FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF UNREINFORCED CONCRETE PAVEMENTS (I) : TRAFFIC LOAD STRESSES AND DISPLACEMENTS

This paper describes work undertaken by The Delft University of Technology (TUD) into the behaviour of unreinforced concrete pavements when subjected to traffic and temperature loads. A two-dimensional finite element program of a single elastic (concrete) slab on an elastic support (called KOLA) is used. This program, which runs on a standard personal computer, is briefly described. KOLA was used to calculate the deflections and bending tensile stresses in a single unreinforced concrete slab, modelled with vertical springs as support, and subjected to traffic loads. Calculations were made for 216 slabs of differing length, width, thickness, strength grade, and modulus of subgrade reaction of the substructure. In all the calculations the concrete slab's own weight was taken into account. The traffic loads consisted of wheel loads ranging from 30 to 90 kN inclusive, and were restricted to the middle of the lateral edge of the slab. The non linear supporting behaviour of the slab was simulated. The most important calculation results of the deflections and bending tensile stresses located in the middle of the bottom lateral edge of the slab are presented and discussed. These are caused by a single wheel load situated in the middle of the same lateral edge. Formulae are derived to assess deflection and bending tensile stress. For the other articles in this series and the evaluation see IRRD 858053-858058.