Repeated Load Behavior of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Full-scale test sections were constructed at the University of Illinois and subjected to accelerated pavement testing in order to evaluate IDOT’s options on extended-life continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP). The CRCP test sections included two concrete thicknesses, three steel contents, and the use of single versus double layer reinforcement. Response testing was first conducted on all the test sections in order to monitor the CRCP deformations under fixed loading and variable temperature conditions. Load levels were then applied at the edge of the pavement that would create a punchout failure on the test sections. The measured variables were the vertical and horizontal deformations at cracks and transverse strain near the surface of the slab, along with the temperature profile through slab thickness. The factors controlling the repeated load behavior of the CRC sections were the crack width, the permanent deformation of the support layers, and the steel content. The performance of the CRCP test sections exceeded existing design guide predictions. The main reason for the enhanced performance was the narrow crack width achieved on the test sections and resultant high shear capacity across the transverse cracks.