Principles of Structural Design, Mix Design, and Construction of Concrete Pavements

Producing high-performance and long-lasting rigid pavements is a complex process that integrates appropriate design and materials, quality construction practices, timely maintenance, and overall adequate pavement management. The design of pavements requires more than "thickness design" for carrying flexural stresses. Structural design is based on the concept of limiting stresses and deformations to prevent excessive damage and deterioration of pavements. Recommendations for dowel diameter size should be based on the thickness of the pavement slab. FHWA recommends that the minimum dowel diameter should be at least one-eighth the pavement thickness. The American Association of State and Highway Transportation Officials (AASHTO) method relates the axle equivalency method to the pavement damage based on loss of pavement serviceability as related to the standard 18 kip single axle load. The Portland Cement Association (PCA) method determines the damage caused by each vehicle type in the traffic stream and accumulates the total damage over the life span of the pavement.