Design of Rigid Pavement:

[The Design of Rigid Pavements should conform to the standards as specified in IRC:58 2002]
Rigid Pavement design by Westergaard method (as modified by Teller & Sutherland and
Thomlinson) primarily is a method involving following major steps
1) Design of Joint Spacing
a) Design of Contraction Joint
b) Design of Expansion Joint
2) Design of thickness for stresses
a) Evaluation of Temperature Stresses
b) Evaluation of Stresses due to Wheel Load
3) Design of Joints
a) Design of Dowel Bar
b) Design of Tie Bar

1.a) Design of Contraction Joint:

Contraction Joint is used to resist the frictional drag developed due to change in
temperature. It is given by the following formula and its recommended maximum value is
4.5m.
2 10 f tc
4

Lc
c
where, Lc = Length of Contraction Joint (m)
ftc = Allowable Tensile Stress in Concrete (kg/cm2)
c = Unit Weight of Concrete (kg/cm3)
= Coefficient of Friction
1.a) Design of Expansion Joint:
Expansion Joint is used to allow space for the expansion of the slab during rise in
temperature and is given by the following formula with recommended maximum value of
140m. Generally the length of expansion joint is made a multiple of contraction joint length
with a limiting maximum value obtained from the expression

Le
200 Tc t s
where, Le = Length of Expansion Joint (m)
Tc = Thermal Coefficient of Concrete (/c)
ts = Maximum Seasonal Variation in Temperature (c)
= The allowable joint gap (cm)
The length of contraction joint is considered as the Longitudinal Length of the Slab.

2. Evaluation of Temperature and Load Stresses

Due to temperature (and also load) stresses developed in the slab in three critical
regions
i) Edge Stress ii) Corner Stress and iii) Interior Stress

The design procedure is same for all the three positions. The steps of design are as
follows
Step I) The stresses developed in Edge (Ste), Corner (Stc) and Interior (Sti) of a
Pavement Slab due to temperature variation are determined for a trial slab thickness
 Step II) This stress values are subtracted from the Allowable Flexural Stress (fsc)
of concrete to obtain the Residual Stresses (R) at these three regions.
Re = fsc Ste
Rc = fsc Stc
Ri = fsc Sti
Step III) The stresses developed in Edge (Se), Corner (Sc) and Interior (Si) due
to wheel load of a Pavement Slab are determined for the trial slab thickness.
Step IV) The Factor of Safety of design at these three regions are determined as the
ratio of Residual Stress and corresponding Stress due to Wheel Load. The minimum of these
three FOS is taken as the design FOS. If Design FOS is greater than 1, the design is OK, else
the trial thickness is to be increased and Steps I to IV are repeated.

In order to calculate the temperature and load stresses certain parameters are to be
evaluated first. They are
1. Radius of Relative Stiffness (l)
1
E.t
3
4
l 2
where, l = Radius of relative stiffness in cm
12k (1 )
E = Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete (kg/cm2)
t = Trial Thickness of slab in cm
k = Modulus of subgrade reaction (kg/cm3)
= Poissons Ratio of Concrete.
2. Warping Stress Coefficient (C)
L
Warping (Thermal) Stress Coefficient has two values depending on the
l
ratio where L represents longitudinal and transverse length.
L
CX is a variable depending on R X X and
l
L
CY is a variable depending on RY Y Where, LX = Longitudinal Length of Slab (cm)
l
LY = Transverse Length of Slab in cm.
3. Radius of Equivalent Distribution of Pressure (b)
a
b 1.6a t , when 1.724 and
2 2

t
a
b a, when 1.724 where, a = radius of equivalent load contact area in cm
t
t = thickness of slab in cm.

The stresses in pavement slab due to temperature are given by the following formulae
C.E.Tc .Tt
a) Stress at Edge = S te kg/cm2
2
E.Tc .Tt a
b) Stress at Corner = S tc kg/cm2
3.1 l
E.Tc .Tt C X CY
c) Stress at Inside = S ti
2
kg/cm where Tt = Temperature difference
2 1 2

in top & bottom surface of a slab of thickness t cm.
The stresses in pavement slab due to wheel load are given by the following formulae

a) Stress at Edge = S e 0.529 2 1 0.54 4 log10 log10 b 0.4048 kg/cm2
P l
t b
3P a 2
1 .2

b) Stress at Corner = S c 2 1 kg/cm2

t l
P l
c) Stress at Inside = S i 0.316 2 4 log10 1.069 kg/cm2
t b
Where P = Wheel Load in kg.
Adjustment for traffic volume
The thickness of the slab so designed is to be adjusted for projected design traffic
volume (depending on current traffic, rate of growth and design life) by the amount as given
in following table
Traffic Class Design Traffic Volume (veh/day) Adjustment of thickness (cm)
A 0 to 15 -5
B 15 to 45 -5
C 45 to 150 -2
D 150 to 450 -2
E 450 to 1500 0
F 1500 to 4500 0
G More than 4500 +2

