Abstract
Aggregate interlock is the dominant load transfer mechanism in non-dowelled Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements, as the innovative short concrete slabs. Although the Load Transfer Efficiency of this pavement innovation is based on that mechanism, the structural design methods do not relate the Load Transfer Efficiency by aggregate interlock with its direct cause, which is the Crack Width under the joints. The objective of the present article is to characterise in the laboratory the Load Transfer Efficiency−Crack Width relation for innovative short slabs Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements. Additionally, as an alternative to large-scale laboratory tests to study the Load Transfer Efficiency, a practical test on a reduced scale is proposed. The results confirmed that short slabs Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements with high-quality aggregates are able to provide adequate Load Transfer Efficiency (above 70%) without dowels bars. Based on the laboratory results, complemented with previous field data, a Load Transfer Efficiency−Crack Width curve is proposed and made available for structural design methods of short slabs Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements. Finally, the laboratory test on a reduced scale is useful to develop specific Load Transfer Efficiency−Crack Width relations using standard equipment available in traditional concrete laboratories.
Highlights
Aggregate interlock is an effective mechanism in transferring loads across discontinuities, such as joints and cracks, in plain or reinforced cement concrete pavements (Ioannides & Korovesis, 1990)
The results satisfy the requirements demanded by standards, which control the use of aggregates in Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs) the OPSS.PROV 1002 Material Specification for Aggregates − Concrete for the Micro Deval test and BS EN 12620:2002+A1:2008 Aggregates for Concrete for Aggregate Impact Value (AIV) and Aggregate Crushed Value (ACV)
The Aggregate Crushed Value value of the Chilean aggregate is only 12%, being 13% and 14% the ACV values for basalt and andesite respectively (Harrison & Bloodworth, 1994), being these rocks recognised by their strong resistance
Summary
Aggregate interlock is an effective mechanism in transferring loads across discontinuities, such as joints and cracks, in plain or reinforced cement concrete pavements (Ioannides & Korovesis, 1990). In non-doweled Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs), the aggregate interlock, is the most influential load transfer mechanism (Buch, Frabizzio, & Hiller, 2000; Hanekom, Horak, & Visser, 2003), being the Crack Width (CW) under the joint the direct cause of its performance (Byrum, Barton, D Rollings, Ioannides, Gemayel, & Tayabji, 2011; Nowlen, 1968; Walraven, 1980; Wattar, 2002). The standard design establishes that short slabs are undo welled JPCPs, (Covarrubias, 2012), their performance is equivalent than traditional JPCPs (Roesler, Cervantes, & Amirkhanian, 2012), but saving up to 25% of the costs (Covarrubias, 2012; Covarrubias, Pablo, & Covarrubias, 2008). Certain aspects of the technology of short concrete slabs have been patented (Covarrubias, 2011; Covarrubias & Pablo, 2012)
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