Establishing Effects of Superloads on Doweled Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements

Superloads are typically defined as vehicles weighing greater than 890 kilonewtons (200,000 pounds), although the geometrics of the vehicle are also a consideration. The damage of these superloads on jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) as compared to a standard 80-kN (18-kip) single axle design load are not well defined. The purpose of this study is to identify the effects of these superloads on the performance of JPCP joints in comparison to that of standard traffic loads. One mechanism of failure at the transverse joints in JPCP is the degradation of dowel performance. This can decrease the effectiveness of the joint load transfer efficiency; thereby resulting in large differential deflections and the development of faulting. Therefore, to quantify the damage caused by superloads, typical load configurations were identified using superload permit data obtained from the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation. Using the typical superload profiles established from permit data, the effect on dowel performance is evaluated.