01368331

Component

This research project was initiated to support the on-going development of advanced structural analysis tools by the Federal Aviation Administration for rigid pavement airfield designs, and to critically evaluate the historical 25% free-edge load bending stress reduction load transfer (LT) factor used in airfield thickness design procedures. Modern finite element method (FEM) jointed slab analysis tools require a thorough understanding of how pavement joints behave such that realistic joint input parameters can be established to use as the basis of designs. This paper summarizes a detailed method for evaluating the joint load transfer behavior for joints in rigid pavements systems. The procedure is based on extensive field evaluations of joint load transfer performed at heavy duty airfield test sites across the USA. This paper provides an overview of the joint load transfer study. The factors affecting joint stiffness and load transfer are described. The range of joint stiffness values measured at test sites is described. Based on analysis models calibrated to reproduce site measurements, the range of load transfer values expected for joints is described. Using estimates of annual variation in slab temperature, it is demonstrated how slab temperature annual frequency distributions into joint stiffness frequency distributions and then into load transfer LT frequency distributions for a pavement design.

This paper was sponsored by TRB committee AFD50 Rigid Pavement Design

01362476

12-4344

English

22p

2012

Transportation Research Board 91st Annual Meeting

Digital/other

Figures; References

Airport runways; Construction joints; Field tests; Finite element method; Load transfer; Pavement design; Stiffness; Structural analysis

Aviation; Design; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I32: Concrete

Transportation Research Board Annual Meeting 2012 Paper #12-4344

TRIS, TRB

Feb 8 2012 5:23PM