2.

Stresses in Pavements
2.1. Stresses in Flexible Pavements

2.1.1. Stresses in Homogeneous Mass

Boussinesq formulated models for the stresses inside an elastic half-space due to a
concentrated load applied on the surface. A half-space has an infinitely large area and an
infinite depth with a top plane on which the loads are applied. The simplest way to
characterize the behaviour of a flexible pavement under wheel loads is to consider the
subgrade, the subbase, base, and the surfacing layers to form a homogeneous half-space. If the
modulus ratio between the pavement and the subgrade is close to unity, as exemplified by a
thin asphalt surface and a thin granular base, the Boussinesq theory can be applied to
determine the stresses, strains, and deflections in the subgrade.
Error! Reference source not found. Figure 2-1 shows a homogeneous
half-space subjected to a circular load with a radius a and a uniform pressure q. The half-
space has an elastic modulus E and a Poisson ratio, v. A small cylindrical element with centre
at a distance z below the surface and r from the axis of symmetry is shown. Due to
axisymmetry, there are only three normal stresses, σz, σr, and σt, and one shear stress, τrz,
which is equal to τrz. These stresses are functions of q, r/ a, and z/ a.

Figure 2-1: Stresses under axisymmetric circular loading

Foster and Ahlvin have developed charts as provided here from Figure 2-2 to
Figure 2-6 for determining vertical stress σz, radial stress σr, tangential stress σt, shear stress
τrz, and vertical deflection w, assuming the half-space is incompressible with a Poisson ratio
of 0.5.
After the stresses are obtained from the charts, the strains can be computed from

εz =
1
E
[ ]
σ z − ν (σ r + σ t )

εr =
1
E
[ ]
σ r − ν (σ t + σ z )

17
 εt =
1
E
[ ]
σ t − ν (σ z + σ r )

If the contact area consists of two circles, the stresses and strains can be computed by
superposition.

Figure 2-2: Vertical stresses due to circular loading (Foster and Ahlvin, 1954)

Figure 2-3: Radial stresses due to circular loading (Foster and Ahlvin, 1954)

18
Figure 2-4: Tangential stresses due to circular loading (Foster and Ahlvin, 1954)

Figure 2-5: Shear stresses due to circular loading (Foster and Ahlvin, 1954)

19
 Figure 2-6: Vertical deflections due to circular loading (Foster and Ahlvin, 1954)

When a wheel load is applied over a single contact area, the most critical stress, strain, and
deflection occur under the centre of the circular area on the axis of symmetry, where τrz = 0
and σr = σt, so σz and σr are the principal stresses.

The stresses, strain, and deflection on the axis of symmetry of a wheel load applied to a
pavement, which is similar to a load applied to a flexible plate with radius a and a uniform
pressure q, can be computed by:
⎡ z3 ⎤
σ z = q ⎢1 − ⎥
⎢⎣ (a 2
+z )
2 1.5
⎥⎦

q⎡ 2(1 + ν )z z3 ⎤
σ r = ⎢1 + 2ν − + ⎥
2 ⎣⎢ a2 + z2
0.5
( a2 + z2 ) ( ) 1.5
⎦⎥

εz =
(1 + ν )q ⎡1 − 2ν +
2νz
−
z3 ⎤
⎢ ⎥
E ⎢⎣ (a 2
+ z2 )
0.5
(a 2
+ z2 ) 1.5
⎥⎦

εr =
(1 + ν )q ⎡1 − 2ν −
2(1 − ν )z
+
z3 ⎤
⎢ ⎥
2E ⎢⎣ (a 2
+ z2 )
0.5
(a 2
+ z2 ) 1.5
⎥⎦

w=
(1 + ν )qa ⎧⎪
E
⎨ 2
(
a
⎪⎩ a + z 2 ) 0.5
+
1 − 2ν
a
[(
a2 + z2 )
0.5
−z ]}

20
When ν = 0.5, the equation is simplified to

3qa 2
w=
(
2E a 2 + z 2 )
0.5

On the surface of the loaded half-space, z = 0, the deflection is

w0 =
(
2 1 − ν 2 qa )
E

If the load is applied on a rigid plate such as that used in a plate loading test, the deflection is
the same at all points on the plate, but the pressure distribution under the plate is not uniform
and is expressed as:

q(r ) =
qa
(
2 a2 − r2 ) 0.5

Figure 2-7: Differences between flexible and rigid plates

The smallest pressure is at the centre and equal to one-half of the average pressure. The
pressure at the edge is infinity. The deflection of the rigid plate is given by
π (1 − ν 2 )qa
w0 =
2E
All the above analyses are based on the assumption that the flexible pavement is homogenous,
isotropic and semi-infinite, and that elastic properties are identical in every direction
throughout the material.
With these assumptions, Bousinesq theory has the following drawbacks:

(1) Flexible pavements are multilayered structures each layer with its own modulus of
elasticity.

