Study on the Load Transfer of Transverse Cracks of Continuously Reinforced Concrete Pavements

The current standards and specifications of China for cement concrete pavements do not take into account the load transfer of transverse cracks in the reinforcement design of continuously reinforced concrete pavements (CRCP), whereas the sensitivity of those factors that influence load transfer has not been comprehensively analyzed. To address these problems, this paper analyzes the load transfer mechanism of transverse cracks and builds a numerical model of CRCP with transverse cracks by using the ABAQUS finite element (FE) software. Following the equivalent area principle, the touching area of the wheel tire is simplified as a rectangular area, whereas the tire load is arranged on the edge of the cracks for the mechanical response of an engineering example. The empirical formulas of Grovetti and Zollinger are used to verify the FE results for load transfer efficiency (LTE), while the effects of reinforcement type, base modulus, longitudinal reinforcement ratio, foundation modulus, and crack width on the bottom stress of the CRC slab are evaluated via a sensitivity analysis. The shear stiffness spring element on both sides of transverse cracks can simulate the load transfer well, and the strain and stress contours of the CRC plate under vehicle load are calculated. This engineering entity has an LTE of 89.73% and an excellent load transfer level. The steel rebar, BFRP, and GFRP have LTEs of 89.73%, 88.11%, and 87.73%, respectively, the strong rigid base, rigid base, and flexible base have LTEs of 92.32%, 89.73%, and 89.47%, respectively, the 8, 16, and 24 mm steel diameters have LTEs of 87.77%, 89.73%, and 92.55%, respectively, the 50, 100, and 150 MPa foundation moduli have LTEs of 89.73%, 91.82%, and 99.04%, respectively, and 0.2, 0.5, and 0.8 mm crack widths have LTEs of 94.40%, 89.73%, and 86.49%, respectively.