding method, grind only after the concrete obtains a compressive strength of at least 3,500 pounds per square inch. Submit information on similar types of work performed with the proposed grinding equipment, including references if requ ested by the engineer. 501.3.6 Curing Methods.

A.White Membrane Curing Compound.
1.Spray the curing material on the pavement surface and all exposed edges immediately following

the texturing operation.

2.Continuously agitate the curing material during application to keep it thoroughly mixed.
3.Uniformly apply 2 applications of spray to the entire surface. Apply the first coat immediately

following the tining operation and apply the second coat no more than 30 -minutes after the first coat.

4.The Department will not allow equipment or traffic, other than joint saws and foot traffic, on

the pavement until the compressive strength reaches at least 2,000 pounds per square inch.

B.Polyethylene Sheeting.
1.Place a polyethylene sheeting over the concrete beyond the slab edges by at least twice the

pavement thickness. Add weight to secure the material against wind and weather.

2.Maintain the polyethylene in place for at least 5 calendar days or until the concrete compressive

strength reaches at least 2,000 pounds per square inch. At sawed joint locations, remove as little polyethylene as possible just before the sawing operatio n. Replace the polyethylene over the sawed joint immediately upon completion of the sawing operation and maintain for the remainder of the curing period. 501.3.7 Quality Control Plan. PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 146 Develop and submit a quality control plan in accordance with Section 610.3.A and following the weather limitations in accordance with Section 501.3.8. 501.3.8 Weather Limitations.

A.Cold Weather.
1.Place concrete when the ambient air temperature is at least 35 degrees F and rising.
2.Do not place concrete on frozen grade.
3.Maintain a temperature of not less than 40 degrees F surrounding the concrete pavement for a

curing period of 3 -days following placement. Provide all necessary monitoring devices such as high -low thermometers or other tools and a plan for monitoring the temperature during the 3 - day period. Address use of insulating blankets, straw, polyethylene, or other protection, in the quality control plan.

B.Hot Weather.
1.If plastic concrete temperatures reach 80 degrees F, dampen the subgrade immediately in

advance of the concrete placement. Perform finishing, texturing, and curing operations as soon as possible. Suspend paving if the pavement surface dries to the extent that the contractor cannot finish the concrete without application of surface water.

2.The Department will not allow concrete placement when the temperature of the plastic

concrete exceeds 90 degrees F. 501.3.9 Joints.

A.Construct in accordance with the Standard Construction Details.
B.Clean and seal all joints with hot -poured sealant material within 5 -days after concrete placement

in accordance with Section 504, if no overlay is planned.

C.Sawed Joints.
1.Begin joint sawing as soon as the concrete can support the saw and operator with no damage to

the pavement surface.

2.Time the sawing so that the concrete does not ravel behind the blade and so that random

cracking does not occur.

3.Determine the timing of the saw cutting based on weather, temperature, and contractor

judgment. Center the saw cuts over the dowel bars or tie bars . Following saw cutting, provide crack -free pavement except for the cracks under the designed saw cut joints.

D.Construction Joints.
1.Construct this joint at the end of a day’s paving run as submitted in the pre -paving meeting.
2.Before beginning paving operations, provide a formed bulkhead for use in an emergency

resulting in a non -planned paving stoppage exceeding 30 -minutes.

3.Submit for approval the proposed method of building the transverse construction joint. The

resulting joint must create a vertical face perpendicular to the pavement conforming to the designed cross slope. Drilling and grouting procedures and related mat erials must accompany the submission, if applicable. Provide a grout retainer ring if installing dowels by drilling and epoxy grouting. PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 147 4. When placing concrete pavement abutting existing concrete, provide a sealant reservoir in accordance with the Standard Construction Details.

5.Construct longitudinal joints directly over tie bars or tie bolts.

501.3.10 Opening the Road to Traffic. Open the road to traffic when the concrete compressive strength reaches at least 3,500 pounds per square inch. 501.3.11 Performance Measures.

A.The Department will base acceptance and final payment for this item on acceptability of the

following:

1.Alignment and Cross -Slope.
a.Pavement edge within 2 -inches of the specified horizontal alignment and a pavement width

no less than that specified.

b.Cross -slope at the specified percent plus or minus 0.5 percent.
2.Consolidation.
a.Verified by visual observation of pavement edges, pavement cores, and other non - destructive

testing as determined by the engineer.

3.Thickness.
a.Verified by cores.
b.The Department will adjust payment in accordance with Section 501.5.
4.Ride Quality in accordance with Section 501.5, including pay adjustments.
5.Pavement free of random cracks. Submit repair or replacement procedure to the engineer for

approval.

6.Vertical Pavement Edge.
a.No more than 1/4 -inch edge slump, exclusive of rounding of the finishing tool, when

measured using a 10 -foot straight edge.

7.Dowel Bars .
a.Located in accordance with the Standard Construction Details.
b.Verified for contract compliance of locations and alignment using non -destructive testing

devices.

8.Tie Bars or Tie Bolts
a.Located in accordance with the Standard Construction Details.
b.Verified for contract compliance of locations and alignment using non -destructive testing

devices.

9.Concrete.
a.Meeting the contract compressive strength requirements.
b.Subject to payment adjustment as outlined in Section 501.5.

PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 148 501.3.12 Tolerance in Pavement Thickness.

A.For the purpose of establishing an adjusted unit price for pavement lanes, the engineer will:
1.Divide the PCC pavement for the entire contract into 1,000 -square yard lots;
2.determine the random core locations;
3.drill the cores;
4.determine pavement thickness according to AASHTO T148; and
5.patch the resulting holes in the PCC pavement.
B.Uneven lots less than 1,000 square yards may occur due to the pavement geometry. If this is the

case, the Department will consider these irregular lots a complete lot when evaluating the pavement thickness, regardless of the actual size.

C.If a random core measurement is deficient by more than 0.20 -inches when compared to the plan

pavement thickness, the Department will take 2 additional randomly selected cores within the same lot. The Department will consider cores measuring 0.20 -inches or more in excess of the plan pavement thickness to measure exactly 0.20 -inches greater than the planned thickness when computing the average of the 3 cores. The Department will consider the average thickness of the 3 cores as the pavement thickness for th e lot the Department is evaluating. The Department will use this lot thickness to determine payment for the entire lot in accordance with Table 501.5 -1.

D.Remove and replace the entire lot represented by the short cores when any average lot thickness

is deficient by more than 1 -inch when compared to the plan pavement thickness. The engineer will provide the limits of the lot in question. 501.3.13 Pavement Smoothness.

A.Surface Testing.

Test finished surfaces of concrete pavements, bridge decks, approach slabs, and transition slabs in accordance with the contract using an inertial profiler or 10 -foot straight edge. The maximum allowable longitudinal and transverse deviation is 1/4 -inch in any 10-feet. Provide a 10 -foot straight edge for testing smoothness.

B.Surface Corrections.

Use diamond grinding to remove deviations exceeding 1/4 -inch in 10 -feet. Submit information on similar types of work performed with the proposed grinding equipment, including references if requested by the engineer.

501.4Method of Measurement.

A.The Department will measure the quantity as the actual square yards placed. The Department will

measure the longitudinal dimension along the centerline of pavement.

B.The Department will not measure areas requiring repairs due to random cracking or failure to

meet other performance measures until the contractor makes repairs. In these cases, the Department will withhold the actual repair area quantity from payment.

501.5Basis of Payment.

PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 149 A. Payment includes placing, finishing, texturing, and curing concrete pavement meeting the performance measures outlined in Section 501.3.11. The Department will consider the following items incidental to the work and will not pay for the items separately :

1.Repairs to random crack areas;
2.repairs required to meet performance measures;
3.providing a “Thermal Plan” and all accompanying testing equipment;
4.providing smoothness testing results from either an inertial profiling system or a straight edge;
5.performing blanket diamond grinding;
6.sawing, drilling, grouting, sealing, and constructing all pavement joints;
7.sealing sawed joints along the completed pavement edge before placing adjoining pavement;
8.constructing a safety edge;
9.providing cold weather curing materials;
10.providing lighting in accordance with Section 501.3.2.B;
11.providing a template or other approved device for checking dowel bar assembly installation

before concrete placement;

12.providing polyethylene sheeting and transverse bulkhead for protecting concrete during a rain

event or other emergency;

13.providing and placing dowel bars, tie bars, and their assemblies and support mechanisms and

providing verification of their location and alignment using non -destructive testing devices; and

14.installing and preparing lines, wires, tracks or other devices as needed for electronic grade

control. 501.5.1 Pavement Thickness Adjustments.

A.For thickness deficiencies, the Department will adjust the contract unit price according to the

schedule provided in Table 501.5 -1. Table 501.5 -1. Price Adjustments for Concrete Pavement Thickness Deficiency Deficiency in Average Pavement Thickness Determined by Cores Proportional Part of Contract Unit Bid Price (%) 0.00 to 0.20 -inches 100 0.21 to 0.30 -inches 80 0.31 to 0.40 -inches 72 0.41 to 0.50 -inches 68 0.51 to 0.75 -inches 57 0.76 to 1.00 -inches 50 Greater than 1.00 inch Remove and Replace

B.The Department will make no additional payment over the contract unit price for any pavement

with an average thickness in excess of that shown in the contract. The Department will consider PORTLAND AND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT SECTION 501 150 the plan pavement thickness as the maximum pavement thickness value used in this chart for a 1,000 square yard lot. 501.5.2 Pavement Smoothness Adjustments. The Department will apply incentive or disincentive pay adjustments as established by this specification and in accordance with the contract. 501.5.3 Low Strength Concrete Adjustments. The Department will consider concrete that fails to reach full 28 -day design strength (f' c) subject to remedial action. The Department will make prorated payment in accordance with Section 610. 5.D. Remove and replace concrete having compressive strength of 500 PSI or more below the designed (f'c) of the pavement. ITEM DESCRIPTION UNIT 501001 PCC PAVEMENT, 8” SY 501002 PCC PAVEMENT, 9” SY 501004 PCC PAVEMENT, 10” SY 501005 PCC PAVEMENT, 11” SY 501006 PCC PAVEMENT, 12” SY 5010 07 PCC PAVEMENT, 14” SY

Source: Delaware Standard Specifications for Road and Bridge Construction, 2025 Edition. Pages 151160 of 779.