Full-Scale Pavement Testing

Analysis of NAPTF Traffic Test Data for the First-Year Rigid Pavement Test Items

Three types of Portland cement concrete pavements were tested in the spring of 2000 at the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) National Airport Pavement Test Facility (NAPTF). These three test items were constructed on subgrades with various strengths (low, medium, and high). Traffic loads consisting of four- and six-wheel carriages at 45,000 lbs per wheel were applied on two lanes of the pavements along the longitudinal joints. After trafficking, corner cracks were observed in all three items. A total of 462 strain gages recorded the strain time history for most tests, and more than 90% of the sensors provided meaningful results. Analysis of a portion of the strain gage data that was received yielded information about when, where, and how the observed corner cracks developed. The analysis of the corner cracking is described in this paper. It is also shown that the results of the strain gage analysis are consistent with the conclusions of the visual distress survey.

Authors: Edward H. Guo, Gordon F. Hayhoe, and David R. Brill