Abstract
Single-slab models have been widely adopted the design and the analysis of concrete pavement. An implicit assumption of this approach is that the beneficial effects of joint load transfer are ignored. Field measurements and finite element analyses by researchers have shown that joint shear transfer had a significant influence on the state of stresses in the slab when the loads were applied near the joint. Hence, it is of practical significance to quantify the effect of joint load transfer on load-induced stresses in concrete pavement systems. The present study adopts a closed-form theoretical three-slab model to analyze the structural responses of concrete pavements under traffic loading. The analysis concludes that the effects of joint force transfer must be considered in the design and evaluation of concrete pavements in order to provide a structurally sound pavement structure for its intended design life.
