The purpose of rubblization of concrete pavement prior to overlaying it is to produce a structurally sound base which prevents reflective cracking in the overlay by fracturing the concrete and then rolling it thereby obliterating the existing pavement distresses and eliminating future slab action. The MHB Badger Breaker® rubblizes up to 13 feet wide in a single pass.  

“Modified rubblization” is the process of rubblization with the intent of producing somewhat larger particle sizes that compensate for a weak subgrade/base.

GENERAL
Rubblization is the process of fracturing the existing Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) in-place into small interconnected pieces that serve as a base course for a new Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) overlay. Since there are no hauling or disposal costs and none of the existing pavement system is discarded, rubblization can be a very cost-effective rehabilitation method. The rubblization process fractures the existing PCCP into small pieces, eliminating the underlying slab integrity and movements that cause reflection cracking. Any existing pavement layers below the concrete slabs, such as a crushed aggregate or stabilized base, remain in place to provide additional structural support for a new HMA pavement. Some designers have placed a dense crushed aggregate base layer, or reclaimed HMA or PCC, over the rubblized PCC as a leveling course prior to the HMA. The HMA pavement is placed as a series of lifts, whose total thickness is determined in a manner similar to how a new flexible pavement would be designed. The net effect of rubblizing is to convert a deteriorating rigid pavement system into a new flexible pavement system. Rubblizing PCCP should result in the complete destruction of any slab action before applying the HMA overlay. For concrete pavement with distributed steel, such as jointed reinforced concrete pavements (JRCP) and continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP), the steel should be ruptured or the concrete-to-steel bond should generally be broken. This is necessary to eliminate any slab action that could cause reflection cracking. Rubblization reduces the existing concrete pavement into a layer that resembles an aggregate base with a high degree of particle-to-particle interlock and is stiffer than most aggregate base layers.

When rubblizing over subgrade/base providing only fair to poor support it is often counterproductive to try to achieve small particle sizes because the resulting rubblized concrete layer would not provide adequate structural support for the overlay. Experience has shown that a modified rubblization pattern that employs less fracture energy in order to produce a somewhat stiffer rubblized concrete layer (larger particle sizes) will maintain enough of the concrete layer’s strength to support construction operations and the new asphalt overlay while still eliminating reflective cracking.

More information on full and modified rubblization go to:
www.antigoconstruction.com/

When rubblizing over subgrade/base providing only fair to poor support it is often counterproductive to try to achieve small particle sizes because the resulting rubblized concrete layer would not provide adequate structural support for the overlay. Experience has shown that a modified rubblization pattern that employs less fracture energy in order to produce a somewhat stiffer rubblized concrete layer (larger particle sizes) will maintain enough of the concrete layer’s strength to support construction operations and the new asphalt overlay while still eliminating reflective cracking.

More information on full and modified rubblization go to:
www.antigoconstruction.com/

The purpose of crack & seat of concrete pavement prior to overlaying it is to minimize the occurrence and severity of reflection cracks in the overlay caused by slab action by cracking the concrete slabs to reduce their effective length and then seating the cracked slabs to reestablish support between the subbase and the slabs. Some specifications require that the road be opened to traffic after cracking to accomplish the seating prior to paving the overlay. Other specifications require a proof roller be used to seat the cracked concrete. Most cracking has been performed with the T8600 Badger Breaker® although the MHB Badger Breaker® is also used for cracking.

The purpose of break & seat of jointed reinforced concrete pavement (JRCP) prior to overlaying it is to minimize the occurrence and severity of reflection cracks in the overlay caused by slab action by breaking the concrete slabs to reduce their effective length and then seating the broken slabs to reestablish support between the subbase and the slabs. More fracture energy is employed than for crack & seat in order to sever the reinforcing steel thus causing more spalling of the concrete surface. Specifications typically require several passes with a proof roller to seat the broken concrete. Most break & seat has been performed with the T8600 Badger Breaker® although the MHB Badger Breaker® has been used in certain applications.

The purpose of break for removal is to break concrete pavement down to a size that meets the customer's removal, hauling and crushing needs while providing the necessary equipment and manpower to meet the customer's schedule. Antigo utlizes the unique capabilities of the 8600 Badger Breaker®, T8600 Badger Breaker®, MHB Badger Breaker®, and MHBT Badger Breaker®, to maximize the effectiveness and efficiency of the break for removal process.