Failures of Concrete Slit Drains, Caused by Inappropriate Dilation Material Inserted into Multi-Layer Road Systems

摘要

This paper introduces a real case from construction practice illustrating extensive damage to concrete slit drains, followed by the relevant computer simulation. From the computer simulation and lab tests it follows that the failures of concrete slit drains can be easily caused by deformations of the concrete slabs constituting the surrounding multi-layer road system. Thermally-induced expansions and contractions, as well as concrete shrinkage, produce, in non-dilating connection, stress in the link between the multi-layer road system and the lateral walls of the slit drains. The slit drains are highly sensitive even to a very small malfunction of the expansion joints (e.g. clogging of the slit by solid materials), or their bad installation. It is apparent that failures (cracks) in the slits arise even by the slight compression of a slit drain (to the order of tenths of a millimetre). The analysis presented shows the necessity for a careful installation of expansion joints during the placement of the slit drains into the surrounding multi-layer system, which could induce horizontal pressures on the drains. The study is concluded by recommendations for designers.