Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement: Structural Performance and Design/Construction Variables: Fid-Bau Portal

Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement: Structural Performance and Design/Construction Variables

P. J. Strauss / B. F. McCullough / W. R. Hudson

The structural performance of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) on two sections of the interstate highway system in Texas is analyzed by employment of regression techniques. A probabilistic model is used in relating the distressed area of the pavement to theoretical models of fatigue and thus stress in the pavement system. Additional models for load transfer by means of dowel action of the longitudinal steel reinforcement and aggregate interlock are developed to explain the distinction in performance of different types of CRCP in Texas. Use of theoretical models allows the extrapolation of the results to other conditions, but discrepancies still exist between the theoretically explainable and the actual occurrence of distress. This difference is explained in terms of other construction, environmental and design variables. It is found that variation in pavement properties is a big contributor to distress. Important variables in this respect include pavement roughness and the subsequent variation in dynamic wheel loading, deflections and surface curvature which relate to layer stiffnesses and the variance of crack spacing which can be interpreted as a nonuniformity in slab properties. Final equations are derived which can be used in the design of new pavements or in the prediction of future distress on existing pavements.