Methodology for Computing Dynamic Response of JPCP Subject to Moving Axle Load Considering Combined Effects from Pavement Roughness and Temperature Curling

Temperature curling in jointed plain concrete pavement (JPCP) modifies the pavement surface elevation and the supporting conditions at the slab bottom, and thus affects stresses generated in JPCP when subject to moving vehicle loads. It is necessary to consider the coupled effect from the pavement roughness and temperature curling to analyze the dynamic responses of JPCP. A methodology is proposed in this study to generate the dynamic loads applied to JPCPs from moving vehicles by considering the effect from pavement roughness levels (A, B, C, and D) and the temperature curling (ΔT=0°C, +27°C, and −27°C). The power spectral density (PSD) function is used for generating the pavement roughness, which is then superposed by the temperature curling to form the total surface elevation of JPCP. The calculated total surface elevation is then input to the numerical JPCP model for dynamic response analysis to compute the stress generated at the five critical locations of the JPCP. The influences of original surface roughness and the temperature curling on the dynamic load ratio and the generated stresses are discussed based on the calculated results. It is found that temperature curling has a minor effect on pavement surface elevation and the dynamic load ratio but has a significant effect on the generated stresses in JPCP subject to moving vehicle loads. The results of this study illustrate the necessity of considering the coupled effects from pavement roughness and temperature curling when conducting dynamic analysis of JPCPs, which is beneficial for obtaining the true status of JPCPs in the field for reasonable design, performance evaluation, and maintenance planning.