Finite Element Study of Joint Seals in Portland Cement Concrete Pavements

Abstract

Pavement seal behaviors were investigated using the finite element method to obtain a better understanding of their failure mechanisms. This knowledge is needed to explain failures that actually occur in the field and may help to reduce joint seal costs, which are estimated to be $12M annually. The effects of width, depth, and size were evaluated and compared with parabolic predictions. The finite element results indicated that the assumption of a parabolic free surface upon expansion was not applicable in all cases and the strains were not uniform. The finite element results consistently showed high strains at the vertical pavement- joint seal interface, suggesting that failures should occur there first in properly designed joints.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jan 01, 1990
Accession Number
AD1092372

Entities

People

  • Joseph T Holland

Organizations

  • Naval Facilities Engineering Service Center

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Energy and Power Technologies

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Abstracts
  • Air Entrainment
  • Boundaries
  • Buildings And Structures
  • Civil Engineering
  • Compressive Properties
  • Computers
  • Concrete
  • Construction
  • Curve Fitting
  • Databases
  • Energy
  • Energy Consumption
  • Engineering
  • Failure Mode And Effect Analysis
  • Finite Element Analysis
  • Hyperelastic Materials
  • Literature Surveys
  • Materials
  • Mechanics
  • Monitoring
  • Pavements
  • Research Facilities
  • Test Facilities
  • Time Dependence

Fields of Study

  • Engineering

Readers

  • Pavement Materials Engineering.
  • Statistical inference.
  • Tribology (the study of the boundary interaction between sliding surfaces, lubrication, wear and friction).