Mechanical Sensitivity Analysis of BFRP Reinforced CRCP under the Void below Concrete Slab Condition

Abstract

This study proposes a finite element model to simulate traffic loads on continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) by using basalt fiber reinforced polymer (BFRP) bars, considering the void below the concrete slab and the load transfer efficiency (LTE) at the transverse cracks of the slab. Sensitivity analysis of mechanical responses and LTE at the transverse cracks of the BFRP-reinforced CRCP slab under the void below concrete slab condition is conducted using the following parameters: slab thickness and elastic modulus, base elastic modulus, elastic modulus and design of BFRP bars, and foundation modulus. Results show that (1) the mechanical condition of the concrete slab can be significantly improved by increasing the thickness, not the elastic modulus, of the slab. (2) In the case of wide width of the void area below the concrete slab, the mechanical condition of the slab may be worsened by increasing the base elastic modulus. (3) The mechanical condition of the concrete slab can be slightly improved by increasing the elastic modulus of BFRP bars and the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement. (4) The maximum transverse tensile stress on top of the loading slab increases, whereas LTE at the transverse cracks significantly decreases with increasing foundation modulus; these phenomena damage the concrete slab near the transverse cracks in BFRP-reinforced CRCP.