Parameters back-calculation for concrete pavement with two slab layers

Abstract

This paper presents a new procedure for back-calculating the properties of a concrete pavement with two slab layers using deflection measurements from nondestructive deflection testing. The two slab layers are first represented by an equivalent single slab layer based on the principle of equivalent flexural rigidity. In the back-calculation analysis, the pavement deflection response under load is evaluated using an analytical model for a slab supported on an elastic foundation. Employing a closed-form back-calculation algorithm, it is shown that the back-calculated equivalent radius of relative stiffness and subgrade modulus are unique and independent of the characteristics of the two slab layers. It follows that the equivalent flexural rigidity for the two slab layers is also unique. The next step employs a trial-and-error algorithm to back-derive the moduli of the two slab layers by matching the equivalent flexural rigidity. An upper bound and a lower bound to the modulus can be established for the slab layer with the higher modulus. Similarly, an upper bound to the modulus can be found for the slab layer with the lower modulus. Four numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the use of the proposed back-calculation method.