(2) The pavement layers and the subgrade soil are not perfectly elastic.

(3) The assumption that the load is uniformly distributed may not be true.

21
2.1.2. Stresses in Layered Systems

In actual case, flexible pavements are layered systems with better materials on top and cannot
be represented by a homogeneous mass. Various multilayer theories for estimating stresses
and deflections have been proposed. However, basic theories that utilize assumptions close to
actual conditions in a flexible pavement are those proposed by Burmister. Burmister first
developed solutions for a two-layer system and then extended them to a three-layer system
with the following basic assumptions:

1. Each layer is homogeneous, isotropic, and linearly elastic with an elastic

modulus E and a Poisson ratio, ν.

2. The material is weightless and infinite in the lateral direction, but of finite depth,
h, whereas the underlying layer is infinite in both the horizontal and vertical
directions.

3. A uniform pressure q is applied on the surface over a circular area of radius a.

4. The layers are in continuous contact and continuity conditions are satisfied at the
layer interfaces, as indicated by the same vertical stress, shear stress, vertical
displacement, and radial displacement.

2.1.2.1. Two-Layer Systems

The exact case of a two-layer system is the full-depth asphalt pavement construction in which
a thick layer of hot-mix asphalt is placed directly on the subgrade. If a pavement is composed
of three layers (e.g., surface course, base course, and subgrade) the stresses and strains in the
surface layer can be computed by combining the base course and the subgrade into a single
layer. Similarly, the stresses and strains in the subgrade can be computed by combining the
surface course and base course.

Vertical stress: The stresses in a two-layer system depends on the modulus ratio E1/E2, and
the thickness-radius ratio h1/a.
Figure 2-8a shows the effect of pavement layer on the distribution of vertical stresses under
the centre of a circular loaded area when the thickness h1 of layer 1 is equal to the radius of
contact area, or h1/a = 1 and a Poisson ratio of 0.5 for all layers.
Figure 2-8b also shows the effect of pavement thickness and modulus ratio on the vertical
stress, σc, at the pavement-subgrade interface.

22
 (a) (b)

Figure 2-8 (a) Vertical stress distribution in a two-layer system (Burmister, 1958) and (b)
effect of pavement thickness and modulus ratio on pavement–subgrade interface vertical
stresses (Haung, 1969)

Deflection: Surface and interface deflections have been used as criteria of pavement design.
The surface deflection, w0, under a uniformly circular loaded area is given in terms of the
deflection factor F2 as:
1.5qa
w0 = F2
E2
The deflection factor, F2, can be obtained from Figure 2-9 for the corresponding
E1/E2 and h1/a.

Figure 2-9: Vertical surface deflection for two-layer system (Burmister, 1943)

23
If the load is applied on a rigid plate, then

1.18qa
w0 = F2
E2
The interface deflection, w, between the two layers is expressed in terms of the deflection
factor F as:
qa
w= F
E2
The deflection factor, F, is different from F2 and provided in Figure 2-10 as a
function of E1/E2, h1/a, and r/a, where r is the radial distance from the centre of loaded area.

Figure 2-10: Vertical inteface deflection for two-layer systems (Haung, 1969)

24
 Figure 2-11: (Continued)

Critical tensile strain: The tensile strains at the bottom of the asphalt layer have been used as
a design criterion to prevent fatigue cracking. The critical tensile strain, e, at the bottom of the
first layer for a two-layer system can be determined by
q
e= Fe
E1

Figure 2-12: Strain factor for single wheel (Haung, 1973)

25
Where, Fe is the strain factor that can be obtained in Figure 2-12 as a
function of E1/E2, and h1/a. The critical tensile strain under dual wheels or dual-tandem
wheels is obtained from the same equation, but the strain factor needs to be corrected.

2.1.2.2. Three-Layer System

With quick computational facilities available, the analysis of three or more layers is no more a
difficult task. The three-layer system can be conceived as follows:
1. Top layer, representing all the bituminous layers taken together,
2. Second layer, representing the unbound base and subbase courses, and
3. Third layer, representing the subgrade.

Figure 2-13 shows a three-layer system and the stresses at the interfaces on the axis of
symmetry.

