FEM analysis of the influence of reinforcing mesh on concrete pavement performance

Abstract

Reinforcement of concrete pavement slabs with steel reinforcing mesh (KARI mesh) has been regularly used in the Czech Republic. Reinforcing mesh is used for atypical shapes and non-standard (larger) dimensions of pavement slabs (intersections, runways, transhipment areas, etc.). The placement of mesh across the thickness of the slab varies in designs (top, bottom or both surfaces, eventually in centre). The mesh has a positive effect on cracking occurrence during concrete hardening. It is assumed that the reinforcing meshes also contribute to the reduction of tensile stresses caused by cyclic loading from traffic and temperature. The amount of the reduction in concrete depends on the mesh positioning, but also on the specific loading conditions. In this paper, the FEM analysis of concrete pavements with steel reinforcing mesh is carried out. The reduction of maximal value of tensile stress induced by overweight vehicles, temperature and their combination is inspected while using different mesh positioning. The slab dimensions used in the simulation are larger than the usual highway slabs, the dimensions are based on the real transhipment area pavement. The contribution of the reinforcement to limitation of the maximum tensile stress in the pavement due to different reinforcing mesh positioning was determined.