A Comprehensive Review of Rigid Pavement Design Methods

Abstract

Several methods are available for designing rigid pavements, each with its own set of advantages and limitations. These methods include the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) model (ESAL method), which calculates the total number of equivalent 18-kip single axle loads expected to pass over the pavement during its design life, the classical Portland Cement Association (PCA) procedure (PCA methods), which use empirical relationships between traffic loading, subgrade strength, and concrete slab thickness to determine the required thickness of the pavement. a method published by the Egyptian code, and a modified PCA approach that has been verified in the TKUPAV program. However, it is important to note that the PCA procedure, AASHTO model, and Egyptian code only consider fatigue analysis in their determination of slab thickness based on stresses acting on the slab. They do not consider the impact of thermal variation on the thickness of the slab. Only the modified PCA and PCA verified in the TKUPAV program approach accounts for climatic changes, specifically thermal curling, when designing the slab thickness.