Evaluación y rehabilitación de losa de hormigón HCP del pavimento rígido desde la entrada principal de la ESPOL hasta la unión con el intercambiador de la Prosperina (L=1.5 km)

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis project is to design a rehabilitation proposal for the HCP concrete slab of the rigid pavement connecting the ESPOL entrance with the Prosperina interchange, to ensure the safety and comfort of users. The premise is that the pavement exhibits serious construction and structural deficiencies that warrant specialized technical intervention. The justification for the intervention lies in the need to correct dimensional irregularities, low strength, and excessive joint widths to prevent further damage, making it imperative to propose solutions based on technical standards and an economic analysis. For the development, the condition of the slab was evaluated through a combination of visual inspections, destructive testing (extraction of concrete cores to measure thickness and strength), and non-destructive testing (ultrasound and ground-penetrating radar). Additionally, technical standards were consulted to support the solutions, and a cost analysis and drawings were prepared. The tests identified construction errors such as irregular panel dimensions, inconsistent thicknesses (19 to 26 cm), and voids with strengths as low as 83 kgf/cm². It was determined that surface deterioration was the predominant type of damage, and that the final section of the road had 45.52% of its slabs affected. As the primary solution, partial or total replacement of the damaged slabs was proposed, depending on their severity, and a reference budget of 08,367.15 was calculated. In conclusion, construction deficiencies and poor joint maintenance favor the progression of pumping damage. Therefore, urgent and technical pavement rehabilitation is required, and it is imperative to correct structural problems before considering any asphalt overlay that would jeopardize the investment. Keywords: Rehabilitation, Rigid Pavement, Construction Errors, Slab Replacement, Structural Damage.