σz1 = vertical stress at interface 1

σz2 = vertical stress at interface 2
σr1 = radial stress at bottom of layer 1
σ’r1 = radial stress at top of layer 2
σr2 = radial stress at bottom of layer 2
σ‘r2 = radial stress at top of layer 3

Figure 2-13: Stresses at interfaces of a three-layer system under a uniform circular load

At the axis of symmetry, tangential and radial stresses are identical and the shear stress is
equal to 0.
Jones has developed a series of tables for determining the stresses in a three-layer system for
the following dimensionless parameters
:
E1 E2
k1 = k2 =
E2 E3

a h1
A= H=
h2 h2

26
Part of Jones’s tables is presented here as Table 2.3, from which four sets of stress factors,
ZZ1, ZZ2, ZZ1-RR1, and ZZ2-RR2, can be obtained. The product of these factors and the
contact pressure gives the stresses as:
σ z1 = q (ZZ 1)

σ z 2 = q(ZZ 2)

σ z1 − σ r1 = q(ZZ1 − RR1)

σ z 2 − σ r 2 = q(ZZ 2 − RR 2)
From the continuity of horizontal displacement at the interfaces, σ’r1 and σ’r2 can be
computed from
σ z1 − σ r 1
σ ' r 1 = σ z1 −
k1

σ z2 − σ r2
σ 'r 2 = σ z 2 −
k2
Once the stresses at the interfaces are calculated, strains can be computed from the equations
of strains.

27
Table 2-1: Stress factors for three-layer systems (Jones, 1962)

28
Table 2-1: (Continued)

29
2.2. Stresses in Rigid Pavements

Stresses in rigid pavements result from variety of sources, of which the applied vehicle loads,
changes in temperature of the slab, friction between the slab and the subgrade or base course
are the most important. These factors tend to result in deformations of the concrete slab,
which cause tensile, compression, and flexural stresses of varying magnitude.

2.2.1. Stresses Due to Vehicle Loading

Three methods can generally be used to determine the stresses and deflections in concrete
pavements due to vehicle loading:
1. Westergaard’s formulas
2. Influence charts
3. Finite element analysis

Here, Westergaard’s formulas derived to examine three critical conditions of loading: corner
loading, interior loading, and edge loading far from any corner are described.
Westergaard’s assumptions:
• The concrete slab acts as a homogenous isotropic, elastic solid in equilibrium.
• The reactions of the subgrade are vertical only and they are proportional to the
deflections of the slab.
• The thickness of the concrete slab is uniform.
• The load at the interior and the corner is distributed uniformly over a circular area of
contact and the circumference of the contact area at the corner is tangent to the edges
of the slab.
• The edge loading is distributed uniformly over a semi-circular area, the diameter of
the semi-circle being at the edge of the slab.

Corner Loading: when a circular load is applied near the corner of the concrete slab, the
stress, σc, and the deflection, Δc, at the corner are given by
3P ⎡ ⎛ a 2 ⎞ ⎤
0.6

σ c = 2 ⎢1 − ⎜⎜ ⎟ ⎥
h ⎢ ⎝ l ⎟⎠ ⎥
⎣ ⎦

P ⎡ ⎛ a 2 ⎞⎤
Δc = ⎢1.1 − 0.88 ⎜⎜ ⎟⎥
⎟
kl 2 ⎢⎣ ⎝ l ⎠⎥⎦

⎡ Eh 3 ⎤
in which P is the load, l is the radius of relative stiffness defined as l = ⎢
⎣12(1 − ν )k ⎦
2 ⎥ , k is the
modulus of the subgrade reaction, and a is the contact radius. The results obtained applying
the finite element method of analysis are:

30
 3P ⎡ ⎛ c ⎞ ⎤
0.72

σ c = 2 ⎢1 − ⎜ ⎟ ⎥
h ⎢⎣ ⎝ l ⎠ ⎥⎦

P ⎡ ⎛ c ⎞⎤
Δc = ⎢1.205 − 0.69 ⎜ l ⎟⎥
kl 2 ⎣ ⎝ ⎠⎦
where, c is the side length of the a square contact area, c = 1.772a

Modulus of subgrade reaction, k, is the constant that defines the subgrade in classical works
of rigid pavements as shown in Figure 2-14 and defined as:
p = kΔ
where, p is the reactive pressure, and Δ is the deflection of the slab. The value of k is
determined by means of the plate-loading tests.

