Finite Element Analysis of Thermal Stress for Continuous Reinforced Concrete Pavement (CRCP)

Abstract

To calculate the displacement and stress of continuously reinforced concrete pavement accurately at any point under a temperature effect, the continuous reinforced concrete pavement stiffness equation, which is based on the contact finite element theory, was developed by considering the frictional resistance effect of the foundation. The calculation was based on the bond-slip effect between the reinforced steel bar and concrete Furthermore, the stress and displacement finite element solution at any part of the entire road section was obtained by considering the combined effect of every crack and lug. As a practical example, the stress distribution and displacement in a reinforced steel bar and concrete was investigated under thermal stress. The value of the steel displacement was assumed as zero. The results show that if this adopted assumption is unreasonable, then the temperature gradient effect cannot be ignored, and the lug closing to the end has the maximum displacement and internal force.