Structural optimization and performance evaluation of precast concrete pavement with composite base layer

This paper proposed a precast concrete pavement structure with the composite base layer comprised of the concrete beam and the filling low strength materials (B-PCP). The mechanical responses of the B-PCP induced by moving wheel loads coupled with temperature loads were analysed using the finite element method. Then the optimal geometry of the concrete beam was determined based on the sensitivity analysis, considering the tensile stress of both the slab and the beam of the base layer, the slab curling, and the faulting. Furthermore, the performance evaluation of the B-PCP was conducted by the numerical analysis and the scale experiment testing, respectively. The results showed that the optical concrete beam was 0.8 ∼ 1.0 m wide and 0.2 ∼ 0.3 m thick. The numerical results showed that the optimal B-PCP structure had a good fatigue resistance performance, and the corresponding slab curling decreased by almost 40% compared with that of the traditional precast concrete pavement. Meanwhile, the scale experiment testing verified that the optimal B-PCP structure exhibited an excellent ability to resist the deformation. The results also showed that the bearing capacity of the optimal B-PCP structure was larger than 350kN, indicating a good bearing capacity.