Joint Shear Transfer Effects on Pavement Behavior

Abstract

This paper focuses on the relationship between shear transfer capabilities across pavement joints and the effects on the behavior of the pavement. The approach of the present study is to develop a numerical model that could accurately represent the mechanism for shear transfer across reinforced concrete pavement joints and implement it in an existing finite element code. That tool is then used for the analyses of various pavements for which experimental data are available; the model is further refined until the numerical results are in good agreement with the experimental information. This approach is employed for the interpretation of pavement behavior under different combinations of joint shear transfer conditions, asphalt concrete overlay thickness and material properties, and the influence of postpumping damage. The results obtained from this study are used for gaining a better understanding of how these various parameters affect pavement damage mechanisms and how such mechanisms would influence pavement behavior.