CURLING DEFORMATIONS AND STRESSES OF INSULATED RIGID PAVEMENTS.

To study the effect of a thin insulating layer on the curling deformation and thermal properties of rigid pavements two concrete slabs were cast in the field. One slab was laid over a thick layer of styrofoam, while the second slab was cast over a 4 cm thick layer of sand without insulation. A 25 cm subbase layer of compacted gravel was used underneath both slabs. Both slabs were instrumented from the surface through foundation to determine the temperature distribution and to establish the curling behavior of the slabs.