(a) (b)

Figure 2-14: (a) Definition of subgrade reaction, k, (b) plot of plate loading test to determine
subgrade reaction
Interior Loading: The formula developed by Westergaard for the stress in the interior of a
slab under a circular loaded area of radius a is
3(1 + ν )P ⎛ l ⎞
σi = ⎜⎜ ln + 0.6159 ⎟⎟
2 πh 2 ⎝ b ⎠
in which l is the radius of relative stiffness and
b=a when a ≥ 1.724h

b = 1.6a 2 + h 2 − 0.675h when a < 1.724h

The deflection due to interior loading is

P ⎧⎪ 1 ⎛ a ⎞⎛ a ⎞ ⎫⎪
2

Δi = ⎨1 + ⎜⎜ ln − 0.673 ⎟⎟⎜ ⎟ ⎬
8 kl 2 ⎪⎩ 2π ⎝ 2l ⎠⎝ l ⎠ ⎪⎭
Edge Loading: The stresses and deflections due to edge loading as formulated by
Westergaard are:

31
For circular contact area

3(1 + ν )P ⎛ Eh 3 ⎞ 4v 1 − v 1.18(1 + 2v )a
σe = ⎜⎜ ln ⎟⎟ + 1.84 − + +
(3 + ν )πh 2 ⎝ 100ka
4
⎠ 3 2 l

2 + 1.2vP ⎡ (0.76 + 0.4v )a ⎤

Δe = ⎢1 − ⎥
E h3k ⎣ l ⎦
For semicircular contact area
3(1 + ν )P ⎛ Eh 3 ⎞ 4v (1 + 2v )a
σe = ⎜⎜ ln ⎟⎟ + 3.84 − +
(3 + ν )πh 2 ⎝ 100ka
4
⎠ 3 2l

2 + 1.2vP ⎡ (0.323 + 0.17v )a ⎤

Δe = ⎢1 − ⎥
E h3k ⎣ l ⎦
When a load is applied over a set of dual tyres, the equations can be used after converting the
contact area of the dual tyres into a radius, a, of equivalent circular contact area as:
1/ 2
0.8521Pd S d ⎛ p d ⎞
a= + ⎜ ⎟
qπ π ⎜⎝ 0.5227 q ⎟⎠
where, Pd is the load on dual tyres, q is the contact pressure, Sd is the spacing of the tyres.
2.2.2. Stresses Due to Curling
Changes in temperature through the slab cause differential expansion or contraction between
the top and bottom which results curling of the slab upward or downward. The weight of the
slab restrains the slab from curling upward or downward. Consequently, stresses known as
curling or warping stresses develop in the slap. During the day when the temperature on the
top of the slab is greater than that of the bottom, the top tends to expand with respect to the
neutral axis while the bottom tends to contract. Because the weight of the slab restrains the
downward curling, compressive stresses are induced at the top while tensile stresses occur at
the bottom. At night, when the temperature on the top of the slab is lower than that at the
bottom, the effect is the reverse.

The strain in the x-direction in the infinite slab curled upward as shown in
Figure 2-15 due to the stresses in the two directions can be determined by the generalized
Hook’s law as:

32
 Figure 2-15: Upward curling of elastic slab due to temperature

σx σy
εx = −ν
E E
σx
where, is the strain in x-direction due to σ x , the stress in the x-direction, and
E
σy
ν is the strain in x-direction due to σ y , the stress in the y-direction.
E

and,
σy σx
εy = −ν
E E
When the slab is bent in the in the x-direction, εy = 0, and σ y = ν σ x . Substituting this and
solving for σ x , gives:

Eε x
σx = (the stress in the bending direction), and
1 −ν 2

σ y = νσ x (the stress in the perpendicular direction to bending).

When bending occurs in both directions as in the case of temperature curling, the stresses in
both directions must be superimposed.

Let Δt represents the temperature differential between top and bottom of the slab, and αt
represents the coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete. If the temperature at top is greater
than at the bottom and the slab is completely restrained and prevented from moving, the strain
developed at the top will be compressive and at the bottom tensile as shown in
Figure 2-16 assuming the distribution of temperature is linear through out the slab depth.

Figure 2-16: Strain due to gradient in temperature

αt Δt
εx = εy =
2
The stress in x-direction due to bending in the in x-direction is

33
 Eα t Δ t
σx =
(
2 1 −ν 2 )
and the stress in the x-direction due to bending in y-direction is

νEα t Δ t
σx =
2(1 − ν 2 )
The total stress in the x-direction is then,
Eα t Δ t νEα t Δ t
σx = +
2(1 − ν ) 2(1 − ν 2 )
2

Eα t Δ t
σx =
2(1 − ν )
For a finite slab with length Lx and Ly in the x- and y-directions respectively, the total stress in
the x-direction can be expressed as:
C x Eα t Δ t C yνEα t Δ t
σx = +
2(1 − ν 2 ) 2(1 − ν 2 )

