Effective Temperature Differential in Concrete Pavements

Abstract

To evaluate curling stresses in concrete pavements requires the input of a temperature differential or even a temperature distribution between the top and bottom of slabs. However, the slab temperature fluctuates throughout a day with many weather factors, such as air temperature, sunshine, clouds, and rain. It is still controversial about which measure during a day is the most appropriate input for curling analysis. The stress model adopted in this study to estimate pavement damage was developed with three-dimensional (3D) finite-element analysis. Field temperature measurements during different times of a day at 14 sites in the United States were input to calculate pavement compound stresses due to curling and wheel loads. By introducing fatigue hypothesis, an algorithm was developed to obtain “equivalent damages” and “effective temperature differential.” The calculated effective temperature differentials were further correlated with local climate data.