THEORETICAL INVESTIGATION OF CROSS TENSIONED CONCRETE PAVEMENT

Abstract

The deterioration of Portland Cement Concrete Pavement (PCCP) is most often due to poorly performing transverse joints and cracks. This problem could be solved by eliminating the majority of transverse joints and constricting the cracking capability of the pavement by applying an external force to the pavement in the form of post-tensioning. The post-tension strands can be arranged diagonally resulting in Cross Tensioned Concrete Pavement (CTCP). Finite element analyses results show that the maximum tensile stress at the crossing of the strands near the pavement edge is much lower than the recommended allowable stress. The tensile stress between the opposing bearing plates is also reasonable. The proposed design also resulted in maximum compressive stresses and displacements as per design expectation. Thus, the proposed CTCP design appears to be a feasible design solution for longer lasting concrete pavement.