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. 2024 Jul 28;14(1):17337.
doi: 10.1038/s41598-024-68414-7.

Finite element modeling of active cracking in actively reinforced concrete pavement slab exposed to fluctuating temperature

Muhammad Kashif  1 , Ahsan Naseem  2 , Kennedy Chibuzor Onyelowe  3 , Muhammad Rizwan Riaz  1 , Syed Saqib Mehboob  4 , Pieter De Winne  2 , Hans De Backer  2
Affiliations

Finite element modeling of active cracking in actively reinforced concrete pavement slab exposed to fluctuating temperature

Muhammad Kashif et al. Sci Rep. .

Abstract

The continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) system grapples with challenges such as non-uniform transverse crack patterns and the need for substantial reinforcement. Field research on the Belgian CRCP sections along motorway E313 indicates that active cracking induced by partial surface saw-cuts consistently leads to transverse crack patterns. This study introduces an innovative modification to the CRCP: the actively reinforced concrete pavement design (ARCP). The ARCP leverages partial surface saw-cuts to reduce reinforcement needs by replacing continuous-length steel bars with partial-length counterparts. The main objective of the present study is to develop a 3D finite element (FE) model capturing the active cracking behavior of ARCP under realistic external temperature variations. Comparative analysis with CRCP considers early-age crack patterns, crack strain development, and the distribution of maximum steel stress for different steel ratios (0.67%, 0.75%, and 0.85%). FE simulation results align with field data, indicating that ARCP exhibits similar early-age cracking behavior to CRCP but with a significant 24 to 42% reduction in total reinforcement. This innovation presents a promising avenue for addressing CRCP challenges while optimizing material usage in pavement construction.

Keywords: Active cracking; Advanced reinforced concrete slab; Finite element simulation; Partial surface saw-cuts.

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Conflict of interest statement

The authors declare no competing interests.

Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Partial surface saw-cut in the CRCP slab at motorway E313.
Figure 2
Figure 2
Straight transverse crack formation from the saw-cut tip in the E313 CRCP section.
Figure 3
Figure 3
A straight and uniform transverse crack pattern in the CRCP section at motorway E313.
Figure 4
Figure 4
Early entry partial surface saw cut made in the CRCP slab in Illinois, United States .
Figure 5
Figure 5
Straight crack propagation from saw-cuts in the CRCP section .
Figure 6
Figure 6
Influence of the partial surface saw-cut on the progression of crack formation .
Figure 7
Figure 7
Reinforcement details of the CRCP segment.
Figure 8
Figure 8
Varying external air temperature loading.
Figure 9
Figure 9
The boundary conditions of the active crack control CRCP slab (a) 3D view (b) End face view.
Figure 10
Figure 10
Illustration of the impact of element size on total strain evolution at the saw-cut tip.
Figure 11
Figure 11
Refined meshing around the saw cut in the CRCP slab.
Figure 12
Figure 12
Flow chart of the research methodology.
Figure 13
Figure 13
Comparison of the evolution of concrete tensile strength with the maximum tensile stress development along the CRCP slab’s length (at line A) after 3.5 days.
Figure 14
Figure 14
Initiation of cracks at notch tips after 90 h.
Figure 15
Figure 15
Crack propagation after 100 h.
Figure 16
Figure 16
Formation of transverse crack pattern after 144 h.
Figure 17
Figure 17
Illustration of the evolution of the highest stress experienced by the third continuous longitudinal steel bar.
Figure 18
Figure 18
Configuration of reinforcement in ARCP-1.
Figure 19
Figure 19
Configuration of reinforcement in ARCP-2.
Figure 20
Figure 20
Active cracking in ARCP-1 (a) Crack induction after 90 h (b) Crack propagation after 144 h.
Figure 21
Figure 21
Active cracking in ARCP-2 (a) Crack induction after 90 h (b) Crack propagation after 144 h.
Figure 22
Figure 22
Comparing crack strain evolution over time at the notch tip: a comparative assessment involving CRCP, ARCP-1, and ARCP-2.
Figure 23
Figure 23
The peak stress development in the first partial-length bar of ARCP-1, ARCP-2, and the equivalent second continuous-placed bar of CRCP.
Figure 24
Figure 24
Configuration of reinforcement in ARCP with a 0.75% reinforcement ratio employing 16 mm diameter steel bars (a) ARCP-1 (b) ARCP-2.
Figure 25
Figure 25
Crack strain evolution at the notch tip in ARCP-1 and ARCP-2 with a 0.75% steel ratio employing 16 mm and 20 mm steel bar diameters.
Figure 26
Figure 26
Configuration of reinforcement in ARCP with a 0.85% reinforcement ratio employing 16 mm diameter steel bars (a) ARCP-1 (b) ARCP-2.
Figure 27
Figure 27
Crack strain evolution at the notch tip in ARCP-1 and ARCP-2 with 0.75% and 0.85% reinforcement ratios.
Figure 28
Figure 28
Configuration of reinforcement in ARCP with a 0.67% reinforcement ratio using 16 mm diameter steel bars (a) ARCP-1 (b) ARCP-2.
Figure 29
Figure 29
Crack strain evolution at the notch tip in ARCP-1 and ARCP-2 with 0.67% and 0.75% reinforcement ratios.
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References

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