Chapter 6 - Cross Section Elements

6.5. Curbs – Outside Shoulders

6.5.3. Methods of Construction

Integral

For concrete pavements, integral curb is preferred to curb and gutter because of economy in initial construction and maintenance. With this method, the concrete curb is poured when the concrete slab for the roadway is still in a plastic state. This creates an integral bond between the roadway and the curb. An alternate, and more popular, method of construction is to place tie bars in the concrete of the roadway slab. Later, when the pavement has hardened, the curb is poured so that the tie bars hold the curb firmly in place on the roadway. Although not truly integral with the pavement, this curb is commonly referred to as integral/tied curb. The depth of integral/tied curb should match the depth of the roadway slab.

Curb and Gutter

Concrete curb and gutter, as shown in the GDOT Construction Standards and Details, Ga. Std. 9032B, is generally used with asphaltic concrete pavement. Under this method, both the curb and the gutter are poured together, but not at the same time as the roadway pavement. The GDOT standard curb and gutter width is 2.5-ft. for both sloped and barrier type curb and gutter. Where curb and gutter is placed adjacent to concrete pavement on curbed sections, tie bars should be used to connect the curb and gutter to the adjacent pavement. This prevents separation of the curb and gutter from the edge of the pavement.