This study focused on the development of an alternative stress estimation procedure to instantly calculate the critical stresses of jointed concrete pavements. Thus, the primary components for stress analysis including gear configurations, total wheel load, tire pressure, a widened outer lane, a tied concrete shoulder, and thermal curling due to a linear temperature differential have to be considered. The well-known ILLI-SLAB finite element program was used for the analysis. The program's applicability, for stress estimation was further validated by reproducing very favorable. Results to the test sections of the Taiwan's North Second Highway with the incorporation of the principles of dimensional analysis and experimental design, a series of finite element factorial runs over a wide range of pavement designs was carefully selected and conducted. Consequently, prediction equations for stress adjustments were developed using a modern regression technique (Projection Pursuit Regression). Subsequently, a simplified stress analysis procedure was proposed and implemented in a user-friendly computer program (TKUPAV) to facilitate instant stress estimations. Together with PCA's cumulative fatigue damage equation, a modified PCA stress analysis and thickness design procedure was also proposed and incorporated into the 'TKLIPA' program This computer program will not only instantly perform critical stress calculations, but it may also be utilized for various structural analyses and designs of jointed concrete pavements. (A)
Abstract