EVALUATION OF A CONCRETE TEST PAVEMENT USING THE FWD AND WESLIQUID

Abstract

This study evaluates a concrete test pavement using the Falling Weight Deflectometer (FWD) and the WESLIQUID finite element computer program. Researchers from the University of Florida developed a full-scale test pavement incorporating various slab configurations and subgrade voids to explore the effects of dowelled and undowelled joints under different temperature and thermal gradient conditions. The study primarily investigates the FWD's capability to assess crucial pavement properties such as joint efficiency, subgrade stiffness, and thermally-induced curling, while also determining its limitations in detecting subgrade voids. The findings suggest that FWD data, particularly deflection basins and load-deflection relations, effectively indicate variations in subgrade stiffness and can evaluate joint efficiency and the impact of thermal curling. However, the presence of pavement boundaries and joints tends to mask the influence of subgrade voids, limiting the FWD's effectiveness in detecting these features. Additionally, the study uses WESLIQUID to compare empirical data with analytical models, enhancing the understanding of pavement behavior under varied operational conditions. This research contributes to developing more sophisticated tools and methods for concrete pavement analysis, aiding in the maintenance and design of more durable road infrastructures. (Abstract generated by AI tool ChatGPT 4)