Cost-effective joints configurations of concrete pavements for a sustainable infrastructure

• Autor(a) principal: Pradena,Mauricio
• Data de Publicação: 2015
• Outros Autores: Houben,Lambert
• Tipo de documento: Artigo
• Idioma: eng
• Título da fonte: Journal of Transport Literature
• Texto Completo: http://old.scielo.br/scielo.php?script=sci_arttext&pid=S2238-10312015000200045
• topic: pavements; concrete; joints; sustainable; infrastructure

Abstract Nowadays, there are Concrete Pavements (CPs) with Joints Configurations (JCs) that reduce initial costs about 20%. But are these JCs produced by Early-Entry Saw-Cutting (EESC), Unsealed Joints (UJs) and Shorter Joint Spacing (ShJS) able to maintain the traditional performance of CPs? The aim of this paper is to analyze the effects of the joints behaviour (JB) on the performance of CPs with these JCs. The JB is characterized by joints activation, opening, deterioration and Load Transfer Efficiency (LTE), not in an isolated but in a comprehensive way to determine not only the complete JB, but their effects on the CPs performance, so upon the users. The paper contributes not only with a comprehensive analysis of the innovative JCs, but also with new field experiences, that allow concluding the JCs can maintain or even improve the traditional performance of CPs if the saw-cutting depth ≥ 30% to assure 100% joints activation, joints opening < 1.2 mm, so LTE ≥ 70%. UJs with thin blade (< 3 mm) and limited fines in the base can be used in CPs applications as streets, low volume roads, parking lots, bus corridors (moderate rainfall) and any CP where the seals do not work well.