DEVELOPMENT OF AN IMPROVED CONTRACTION JOINT FOR PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

THIS REPORT DEALS WITH THE CONTRACTION JOINTS IN PORTLAND CEMENT CONCRETE PAVEMENT. THE VARIABLES STUDIED WHICH AFFECT JOINT BEHAVIOR ARE 1) JOINT SPACING, 2) SUB-BASE STABILIZATION, 3) COATING OF DOWEL BARS, 4) CONFIGURATION OF THE SAWCUT, AND 5) USE OF SKEWED JOINTS. HAND GAGE READINGS, TAKEN MONTHLY, GIVE THE YEARLY CURVE OF JOINT MOVEMENT. ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION IS USED TO GIVE A CONTINUOUS RECORD OF THE DAILY SLAB MOVEMENTS. ELECTRONIC INSTRUMENTATION IS USED TO MEASURE PAVEMENT DEFLECTION UNDER KNOWN AXLE LOADS. A CONDITION REPORT OF THE PAVEMENT AFTER ONE YEAR'S USE IS INCLUDED AND TENTATIVE RECOMMENDATIONS ARE MADE FOR AN IMPROVED CONTRACTION JOINT.