ANALYSIS OF TOP-DOWN TRAVERSE CRACKING IN JOINTED PLAIN CONCRETE PAVEMENT

The causes and consequences of mid-slab transverse cracking in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) are studied in this paper. A 3-D finite element based stress analysis is implemented in ABAQUS to understand the combined sensitivity of axle loading, negative temperature curling, and a permanent gap developing at the four outer slab corners due to compaction or erosion of the unstable open-graded drainage course (OGDC). These predictions show that mid-slab tensile stresses can exceed the fatigue limit (45% of the flexure strength) of un-cracked concrete. Fatigue damage causes crack initiation followed by stable crack growth, and in the final stage rapid crack propagation leading to failure occurs. Once a crack initiation has developed fracture mechanics is a more accurate tool to evaluate the remaining load-carrying capacity. Fatigue life predictions using a fracture mechanics-based fatigue model and three strength-based fatigue models are compared. Significant differences in fatigue life are obtained. A laboratory study is currently underway to determine the remaining fatigue life of concrete containing a partial depth crack.

• INTRODUCTION

• FINITE ELEMENT MODELING

• EXPERIMENTAL PROGRAM

• CONCLUSIONS

• ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

• REFERENCES