Experimental study on fatigue strength of airport concrete pavement slab

Abstract

Indoor full-scale pavement slab fatigue tests were conducted on pavement structures with four different foundation types. Cyclic loading was completed on 15 large-scale slab specimens, and loading plate test was conducted to measure the reaction modulus of the foundation. The testing program measured the effects of stress ratio n, joint load transfer coefficient Tw, and foundation reaction modulus K on the concrete slab fatigue resistance. A pavement slab fatigue equation was obtained considering the joint load transfer coefficient Tw and the foundation reaction modulus K. The fatigue strength of pavement slab exhibited a linear relationship with stress ratio n, joint load transfer coefficient Tw, and foundation reaction modulus K on a logarithmic scale. The maximum flexural–tensile stress showed a linear relationship with the ACN/PCN. According to the largest flexural-tensile stress calculated by using the various ACN/PCN, the number of damage cycles could be obtained by using the fatigue equation. The data provided in this study can be used to provide evidence for pavement overload operational standards.