Circular No. 12/2013/TT-BGTVT on the use of concrete pavement structures in the construction and investment of transportation works

CIRCULAR

Regulations on the use of concrete pavement structure in transportation infrastructure investment and construction

in investment in the construction of transportation works

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Pursuant to the Construction Law dated November 26, 2003;

Pursuant to Decree No. 12/2009/NĐ-CP dated February 12, 2009 of the Government on investment construction project management;

Pursuant to Decree No. 83/2009/NĐ-CP dated October 15, 2009 of the Government amending and supplementing certain articles of Decree No. 12/2009/NĐ-CP dated February 12, 2009 of the Government on project management for investment in construction works;

Pursuant to Decree No. 107/2012/NĐ-CP dated December 20, 2012 of the Government stipulating the functions, tasks, powers, and organizational structure of the Ministry of Transport.

At the proposal of the Director of the Department of Science and Technology and the General Director of the Vietnam Highway Corporation;

The Minister of Transport hereby promulgates this Circular on the use of concrete pavement structure in transportation infrastructure investment and construction,

Article 1. Scope of Regulation

This Circular applies to the use of concrete pavement structure in the construction of transportation infrastructure projects regardless of the source of investment funds.

Article 2. Applicability

This Circular applies to organizations and individuals involved in transportation infrastructure investment and construction activities that use concrete pavement structures.

Article 3. Explanation of Terms

1. Concrete pavement structure is a type of road surface structure with a surface layer made of cement concrete and a subbase layer made of crushed stone mixtures reinforced with cement or lean concrete or other types of materials placed directly on the road base or subgrade.

2. Transportation works include road works, railway works, waterway works, airports, bus stations, parking lots, rest stops, and other auxiliary works.

Article 4. Conditions and scope of application of concrete pavement structure

1. Research and use of concrete pavement structure in the construction of transportation infrastructure shall be carried out at all stages of project investment planning, implementation, operation, and maintenance.

2. Concrete pavement structure shall be used in transportation infrastructure construction projects when it is suitable for topography, geology, climate, hydrology, material supply, construction and repair conditions, maintenance, and future upgrade and expansion capabilities.

3. Concrete pavement structure must be the main technical solution applied to transportation construction works if it meets the conditions stipulated in Clause 2 of this Article and has one of the following characteristics:

a) Road surfaces in toll station areas; bus stations; parking lots; dedicated automobile roads, roads leading to ports; tunnel surfaces; spillway surfaces;

b) Road sections in flood-prone areas where the roadbed does not lie on weak soil; road sections affected by foggy, humid weather;

c) Road sections in mountainous areas with slopes greater than or equal to 7%, difficult to maintain and repair using other types of road surface structures;

d) Road sections passing through ground or rock layers affected by underground water;

đ) Rural transportation roads;

e) Other transportation works when using concrete pavement structure ensures economic and technical efficiency and reduces investment, repair, and maintenance costs compared to other types of road surface structures.

4. In cases where transportation works meet the conditions and scope of application mentioned above but do not use concrete pavement structure, the investor must report to the investment decision-making authority for review and decision.

Article 5. Technical Standards to be Applied

1. The application of technical standards in investment projects for construction of transportation works using cement concrete pavement structures shall be carried out in accordance with the provisions of Article 5 of Decree No. 15/2013/NĐ-CP dated February 6, 2013 of the Government on the management of construction quality.

2. The main technical standards and regulations include:

a) Cement concrete pavement design standard: Implement Decision No. 3230/QĐ-BGTVT dated December 14, 2012 of the Minister of Transport promulgating the Interim Provisions on the Design of Ordinary Cement Concrete Pavement with Expansion Joints in Transportation Works Construction.

b) Cement concrete pavement construction and acceptance standard: Implement Decision No. 1951/QĐ-BGTVT dated August 17, 2012 of the Minister of Transport promulgating the Interim Provisions on Construction Techniques and Acceptance of Cement Concrete Pavements in Transportation Works Construction.

c) Construction and acceptance standard for crushed stone base and natural aggregate stabilized with cement layer: Apply standard TCVN 8858:2011 published by the Ministry of Science and Technology in 2011.

Article 6. Responsibilities of Relevant Organizations and Individuals

1. Consulting organizations responsible for preparing project proposals, adjusting projects, and designing shall study the conditions and scope of application of the provisions of Article 4 of this Circular to develop design plans for cement concrete pavement structures according to the design standards stipulated in Article 5 of this Circular and other pavement structure designs (such as asphalt concrete, surface treatment, etc.) for analysis, comparison, and proposal of selecting pavement structure plans ensuring the economic and technical efficiency of the project.

2. Investment decision-makers shall be responsible for considering and deciding on the use of cement concrete pavement structures in accordance with the provisions of this Circular when approving investment construction projects and during the operation and maintenance of transportation works.

3. Project sponsors and investors shall be responsible for comparing and proposing the use of cement concrete pavements for projects in compliance with the provisions of this Circular.

Article 7. Effective Date

1. This Circular takes effect from July 15, 2013.

2. For transportation works whose projects have been approved by competent authorities before the effective date of this Circular without using cement concrete pavement structures, project sponsors or investors may consider and submit to competent authorities for approval to change the design in accordance with Articles 4 and 5 of this Circular to use cement concrete pavement structures if deemed appropriate and capable of enhancing the economic and technical efficiency of the project.

3. In case of difficulties during implementation, organizations and individuals are requested to promptly report to the Ministry of Transport for consideration and resolution./.