Development of load transfer coefficients for use with the AASHTO guide for design of rigid pavements based on field measurements

A rational procedure was developed for estimating load transfer coefficients for use with the AASHTO guide for the design of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP) based on field deflection measurements. Load transfer coefficients for design of CRCP in Texas were determined using the information available in the rigid pavement database stored at the Center for Transportation Research, The University of Texas at Austin. An evaluation of structural conditions of CRCP sections in the rigid pavement database was performed to assess the ability of in-service CRCP in Texas to transfer load at transverse cracks. A finite-element analysis of CRCP using the ILLI-SLAB program was conducted to identify critical stress positions in CRCP. In addition, a conceptual model for estimating load transfer coefficients for jointed concrete pavements from deflection measurements is presented.