Exploring the Effects of Reinforcement Ratio on Concrete Rigid Pavement Structure in Malang, Indonesia: Experimental Study and Analysis

Abstract

Rigid pavement, known for its superior stiffness compared to flexible asphalt pavements, demands thorough scrutiny of deflection characteristics. Insufficient evaluations of concrete quality, slab thickness, and reinforcement levels can result in significant deflection issues, including slab cracks, pumping, and pavement faulting. This study seeks to evaluate deflection behavior in rigid pavement, considering various reinforcement ratios through experimental analysis using a monotonic static line load. A rectangular concrete slab is placed on soil with a specific California Bearing Ratio (CBR) value to provide support. Reinforcement ratios vary from the smallest to the largest values. Concrete quality is denoted by fc’ with a specified MPa value, and steel quality is indicated as fy with a predetermined MPa value. The findings indicate that deflection in rigid pavement is influenced by the reinforcement ratio, with higher ratios leading to reduced deflection for a given load. The most pronounced deflection is observed in rigid pavement with a particular reinforcement ratio, subjected to a specific load and stress, resulting in a specific deflection magnitude. The relationship between deflection and stress is characterized by sharp and gentle increments in deflection within different stress ranges, as described by proposed linear equations.