Assessment of the Effects of Temperature and Moisture Gradients on Curling and Warping Behavior of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Curling and warping caused by temperature and moisture gradients are well-known issues in concrete pavement slabs. These behaviors are related to both diurnal and seasonal conditions. Excessive curling and warping can produce stresses that increase the potential for concrete cracking under traffic loads and deflections that contribute to pavement roughness that can significantly impact concrete pavement service life and maintenance costs. While previous studies have shown that most curling and warping in concrete pavements occurs during the morning, changes in temperature and moisture that contribute to actual curling-related pavement roughness in field conditions in Iowa are not as well defined. To investigate the effect of temperature and moisture changes on curling and warping behavior, a number of jointed plain-concrete pavements in Iowa were analyzed using a high-speed profiler. A MATLAB algorithm was developed to analyze diurnal and seasonal changes in the pavement profile to characterize the contribution of curling and warping to pavement smoothness. Temperature and moisture gradients in slabs were predicted using the AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design program, and the findings supported an analysis of the sensitivity of roughness caused by curling and warping due to various temperature and moisture conditions in concrete slabs.