Performance assessment of JPCP and CRCP rigid pavements implementing M-E analysis

Abstract

The Mechanistic-Empirical approach in rigid pavements design, allows to achieving the superstructure damage by calculating incremental degradation. This study has examined two different pavements typologies: JPCP (Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements) and CRC (Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements). Referring to the AASHTO Design Guide the superstructure performances are evaluated in terms of Joint Faulting and Transverse Cracking for JPCP, Punchouts for CRCP, and IRI (International Roughness Index) for both pavements typologies. The performances have been determined using ME-PDG software that is able to evaluate, for JPCP design, the structural fatigue distresses related to Transverse Cracking of PCC slabs and differential deflection related Transverse Joint Faulting. For CRCP, the principal structural distress considered is edge Punchouts. The authors propose the comparison between the different typologies of pavements with the objective of identifying the design solutions more effective with equal materials performance and traffic conditions. These comparisons were carried out by varying the soil class, the climatic conditions and the type of cement concrete. The numerous analyzes performed have enabled to evaluate the influence of different design parameters and then to define useful suggestions that can be used by rigid pavement designers to reduce the occurrence of premature cracking, so as to increase the service life of pavement system.