Short-Slab Unreinforced Concrete Pavement and Shoulders: A Five-Year Performance Summary

摘要

In 1975, two contracts for I 88 were built with short unreinforced concrete slabs and concrete shoulders. They were separated by another contract with standard 63-ft 6-in. mesh-reinforced slabs and asphalt shoulders, which is being used for control purposes. Also, two portions on each short-slab contract were built with slab lengths of 23 ft 4 in. and 26 ft 8 in., and one of these sections on each contract was constructed with no longitudinal joint between lanes. In addition, a concrete secondary road relocated as part of another nearby I 88 contract was placed 7 in. thick without reinforcement, with slab lengths in the pattern of 18-22-16-20 ft. After 1 year of service, one of the short-slab pavements on the mainline exhibited an unusual amount of deterioration. Random and longitudinal cracks were present in several areas, as were spalls over the tie-bars across the pavement-shoulder longitudinal joint. This situation led to more intensive monitoring and observation on the experimental and control pavements than had been anticipated during the initial years of service. The results, as well as interpretations and recommeded design considerations, are presented in this report.