RSM-based assessment of pavement concrete mechanical properties under joint action of corrosion, fatigue, and fiber content

Abstract

High-performance synthetic fiber pavement concrete (HPSFPC) samples are prepared with 0.8, 1, 1.2, and 1.4 kg/m3 fiber. HPSFPC corrosion resistance and fatigue performance are analyzed by comparison against plain pavement concrete (PPC). The mechanical properties of pavement concrete under the joint action of corrosion, fatigue, and fiber content are assessed by response surface methodology (RSM), Design Expert, and Central Composite Design (CCD) software. An RSM model of flexural strength index Sf, compressive strength index Sc, and dynamic elasticity modulus Pn is established and used to determine the influence rules of fatigue iterations, number of sulfate wetting and drying cycles (NSWDC), fiber content, and their interactions on Sf, Sc, and Pn. The RSM model fits well and indeed effectively reveals the mechanical properties of pavement concrete under joint action of corrosion, fatigue, and fiber content. The significant effects on Sf are, in order, fatigue iterations > NSWDC > fiber content; the effects on Sc and Pn are NSWDC > fiber content > fatigue iterations. The interaction between fatigue iterations with NSWDC has the most significant influence on Sc and Pn, while the interaction among the three factors has no significant influence on Sf.