FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF UNREINFORCED CONCRETE PAVEMENTS (IV) : TEMPERATURE STRESSES AND DISPLACEMENTS

The Delft University of Technology (TUD) has undertaken research into the behaviour of unreinforced concrete pavements when subjected to traffic and temperature loads. The two-dimensional finite element program KOLA, which runs on a standard personal computer, is used. This article discusses the results obtained using the KOLA program to analyse the deflections and bending stresses in the middle of the lateral edge of a single unreinforced concrete slab as a function of the temperature gradient. The slab was modelled with vertical springs as support. Calculations were made for 216 slabs, each with different in slab lengths, slab widths, slab thicknesses, strengths, and moduli of subgrade reaction of the substructure. In all the calculations the concrete slab's own weight was taken into account. The temperature loads consisted of temperature gradients ranging from -0.05 to 0.07 degrees Celsius/mm inclusive. The non linear supporting behaviour of the slab was simulated. The most important calculation results of the deflections and bending stresses are presented and discussed. Using further analyses of the calculated temperature stresses, an indication is given of the maximum allowable slab length for unreinforced concrete pavements. For the other articles in this series see IRRD 858052-858054, and 858056-858058.