3.a) Design of Dowel Bar:

Design of Dowel Bar includes
I. determination of length of dowel bar and
II. determination of Dowel Bar Spacing

Length of the Dowel Bar (Ld) is determined from trial solution of the
following equation
1
f st Ld 1.5 2
L d 5d
f bc Ld 8.8
where, Ld = Effective Length of Dowel Bar in cm
fst = Permissible Flexural Stress in Dowel Bar (kg/cm2)
fbc = Permissible Bearing Stress in Concrete (kg/cm2)
d = Diameter of Dowel Bar in cm
= Expansion Joint Gap in cm
The total Length of Dowel is given as (Ld + )

According to IRC, Load Transfer Capacity of a single Dowel in

i) Shear = Psh 0.785.d . f ss
2
where fss = Permissible Shear Stress in Dowel
3
2.d . f st
ii) Bending = Pbe
Ld 8.8
2
d .Ld . f bc
iii) Bearing = Pbr

12.5 L d 1.5
The Lowest of these three values (P) is taken as the Design Load Transfer Capacity of a
Single Dowel.
The Load Capacity of the Dowel System is generally 40% of the Wheel Load.
The required Load Capacity Factor is the ratio of Load Capacity of the system and
that of a single bar.
The Dowel Bars are effective over a span of 1.8l where l is the radius of relative stiffness
calculated on the basis of adjusted thickness.
It is assumed that the capacity of a single dowel bar varies linearly from the location under
the load having 100% or 1 to a distance 1.8l having 0.
1.8l x
At any location at a distance x from the load position the capacity is given by
1.8l
so the capacity of each Dowel Bar is calculated on the basis of a trial spacing between
Dowels and checked whether the total capacity is more than required capacity factor or not.
If the actual capacity for a spacing s is less than the required capacity value then the spacing
is further reduced and the process is repeated.
For a spacing ds the Capacity Factor of the Dowel System is given by a general form like
n 1 1.8l i.d
D.C.F s
where n is such that n 1.d s 1.8l but n.d s 1.8l
i 0 1.8l

3.b) Design of Tie Bar:

LY . . c .t
The required Area of Tie Bar As cm2/m
100. f st
100 a s
The Spacing of Tie Bar required = cm where as = Area of one Tie Bar
As
d tie f st
The Length of a Tie Bar is given by, Lt cm
2 f bs
Where dtie = Diameter of Tie Bar (cm)
and fbs = Bond Stress in concrete
Ex. R1: For a rigid pavement, design the following components using the following data
(1) Spacing of Joints
(2) Thickness of slab
(3) Dowel Bars
(4) Tie Bars
Follow the IRC recommended method and use following properties
i) Width of Expansion Joint Gap = 25 mm
ii) Maximum variation in temperature between summer and winter = 35c ts
iii) Modulus of Sub-grade reaction = 8 kg/cm3 k
iv) Width of Slab = 3.5 m LY
v) Coefficient of Friction = 1.5
vi) Design Traffic Intensity = 4420 veh/day
vii) Diameter of Dowel = 20mm
viii) Diameter of Tie Bar = 10mm

Other standard values are

i) Design Wheel Load = 5100 kg P
ii) Radius of Equivalent Contact Area = 15 cm a
iii) Modulus of Elasticity of Concrete = 3105 kg/cm2 E
iv) Thermal Coefficient of Concrete = 1010-6 /c TC
v) Unit Weight of Concrete = 2400 kg/cm3 c
vi) Poisson Ratio of Concrete = 0.15
vii) Flexural Strength of Concrete = 40 kg/cm2 fsc
viii) Tensile Strength of Concrete = 0.8 kg/cm2 ftc
ix) Bearing Strength of Concrete = 100 kg/cm2 fbc
x) Load Transfer through Dowel = 40%
xi) Flexural Strength of Dowel Bar Steel = 1400 kg/cm2 fst
xii) Shear Strength of Dowel Bar Steel = 1000 kg/cm2 fss
xiii) Bond Strength of Deformed Bar = 24.6 kg/cm2 fbs

Answer
1.a) Design of Contraction Joint:
2 10 0.8
4

Spacing of Contraction Joint is given by Lc 4.4m

2400 1.5
1.a) Design of Expansion Joint:
2.5
Spacing of Expansion Joint is given by Le 6
35.7 m
200 10 10 35
Provide Le as a multiple of Le = 4.4 8 = 35.2m

