Crack and vertical behaviors of CRCP using field measurement data
PURPOSES : The purpose of this study is to analyze the crack and vertical behaviors of a continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) under three different steel ratios (0.6%, 0.7%, and 0.8%) using field measurement data acquired from isolated concrete slabs with transverse cracks.
METHODS : Using an LVDT and a crack gauge, CRCP behavior data are acquired by segmenting a concrete slab into multiple sections based on the similarity in the longitudinal steel ratio of each section. To examine the vertical behavior of CRCP based on longitudinal steel ratios, three field experiments are conducted in February, May, and September three years after project completion. The minimum and maximum ambient temperature data for each section are acquired during the experiments. Using the data acquired, the vertical and crack behaviors of CRCP with 0.6% of longitudinal steel ratios are analyzed. In addition, the effect of the steel ratio on the vertical behavior as well as seasonal vertical behaviors are examined.
RESULTS : Analysis of the vertical behavior of concrete slabs with a 0.6% steel ratio shows that the minimum vertical displacement occurred at the center of the slab, whereas a significant vertical displacement is detected on the edges of the slab. Based on examining vertical displacements formed along the direction of transverse cracks, it is observed that the vertical behavior is prominent around the shoulders, whereas similar vertical behaviors are observed at the center and joints of the slab. Furthermore, it is discovered that the minimum crack occurred at the center of the transverse cracks, whereas the maximum crack occurred on the shoulders and joints. Furthermore, it appears that the daily displacements of the vertical behavior at the center of the slab constitute approximately one-half of the daily displacements on the joints. Based on the results of vertical behavior as a function of the longitudinal steel ratios, it is discovered that steel ratios of 0.7% and 0.8% yield the most prominent vertical behaviors around the edge of the shoulder in the winter, spring, and fall seasons. The seasonal deviations of the vertical behaviors based on the measuring positions of the longitudinal steel ratios appear less significant at the center of the slab than those on the shoulder. In particular, for the slab with a steel ratio of 0.8%, subtle vertical behaviors are observed at the center. It is discovered that the seasonal deviation of the vertical behavior measurements varying by the measuring locations of the steel ratios appears less significant at the center of the slab than at the shoulder, and that it decreases with the steel ratio.
CONCLUSIONS : CRCP generates cracks on the slab; however, they are managed by rebars in the CRCP. This study reveals that the major vertical and crack behaviors of CRCP occur around the shoulders than at the center of the CRCP slab. Therefore, new methods for managing cracks on the CRCP shoulder should be developed to improve the performance of CRCP. It is hoped that the results presented herein will be useful for the advanced analysis of CRCP behaviors.