Airfield rigid pavement thickness design accounting for top-down cracking

Abstract

The top-down cracking in concrete slabs has not been directly simulated in structural analysis models used for airfield rigid pavement design by the Ukrainian Standard. Empirical formulas for the calculation of top tensile stress and the coverages to failure using the criterion of top tensile stress are obtained. Computer program “Aerodrom 380” has been developed for the design of airfield rigid pavement. It provides the required thickness of a concrete slab needed to support an Airbus 380 over a particular subgrade, determines pavement anticipated life and uses the bottom and top tensile stresses as design factors.