Analysis of shrinkage-induced stresses in concrete pavements

In this paper, the effect of pavement material properties as well as slab–base interfacial characteristics on the shrinkage-induced stresses in concrete pavements is investigated by application of an analytical shrinkage stress model. The model is based on the interfacial friction stress transmitted between slab and base when concrete shrinks. A bilinear model describing the frictional stress-slippage behaviour of a slab–base interface is adopted in the modelling. By model calculations, the influences of the time-dependent material parameters, such as shrinkage strain, elastic modulus and strength of concrete, as well as the time-independent parameters such as slab–base interfacial characteristics and slab length, on the development of shrinkage-induced stresses in concrete pavements are analysed. The closed-form expression of the minimum slab length or transverse crack spacing based on the assumption that the maximum shrinkage stress in the slab falls below the tensile strength of concrete under a given concrete tensile strength and shrinkage strain is obtained. The minimum shrinkage strain and the minimum slab length required to crack the concrete pavements are provided.