Analytical Technique to Mitigate Early-Age Longitudinal Cracking in Jointed Concrete Pavements

Abstract

This paper reviews the fundamental issues that may create conditions ripe for earlyage random cracking in jointed concrete pavement (JCP) construction, specifically in longitudinal direction, and also provides an analytical approach to predict cracking potential. The finite element analysis technique was used to investigate the level of restrained stresses in the transverse direction of JCP slab resulting from different combinations of variables influencing the stress development. Influencing factors considered for the analysis include slab (paving) width, slab length, slab thickness, interface friction, modulus of subgrade reaction, temperature gradient (due to temperature drop), and concrete modulus of elasticity. Graphical charts for stress level versus concrete modulus of elasticity were produced for different combinations of other variables. These charts can be used to estimate the potential for early-age longitudinal cracking in JCP construction, provided the characteristics of early-age strength development of the concrete are known. Application examples are presented to demonstrate the analysis techniques.