Question 9(a).

Create a plot for maximum stress in the slab versus slab thickness for the following thickness: 5 , 10 , 15 , and 20. and discuss result. Solution: Values obtained from KENPAVE are tabulated , for different thickness. Variation of Stress with thickness of slab Thickness Max Stress 5 -362.082 10 -133.923 15 -71.118 20 -43.622 The tabulated values were plotted in excel and plot looks like as shown below.

Maximum Stress vs Thickness

Thickness (in inches) 0 -50 -100 0 5 10 15 20 25

Stress (psi)

-150 max stress (psi) -200 -250 -300 -350 -400

Comment: As observed from the graph, as the thickness of slab increases, the magnitude of stress decreases. Here, negative sign indicates the tension. So, the result seems in coherence of what, is intuitively absorbed i.e. the as thickness increases , the stresses decreases , so as a solution for decreasing stresses, increase in thickness can always be considered as an option.

Question 9 (b). Create a plot of maximum stresses in the slab versus slab stiffness for the following stiffness (for 10 thick slab). 1,000,000 psi ; 4,000,000 psi ; 6,000,000 psi. Discuss your result. Solution: Values obtained from KENPAVE are tabulated , for different stiffness Variation of maximum stress with slab stiffness Slab Thickness = 10 inch Slab Stiffness (10^6) psi Max Stress (psi) 1 -104.355 4 -133.923 6 -142.853 The tabulated values were plotted in excel and plot looks like as shown below.

Maximum Stress vs Slab Stiffness

Slab Stiffness (10^6 psi) -90
0 2 4 6 8

-100
Stress (psi)

-110
-120 -130 -140 -150

max stress (psi)

Comment: From the observed graph, the stress is found to be increases as the slab thickness increases and this is quite different was is intuitively expected i.e. as the stiffness of slab is increased that is strength of slab is increased , stress increases rather than decreasing. So, there is no benefit of increasing the slab stiffness.

Question 9(c). Create a plot of maximum bearing stress on the concrete , due to dowel bars for the following dowel spacing (for 10 thick slab). 6,12,18and 24. Discuss the result. Solution: Values obtained from KENPAVE are tabulated , for different stiffness Variation of Bearing Stress with Dowel bar Spacing Slab Thickness = 10" Dowel bar spacing (in) 6 12 18 24 Max bearing stress (psi) -1940.8 -3272.3 -4351.9 -5273.9

The tabulated values were plotted in excel and plot looks like as shown below.

Max Bearing Stress vs Dowel Bar Spacing

Dowel Bar Spacing (in) 0 0 -1000 5 10 15 20 25 30

Bearing Stress (psi)

-2000 -3000 -4000 -5000 -6000 max stress (psi)

Comment: From the observed graph, bearing stress increasing with the increase in the spacing of dowel bars. So, dowel bar spacing should be kept minimum, but keeping too close is also not recommended, as, some length or area is required for development of bond stress. So proper guidelines should be followed for the spacing of dowel spacing.

Question 9(d). Create a plot of maximum slab stress versus load/tire for the following tire load (for 10 thick slab). 2000lb/tire ; 6000lb/tire; 8000lb/tire. Discuss the result. Solution: Values obtained from KENPAVE are tabulated, for different load per tire.

Variation of Stress with change in tire pressure Slab thickness 10 load per tire Max stress (psi) 2000 -66.956 6000 -200.865 8000 -267.821 The tabulated values were plotted in excel and plot looks like as shown below.

Maximum slab stress vs load per tire

Load Per Tire (lb) 0

0 -50 -100
Stress (psi)

2000

4000

6000

8000

10000

-150
-200 -250 -300

max stress (psi)

Comment: From the observed graph, it can be seen that as load per tire increases, stress increases. There is also linear variation between stress and load per tire. So it can be concluded that as the axle load increases, it calls need for greater strength of slab. So a higher thickness of slab can be taken as one of the solution for increased load per tire.