A fracture mechanics approach towards evaluating the cracking potential of a concrete pavement due to corrosion of a dowel basket assembly

Title: A fracture mechanics approach towards evaluating the cracking potential of a concrete pavement due to corrosion of a dowel basket assembly
Author(s): R. O. Rasmussen, S. L. Tritsch, P. K. Nelson, D. J. Turner, A. K. Schindler
Paper category : conference
Book title: Fifth International RILEM Conference on Reflective Cracking in Pavements
Editor(s): C. Petit, I.L. Al-Qadi and A. Millien
Print-ISBN: 2-912143-47-0
e-ISBN: 2912143764
Publisher: RILEM Publications SARL
Publication year: 2004
Pages: 71 - 78
Total Pages: 8
Nb references: 12
Language: English

Abstract: This paper includes an analytical approach that has been developed and employed in the investigation of potential slab cracking due to the corrosion of a steel wire dowel basket assembly (a wire frame that maintains the position of the dowels during concrete paving operations). Details of the theoretical approach are presented along with an integrated numerical example. The theory employed includes a series of rational analytical methods, concluding with a fracture mechanics based behavior assessment. The analysis includes a number of steps including the identification of analysis inputs, followed by materials characterization, and finally pavement response. In the numerical example given, it is demonstrated that for a typical highway pavement, the stresses resulting from the expansive steel wire corrosion are generally not great enough to cause cracking of the surrounding concrete. Using fracture mechanics to compare the stress intensity factor to the typical fracture toughness of paving concrete, a factor of safety between 10 and 13 was calculated.

Online publication: 2004-04-15
Publication type : full_text
Public price (Euros): 0.00