Small-scale joint performance test for concrete pavements

The joint performance of concrete slabs has a significant role in the development of faulting and fatigue cracks in full-depth concrete pavements and overlays. The joint performance refers to the load-related responses of a concrete pavement slab relative to its adjacent slabs. The higher the joint performance, the longer the life of the concrete pavement. The joint performance between the concrete slabs of undoweled joints or across cracks is achieved through aggregate interlock, which largely depends on the concrete strength, crack width, and crack surface texture. The use of structural fibers also influences the crack width, aggregate interlock, and, overall, the joint performance. The objective of this study is to develop an affordable small-scale joint performance test method so that the contribution of the concrete constituents and fibers, if used toward, can be quantified during the concrete mixture design stage. This will enable a better prediction of the life the concrete pavement. The proposed method uses 152 x 152 x 610 mm (6 x 6 x 24 in.) beams to characterize the joint performance of the concrete.