Eα t Δ t
σ x = (C x + C yν )
2(1 − ν 2 )
where Cx and Cy are correction factors for a finite slab in the x- and y-directions respectively.
Similarly, the stress in the y-direction is
Eα t Δ t
σ y = (C y + C xν )
(
2 1 −ν 2 )
Based on Westergaard’s analysis, Bradbury developed a simple chart shown as
Figure 2-17 here for determining the correction factors depending on Lx/l and Ly/l in the
respective directions. In the above equations, σ x and σ y are the maximum interior stresses at
the centre of the slab. The edge stress at the midspan of the slab can be determined by
CEα t Δ t
σ =
2
in which σ may be σ x or σ y depending on whether C is Cx or Cy.

Unless actual field measurements are made, it is reasonable to assume a maximum

temperature gradient of 0.055 to 0.0770C/mm during the day and about half of these values at
night. Stresses due to curling may be quite large and cause concrete to crack when combined
with loading stresses, but they are usually not considered in the thickness design of slabs.

34
 Figure 2-17: Bradbury stress correction factor for finite slab
2.2.3. Stresses Due to Friction
The friction between a concrete slab and its foundation causes tensile stresses in the concrete,
in the steel reinforcements, if any, and in the tie bars. It is the criteria for
• The spacing of plain concrete contraction joints
• Steel reinforcements for longer spaced concrete pavements
• The number of tie bars required as shown in Figure 2-18

Figure 2-18: Steel and joints in rigid pavements

The volume change caused by the variation of temperature and moisture:

• Induces tensile stresses and causes the concrete to crack
• Causes the joint to open and decreases the efficiency of load transfer
Figure 2-19 shows a concrete pavement subject to a decrease in
temperature. Due to symmetry, the slab tends to move from both ends toward the centre, but
the subgrade prevents it from moving; thus, frictional stresses are developed between the slab
and the subgrade. The amount of friction depends on the relative movement, being zero at the
centre where no movement occurs and maximum at some distance from the centre where the
movement is fully mobilized, as shown in Figure 2-19b. The
tensile stress in the concrete is greatest at the centre and can be determined by equating the
frictional force per unit width of slab, to the tensile force as shown in
Figure 2-19a.

35
 Figure 2-19: Stresses due to friction

γ c hLf
= σ ch
2

γ c Lf
σc =
2

in which σ c is the stress in the concrete, γ c is the unit weight of the concrete, L is the length
of the slab, and f is the average coefficient of friction between slab and subgrade, usually
taken as 1.5.

The spacing of joints in plain concrete pavements depends more on the shrinkage
characteristics of the concrete rather than on the stress in the concrete. Longer joint spacing
causes the joint to open wider and decrease the efficiency of load transfer. The opening of a
joint can be computed approximately by
ΔL = CL (αtΔT +ε)

where, ΔL = joint opening caused by temperature change and drying shrinkage of concrete;
αt = coefficient of thermal expansion of concrete, generally 9 to 10.8 x 10-6/0C);
ε = drying shrinkage coefficient of concrete, approximately 0.5 to 2.5 x 10-4;
L = joint spacing or slab length;
ΔT = change in temperature;
C = adjustment factor for friction layers, 0.65 for stabilised and 0.8 for granular base.

The design of longitudinal and transverse reinforcements and the tie bars across longitudinal
joints is determined based on the stresses due to friction assuming that all tensile stresses are
taken by the steel alone. Wire fabric or bar mats are used to increase the joint spacing and to

36
tie the cracked concrete together and maintain load transfers through aggregate interlock, but
not to increase the structural capacity of the slab.
σ c h = As f s

γ c hLf
As =
2 fs

in which As is the area of steel required per unit width and fs is the allowable stress in steel.
The steel is usually placed at the middepth of the slab and discontinued at the joint. However,
in actual practice the same amount of steel is used throughout the length of the slab.

Tie bars are placed along the longitudinal joint to tie the two slabs together so that the joint
will be tightly closed and the load transfer across the joint can be ensured. The amount of
steel required for tie bars can be determined in the same way as the longitudinal or transverse
reinforcements as:
γ c hL' f
As =
2 fs

in which As is the area of steel required per unit length of slab and L' is the distance from the
longitudinal joint to the free edge where no tie bars exist. For two- or three-lane highways, L'
is the lane width. If tie bars are used in all three longitudinal joints of a four-lane highway, L'
is equal to the lane width for the two outer joints and twice the lane width for the inner joint.
The length of tie bars is governed by the allowable bond stress.

37