Title:
Evaluation of Coefficient of Thermal Expansion Test Protocol and Its Impact on Jointed Concrete Pavement Performance
Author(s):
Shervin Jahangirnejad, Neeraj Buch, and Alexandra Kravchenko
Publication:
Materials Journal
Volume:
106
Issue:
1
Appears on pages(s):
64-71
Keywords:
coarse aggregate; coefficient of thermal expansion; jointed concrete pavement; portland cement concrete
DOI:
10.14359/56318
Date:
1/1/2009
Abstract:
A laboratory investigation was conducted to determine the coefficient of thermal expansion (CTEPCC) of typical concrete paving mixtures made with coarse aggregate from eight different sources in Michigan. The primary aggregate class included limestone, dolomite, slag, gravel, and trap rock. The CTEPCC was determined using the provisional AASHTO TP60 protocol. Three replicate test specimens were fabricated for each mixture-age combination. The test specimens were moist-cured for 3, 7, 14, 28, 90, 180, and 365 days prior to testing. The average measured CTEPCC values ranged from 4.51 to 5.92 µe/°F (8.11 to 10.65 µe/°C)C). The test results indicated that aggregate geology, specimen age at the time of testing, and the number of heating-and-cooling cycles that the specimen is subjected to have a statistically significant (at a confidence level of 95%) impact on the magnitude of measured CTEPCC. The paper also discusses the practical impact of the test variables on the transverse cracking performance of jointed plain concrete pavements.