Longitudinal Length of the Slab = LX = 4.4m

2. Design of Thickness of Slab

Let us consider a trial slab thickness of 25cm t

The temperature differential between top and bottom surface of a 25cm slab is
obtained as 16.2c Tt (standard values are available)
 (a) Radius of Relative Stiffness (l)
1
3 10 5 25 3 4
l 2
84cm
12 8 (1 0.15 )
(b) Warping Stress Coefficient (C)
L X 440
5.23 CX = 0.79
l 84
LY 350
4.17 CY = 0.59
l 84
Thus the design value of Warping Stress Coefficient C = 0.79
(c) Radius of Equivalent Distribution of Pressure (b)
a 15
0.6 1.724
t 25
b 1.6 15 25 31.38cm
2 2

The stresses in pavement slab due to temperature are as follows

6
0.79 3 10 10 10 16.2
5

a) Stress at Edge = S te 19.2 kg/cm2

2
6
3 10 10 10 16.2 15
5

b) Stress at Corner = S tc 8.1 kg/cm2

3.1 0.15 84
6
3 10 10 10 16.2 0.79 0.15 0.59
5

c) Stress at Inside = S ti 21.8 kg/cm2

1 0.15
2
2

The Residual stresses are calculated by Res = fsc - St

Residual Stress at Edge = 40 19.2 = 20.8 kg/cm2
Residual Stress at Corner = 40 8.1 = 31.9 kg/cm2
Residual Stress at Inside = 40 21.8 = 18.2 kg/cm2

The stresses in pavement slab due to wheel load are as follows

a) Stress at Edge

1 0.54 0.15 4 log10
5100 84
S e 0.529 log10 31.38 0.4048 13.1 kg/cm2

2
25 31.38
3 5100 15 2
1.2

b) Stress at Corner = S c 1 19.8 kg/cm2

84

2
25
5100 84
c) Stress at Inside = S i 0.316 4 log10 1.069 7.2 kg/cm2

2
25 31.38
The FACTOR OF SAFETY at different region is calculated by
Re sidual _ Stress
FOS
Load _ Stress
20.8
Factor of Safety at Edge = 1.58
13.1
31.9
Factor of Safety at Corner = 1.6
19.8
 18.2
Factor of Safety at Inside = 2.52
7.2
Factor of Safety of the system = Least of the three = 1.58 > 1
The trial thickness is Ok.

Adjustment for traffic volume

Design Traffic at the end of Design Period = 4420veh / day

The thickness of the slab so designed is to be adjusted for projected design traffic volume
(depending on current traffic, rate of growth and design life) by the amount as given in
following table

Traffic Class Design Traffic Volume (veh/day) Adjustment of thickness (cm)

A 0 to 15 -5
B 15 to 45 -5
C 45 to 150 -2
D 150 to 450 -2
E 450 to 1500 0
F 1500 to 4500 0
G More than 4500 +2

The Projected Design Traffic falls in CLASS F. So no adjustment is required.

PROVIDE 25 CM thick CC Slab

3. Design of Dowel Bar:

Dowel Bar Diameter = 20 mm
Length of the Dowel Bar (Ld) is determined from trial solution of the
following equation
1 1
1400 Ld 1.5 2.5 2
L 3.75 2

Ld 5 2 10 14 d
100 Ld 8.8 2.5 L 22
d
L 1.5 2.5 Ld 3.75
Ld 100 14 d 1400
2

L d
8.8 2.5 dL 22

Ld Ld 22 1400 Ld 3.75
2

Ld 22 Ld 1400 Ld 5250 0
3

Ld 30.2cm found by trial solution of the cubic expression

The total Length of Dowel is given as (Ld + ) = 30.2 + 2.5 = 32.7cm

According to IRC, Load Transfer Capacity of a single Dowel in

i) Shear = Psh 0.785(2) (1000) 3140kg
2

3
2(2.0) (1400)
ii) Bending = Pbe 429kg
30.2 8.8(2.5)
2.0 30.2 100
2

iii) Bearing = Pbr 429kg

12.530.2 1.5 2.5
 Design Load Transfer Capacity of a Single Dowel = 429 Kg
The Load Capacity of the Dowel System = 40% of Wheel Load = 0.45100 = 2040 Kg

2040
The required Load Capacity Factor = 4.8
429
The Effective Length of Dowel Bar System = 1.8l = 1.8 84 = 151.2cm
Assuming a trial spacing of 25cm the available Capacity Factor of the group =
151.2 25 151.2 50 151.2 75 151.2 100 151.2 125 151.2 150
1 3.52
151.2 151.2 151.2 151.2 151.2 151.2
Similarly, for a spacing of 17.5 cm Available Capacity Factor = 4.83 > 4.8
Provide a Dowel Spacing of 17.5cm

4. Design of Tie Bar:

3.5 1.5 2400 25
The required Area of Tie Bar As 2.25 cm2/m length
100 1400
100 (1)
2

The Spacing of Tie Bar required = 4 34.9 cm

2.25
Provide 10mm dia Tie Bar at a spacing of 34cm
1 1400
The Length of a Tie Bar, Lt 28.5 cm
2 24.6
Provide 1cm dia Tie Bar of Length 30cm at 34cm c/c