Crack spacing and crack width investigation from experimental CRCP sections

Abstract

Crack width (CW) and crack spacing (CS) data from full-scale continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) test sections were collected and analyzed for this study. In order to compare CWs obtained under different temperature conditions, the CRCP CW model presented in the new mechanistic–empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) was utilized to standardize the measurements. The MEPDG CS model was compared first to the measured data due to its direct link to CW prediction. Based on the measured material properties, pavement geometry, and climatic conditions, the predicted CS and the CS distribution matched the observations on the three main CRCP sections. Using the same inputs provided in the CS prediction, the CW model in the MEPDG significantly over predicted the measured CW. The CW model was calibrated with the measured data in order to compare CWs between sections acquired at various temperature conditions. At the standard temperature condition, the measured CW varied from 0.031 to 0.116 mm and was smaller for higher reinforcement ratios. The CW formula was modified to allow computation of CW at any slab depth. A study of CW variability in one test section showed a skewed distribution with a right tail.