2. DESIGN CONSIDERATIONS
2.1 Design Aspects:
The volume changes stresses in CRCP will be taken care by providing sufficient reinforcement to keep the cracks tightly closed while maintaining adequate pavement thickness to counteract the stresses produced by wheel loads. CRCP allows the concrete to develop very fine transverse cracks that seem to be uncontrolled and random. The spacings of transverse cracks that occur in CRCP is an important variable that directly affect the behavior of the pavement. Relatively large distances between cracks result in high steel stresses at the crack and in excessive crack widths. A decrease in crack spacing reduces the steel stresses and crack widths.
2.1.1 Crack Spacing:
The limits on crack spacing are based on the possibility of spalling and punch outs. Based on experience, the maximum spacing between consecutive cracks should be limited to 2.4m to minimize spalling. To minimize the potential of punch outs, the minimum desirable crack spacing is about 1.1m.
2.1.2 Crack Width:
The limit on crack width is based on a consideration of spalling and water infiltration. The crack width should be reduced as much as possible through the selection of higher steel percentage or smaller diameter reinforcing bars. As per AASHTO stipulation the allowable crack width should not exceed 1.0mm.
2.2 Steel Stress:
The limiting stress of 75% of the ultimate tensile strength is recommended. AASHTO Design Nomographs and Equation are available for determining the percentage of longitudinal reinforcement to satisfy the criteria of crack spacing, crack width and steel stress respectively.The optimum amount of steel reinforcement is selected in CRCP so that crack spacing lies between 1.1m to 2.4m, the crack width is less than 1.0mm and steel stress does not exceed 75% of the ultimate tensile strength. CRCP allows the use of slightly smaller load transfer co-efficient compared to JPCP. And hence the thickness requirement is less compared to JPCP. The maximum desirable crack spacing is derived from a correlation between crack spacing and incidence of spalling. Maximum crack spacing is derived from consideration of effect of slab length on the formation of punch-out.
2.2.1 Steel Reinforcement:
The amount and depth of longitudinal reinforcing steel are the most important aspects of steel reinforcement in CRCP as it affects transverse crack spacing and the width of the cracks. The longitudinal reinforcement in CRCP is used to control the fine transverse cracks that form due to volume changes in the concrete. The function of steel is to hold the random cracks tightly closed, to provide structural continuity and to minimize the penetration of potentially damaging surface water and incompressible.
2.2.2 Longitudinal Reinforcing Bars:
These are the main reinforcement in CRCP. The total area of longitudinal reinforcing bars required usually is stated as a percentage of the cross-sectional area of the pavement. The amount of longitudinal reinforcing bars is generally between 0.5% and 0.7% and it may be more where weather conditions are severe and also the temperature differentials are more. Transverse reinforcements are useful to support the longitudinal steel when the steel is preset prior to concrete placement. Transverse reinforcement may be lesser grade.
2.2.3 Transverse Reinforcing Bars:
The function of the bars is as follows:
1. To support the longitudinal bars and hold them at the specified spacing. When used for this purpose, the longitudinal bars are tied or clipped to the transverse steel at specified locations.
2. To hold unplanned longitudinal cracks that may occur tightly closed.
2.3 Typical Design of CRCP:
The following parameters are considered for design:
1. Design Life -> (a) 20 years for Flexible pavement
(b) 30 years for Rigid pavements.
2. Traffic Density ->(a) 5000 Vehicles/day on 4-lane road
For Rigid Pavements:
1. Concrete grade: M40
2. Grade of steel: Fe 415
3. Maximum temperature differential between top and bottom of Slab = 21°C (The maximum value for India as per IRC 58)
4. Difference between mean temperatures of the slab at the time of construction and coldest period = 30°C (Assuming 35°C at the time of construction and 5°C at coldest period)