TEMPERATURE CURLING IN RIGID PAVEMENTS: AN APPLICATION OF DIMENSIONAL ANALYSIS

This paper presents a closed-form solution to the problem of a slab-on-grade under combined temperature and wheel loading, derived on the basis of finite element results. This solution is in the form of a multiplication factor (function of the temperature differential) to be applied to the Westergaard equation to determine the maximum combined tensile stress in the slab under edge loading. In addition, a sound, engineering approach to numerical, experimental, and field data interpretation is proposed, founded on the principles of dimensional analysis. In view of the wide variety of available data, including those from the Strategic Highway Research Program and from finite element studies, the major problem confronting the profession today is no longer one of data availability, but one of data interpretation. In addressing this problem, the general trend in the last three decades has been to show an overwhelming preference for, and an unlimited confidence in, the results of sophisticated statistical analyses, without much consideration of the underlying engineering interactions among the host of input parameters involved. Although in a highly empirical field such as the study of pavement behavior regression techniques will always be an invaluable tool, the profession can benefit immensely by using dimensional analysis to determine the engineering dependent and independent variables to be examined. Without such exercise of engineering judgment, regression is lamentably bound to remain just that.

• Record URL:
  http://onlinepubs.trb.org/Onlinepubs/trr/1989/1227/1227-001.pdf
• Record URL:
  https://scholar.google.com/scholar_lookup?title=TEMPERATURE+CURLING+IN+RIGID+PAVEMENTS%3A+AN+APPLICATION+OF+DIMENSIONAL+ANALYSIS&author=A.+Ioannides&author=R.+Salsilli-Murua&publication_year=1989
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/0309048222
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper appears in Transportation Research Record No. 1227, Rigid and Flexible Pavement Design and Analysis: Unbound Granular Materials, Tire Pressures, Backcalculation, and Design Methods. Distribution, posting, or copying of this PDF is strictly prohibited without written permission of the Transportation Research Board of the National Academy of Sciences. Unless otherwise indicated, all materials in this PDF are copyrighted by the National Academy of Sciences. Copyright © National Academy of Sciences. All rights reserved
• Authors:
  • Ioannides, Anastasios M
  • Salsilli-Murua, Ricardo A
• Publication Date: 1989

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 1-11
• Monograph Title: Rigid and flexible pavement design and analysis: unbound granular materials, tire pressures, backcalculation, and design methods
• Serial:
  • Transportation Research Record
  • Issue Number: 1227
  • Publisher: Transportation Research Board
  • ISSN: 0361-1981

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Curling; Dimensional analysis; Finite element method; Pavement performance; Regression analysis; Rigid pavements; Temperature; Tension; Wheel loads
• Uncontrolled Terms: Data interpretation; Tensile stress
• Subject Areas: Data and Information Technology; Design; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00495061
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 0309048222
• Files: TRIS, TRB, ATRI
• Created Date: Jun 30 1990 12:00AM