Horizontal Cracking Mechanism in CRCP

摘要

The purpose of this study is to identify the mechanism of horizontal cracking in continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP). To this end, a numerical model to predict the risk of horizontal cracking in CRCP was developed. Material properties and steel design were considered in the numerical analysis and their effects on the risk of horizontal cracking were investigated. Based on numerical analysis results, laboratory testing was also conducted in order to simulate the horizontal cracking in transverse crack interface in CRCP. A horizontal cracking frame was developed and the mechanism of horizontal cracking was experimentally investigated. Longitudinal steel plays a significant role in developing horizontal cracks in CRCP. Significant stress of concrete develops near longitudinal steel because of steel restraint. It indicates that the horizontal crack perpendicular to maximum stress of concrete can occur near the steel. The horizontal cracks initiate from the transverse crack interface and propagate along the longitudinal steel. The effects of rebar temperature at the concrete placement and the water-to-cement ratio on the concrete rebar bond strength were also investigated experimentally.