الملخص الإنجليزي
The main objective of this work is to study experimentally the behavior of
rigid pavements under different loading conditions using different types of soils
representing the local conditions in the Sultanate of Oman. The investigation
included the study of the deflection load transfer efficiency for different types of
joints.
The methodology and scope of work of this project included the study of the
properties of fine sand and coarse aggregate used in the subgrade material and the
properties of the concrete materials used in manufacturing the proposed slabs. The
experimental program of this work includes manufacturing and testing of six rigid
slab samples of size 900 x 1760 x 100 mm. Three types of joints were tested
including continuous (no joint), contraction joints, and contraction joints with
dowels. First, each sample was tested within the uncracked elastic stage using
different loading positions. After that, the sample was tested incrementally until
failure for the critical load position.
The results of this study indicate that the use of the joints in rigid slabs allows
transferring apart of the applied load to unloaded slab. In general, the joints used
have a significant reduction in deflection and strains. The performance of the
contraction joints with dowels was found better than the contraction joint in
transferring the load and reducing the deflections. The use of a fine sand subgrade
was found better in reducing the deflection of the rigid slabs at the time of loading.
