3 dimensional stress analysis of portland cement concrete pavement with airy stress functions and finite element method

In this study, three different concrete thickness (15 cm, 20cm and 25 cm) and three concrete classes (C20, C25, C30) design paremeters were considered. Mechanistic empirical design concepts were compared by utilizng the finite element model, Westergard and Airy equations. It was found that results from Airy functions were not reasonable compared to Westergard results suggesting that Airy functions are not suitable for stress computations in concrete pavement designing. Results based on finite element analysis indicated that C20, C25 ve C30 concretes will fail for 15 cm thickness but will tolerate for 20 cm and 25 cm thickness. Increasing the layer thickness of 5 cm approximately 16.7% decrease was observed in thevertical deflection. A comprehensive study has been initiated to determine concrete pavement roads performances in Blacksea region based on mechanistic-empirical analysis principals. Accelerated pavement test facility which is the only in Turkey and one of the unique systems in the world, has been utilized in this research program.