Causes and Effects of Longitudinal Shrinkage and Temperature Stresses on JPCP for Dutch Conditions

In 2010 Houben has published a paper on the modelling of the process of cracking at transverse joints in jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP). Houben uses equations from the standard Eurocode 2 for the time-dependent concrete properties and considers the thermal deformation and the shrinkage (drying and autogenous) for different design and construction conditions. For properties that are not available in standards, Houben made assumptions based on engineering judgment. In this present paper the point of departure is the Houben model, and now the assumptions made in his work are studied more in depth. The paper also includes an improvement of the development of the concrete elastic modulus and strength. Accordingly, the objective of this paper is to improve the theoretical background of the assumptions and the determination of the effects of longitudinal shrinkage and temperature stresses on JPCP for Dutch conditions. Concerning one of the most important influencing factors, the relaxation, a new equation is proposed. From both the theoretical and the practical point of view these improvements describe in a better way the causes and effects of longitudinal shrinkage and temperature stresses on JPCP for Dutch conditions.