EFFECT OF DESIGN FEATURES ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE

A major national field study has been conducted into the effect of various design features on the performance of jointed concrete pavement. Such variables as slab thickness, base type, joint spacing, transverse joint load transfer, shoulder type, and drainage were studied. These represent critical areas which current pavement design procedures do not satisfactorily address. Eighty experimental rigid pavement sections representing the four main climatic zones were selected for inclusion in the study. A wide range of design variables were included to provide an indication of their relative impact on pavement performance. Visual condition surveys, roughness, drainage surveys, NOT deflection testing, and coring/boring testing were performed on every section to provide a complete indication of the performance of the pavement and its relevant properties and characteristics. Preliminary findings on the effect of the design features on pavement performance are presented in this paper.