Temperature curling and gradient of roller-compacted concrete composite pavements

Abstract

Rational design requires a realistic evaluation of the effect of curling stress on the long-term performance of roller-compacted concrete composite pavement (RCCCP). The primary purpose of this study is to quantify the thermal behavior of RCCP, as well as the effects of the aggregate type and the hot mix asphalt (HMA) overlay on it. The research problem concerns thermal gradient and the curling caused by thermal gradient, which can be destructive, particularly with wheel loads and in the corners of the slab. The study also aims to find a method for reducing the amount of thermal gradient and curling in roller-compacted concrete pavement (RCCP). In this regard, the current study evaluated the effect of aggregate type and HMA overlay on the top of RCCP. This study involves field instrumentation of newly constructed RCCP using temperature and deflection sensors. The most significant findings of this research are as follows: 1) The use of silica aggregates in RCCP results in a 10% increase in thermal gradient throughout the depth compared to the application of lime aggregates. 2) HMA overlay on RCCP diminishes the maximum thermal gradient by up to 20%. 3) A second-order power function describes the temperature gradient of RCCP more accurately. 4) It is suggested, based on the thermal gradient trend, that concrete pavements be designed as a two-layer system. 5) The curling of RCCP made with silica aggregate is roughly-two to two-and-a-half times that of RCCP made with lime aggregate. In addition, implementing an HMA overlay can increase temperature curling by 30 to 50 percent.