Crack Width Measurements in Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Crack width is a key pavement performance parameter in continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) because it controls the shear transfer between adjacent slabs. Several full-scale experimental sections were instrumented and tested to determine the crack width (CW) by means of observing variation in crack closing caused by combined load and temperature changes. The mechanical loads were applied to the CRCP section with an accelerated pavement testing machine while horizontal crack movement was acquired at various depths along the vertical edge of the slab. The load and temperature spectra tests found that the CW varied along the depth of the slab and was significantly affected by changes in the average pavement temperature and the temperature differential through the depth of the slab. Since the CW is dependent on the slab’s temperature profile and vertical depth from the surface, the measured CW was reported at the level of the steel and at a standard temperature condition.