Impact of Climate Related Changes in Temperature on Concrete Pavement: A Finite Element Study

Abstract

Thermal cracking of concrete is a common cause of deterioration and it is due to temperature difference constraining concrete contraction. With the addition of repetitive loading, micro-cracks are expected to propagate through the slab due to both external loadings and erosion in the cracks. This research aims to develop a three-dimensional finite element model of a jointed plain concrete pavement system and evaluate stress characteristics under high severity climate change temperature scenarios for 2007, 2030, 2050 and 2070 in South East Queensland. A series of static analyses are performed to replicate a standard vehicle axle wheel loads approaching and leaving the concrete joint. The tensile stress is measured on the top of the concrete slab at critical locations in both the longitudinal and transverse direction. Results for thermal-expansive stresses show that the likelihood of cracking in concrete increases significantly with changes in temperature gradients due to hotter climate causing downward curling of slab. Further, for temperature loading alone the tensile stress increases by a maximum of 1.37 MPa from 2007 to 2070.