Proof and Comments on Extensively Used Assumption in PCC Pavement Analysis and Evaluation

Abstract

Load transfer in rigid pavements needs to be appropriately considered for portland cement concrete (PCC) pavement analysis and evaluation. One assumption has been extensively used: that the sum of deflections on two sides of a joint equals the free edge deflection. In this paper, the assumption is theoretically proved to be true when the slabs are in full contact with the base. However, it is also proved that it is generally not true when the slabs are curled up. Therefore, in analysis and evaluation for significantly curled PCC pavements, the assumption should not be used.