Structural Response of Concrete Pavements under Moving Truck Loads

Abstract

While there has been a great deal of research conducted on concrete pavement performance and deterioration under static loads, only very limited research has been carried out on its dynamic response. Furthermore, opinions differ as to which type of loading (static or dynamic) results in greater values of slab deflection or flexural stress. In the present study, a test section consisting of two jointed reinforced concrete pavement and two jointed plain (unreinforced) concrete pavement was constructed and tested under both quasistatic and dynamic truck loads. Truck load was allowed to wander at predetermined locations on the instrumented pavement at speeds from 5 to 55 km/h. Strain gauges and displacement transducers were installed along the test section to monitor the pavement responses. Time history responses of the test section were recorded and used to validate a finite-element model developed in the ANSYS platform for further sensitivity study on those parameters affecting the dynamic response of concrete pavements. Results indicate the significance of dynamic amplification in concrete pavement design.