Mechanical-Empirical Model for Predicting the Faulting on Concrete Pavements

A special feature of road pavement with a concrete pavement is the presence of deformation joints. Over time, vertical displacements are observed in the compression joints, leading to the formation of faulting, which impairs the comfort and safety of movement on such pavements. This paper examines the reasons for the occurrence of faulting on concrete pavements. In order to develop a mechanical and empirical model for predicting faulting, full-scale surveys of existing concrete pavements were performed. The surveys allowed obtaining data on the actual values of the faulting in various conditions by climate and traffic composition. Based on the statistical analysis of the data and theoretical assumptions, a cumulative mechanical-empirical model was developed for predicting faulting over time, taking into account changes in the parameters of traffic intensity, as well as seasonal changes in climate parameters. The basis of the mechanical-empirical model for predicting faulting is proposed to use the energy spent on the deformation of the structure in the area of the transverse compression joint. The proposed mechanical-empirical model allows determining the size of the faulting in any period of time, depending on the design features of the road pavement, for example, such as the base material, the distance between the compression joints, the presence of bowel bar connections.