Design of pavement structures consisting of paving slabs with hydraulically bound joints and bedding

Abstract

To meet the needs for higher-ranked roads and traffic loads, rigid slab pavements with cement-bound bedding material and joints were analysed instead of the traditionally used unbound construction method. Since the bearing capacity and drainage of the upper base course are essential, the results of recently introduced laboratory fatigue tests for permeable concrete were considered. Additionally, fatigue tests were also conducted on concrete and natural stone slabs. The structural response of the superstructure was determined by introducing an finite-element-model that considers bound behaviour in the joints and between the slab-bedding-interface. With the derived fatigue criterions and the structural primary response of the FE Model, the deterioration under traffic load can be evaluated. The main objective of this paper is the development of a design procedure for slab pavements with cement-bound joints and bedding on a pervious concrete base course to deduce suitable standard structures in accordance with Austrian directives.