EFFECT OF FROZEN SUPPORT ON CONCRETE PAVEMENT PERFORMANCE

A field program of strain and deflection measurements was conducted. The objective of the program was to evaluate the effect of forzen support, tied-concrete shoulder, and tridem-axle loading on concrete pavement performance. Results of the study on the effect of frozen support are presented in this paper. Field measurements were obtained during October 1982 and February 1983 at five pavement project sites located on I-90 in the State of Minnesota. Measurements included edge and corner deflections andd edge strains. Loadings applied were 20 kip single-axle, a 34 kip tandem-axle, a 42 kip tandem-axle, and a 42 kip tridem-axle. Theoretical analysis was also conducted using a finite element program. Study results indicate that pavement deflections and strains are greatly reduced during winter months when the support is frozen. Based on analysis of these results, it is concluded that the effect of axle loads applied during the winter can be considered to be only 1/7th as damaging as the same loads applied during fall months. (FHWA)