Performance and design of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP)

Anderson, Connor Frank

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https://hdl.handle.net/2142/120187 Copy

Description

Title

Performance and design of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP)

Author(s)

Anderson, Connor Frank

Issue Date

2023-05-05

Director of Research (if dissertation) or Advisor (if thesis)

Roesler, Jeffery R

Department of Study

Civil & Environmental Eng

Discipline

Civil Engineering

Degree Granting Institution

University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign

Degree Name

M.S.

Degree Level

Thesis

Keyword(s)

CRCP, Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavement, Punchout, Y Crack, Performance, CRCP Overlay, Zero-Maintenance

Abstract

The objective of this research project was to update the Illinois Department of Transportation’s (IDOT’s) current design procedure of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements (CRCP) and to develop a design method and design charts for unbonded CRCP overlays over both rubbilized and intact Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement (JPCP) or CRCP. The phases of this project are divided into five separate tasks. The first task is conducting a literature review of various design characteristics of CRCP and CRCP Overlays in Illinois and compile this data in a database (Task 1). Studies of CRC Pavements constructed in other states, like Texas, and countries like Belgium, have been reviewed for data relating to punchouts, crack spacing and widths, and other design features of the pavement such as the base material and saw cut depth. Secondly, performance data of existing CRC pavements in Illinois has been collected (Task 2). The data collected includes design life, age, cumulative traffic, pavement section details, crack spacing, and the number of punchouts per mile for each CRCP contract. This performance data was collected using the IROADS online video database and virtually surveying the constructed CRCP sections. A sensitivity analysis was performed to determine what design inputs CRC Pavements are most sensitive to before the performance model was calibrated with the updated punchout data and to verify that the software was functioning correctly. Then, the data obtained in tasks 1 and 2 was then used to calibrate the performance model for CRCP designs by adjusting the coefficients in the S -Curve Punchout model based off of the damage calculated the Zero-Maintenance Fatigue Equation and the damage calculated based off of performance data collection. Updated UIUC CRCP design charts were then compared to AASHTOWARE Pavement ME slab thicknesses for the same conditions (Task 3) but to accommodate for increase in traffic from a currently existing maximum Traffic Factor (TF) of 100 (100 million ESALs) to a Traffic Factor of 300 (300 million ESALs). Additionally, a CRCP Overlay design method was instituted as the fourth task of this project (Task 4). This method was performed by assessing the performance of 7 CRCP overlay sections in Illinois. The performance of these sections with the provided cumulative traffic and design details were able to be modeled in AASHTOWARE Pavement ME. Based off this calibration of local Illinois inputs (such as support conditions, traffic levels, existing pavement condition), CRCP Overlay Design charts were produced for implementation into Chapter 54 of the BDE. Task 5 includes the implementation of the CRCP design framework completed by Beyer and Roesler (2009) and in this project into Chapter 54 of the BDE Manual with the necessary updates to performance calibration. Additionally, an M-E CRCP overlay procedure for new CRCP overlays over both intact existing JPCP/CRCP and rubbilized JPCP/CRCP pavements up to a Traffic Factor of 300 will be instituted based on the procedures developed in this project.

Graduation Semester

2023-05

Type of Resource

Thesis

Copyright and License Information

Copyright 2023 Connor Anderson

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