EFFECTS OF JOINT LOAD TRANSFER ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT
RESPONSE
LIU Wei
Research Scholar
Department of Civil Engineering
National University of Singapore
10 Kent Ridge Crescent
SINGAPORE 119260
Fax: 65-6779-1635
E-mail: engp2472@nus.edu.sg
FWA Tien Fang
Professor
Department of Civil Engineering
National University of Singapore
10 Kent Ridge Crescent
SINGAPORE 119260
Fax: 65-6779-1635
E-mail: cvefwatf@nus.edu.sg
Abstract: Single-slab models have been widely adopted the design and the analysis of concrete
pavement. An implicit assumption of this approach is that the beneficial effects of joint load
transfer are ignored. Field measurements and finite element analyses by researchers have
shown that joint shear transfer had a significant influence on the state of stresses in the slab
when the loads were applied near the joint. Hence, it is of practical significance to quantify the
effect of joint load transfer on load-induced stresses in concrete pavement systems. The present
study adopts a closed-form theoretical three-slab model to analyze the structural responses of
concrete pavements under traffic loading. The analysis concludes that the effects of joint force
transfer must be considered in the design and evaluation of concrete pavements in order to
provide a structurally sound pavement structure for its intended design life.
Key Words: concrete pavement, joint load transfer, three-slab model, slab properties,
modulus of subgrade reaction
1. INTRODUCTION
A concrete pavement system consists of a number of Portland cement concrete slabs, finite in
length and width, resting on a multi-layered sub-structure. Joints are normally placed in the
concrete pavement system to provide space to accommodate thermal movements of the
concrete slab and to control cracking. Hence, the structural system inevitably requires a load
transfer device such as dowel bars or tie bars to bridge the joint. An efficient load transfer
device helps to relieve pavement stresses and reduce slab deflectio