Finite element simulation of shear stud jointed plain concrete pavement utilizing UHPC link slabs

Ultra-high-performance concrete (UHPC) link slab joint was proposed as an alternative to traditional dowelled joints in jointed plain concrete pavements (JPCP) and proved more efficient. This study aims at introducing numerical modeling of the proposed UHPC link slab joints. Then the numerical model was further utilized to develop the optimum geometry design details of UHPC link slab joints used in rigid pavements through parametric analyses on the factors that affect joint behavior such as length, thickness and joint width. The numerical models perfectly simulated the experimental results using twelve different experimental tests in terms of load–deflection relationship. Also, the load transfer efficiency (LTE) results exhibited acceptable similarity to the experimental results with an average accuracy degree of 87%. The numerical model accurately replicated the failure mode. The correlation between the stress distribution and the failure pattern of the specimens was obvious. All numerical models showed that the UHPC link slab reached its tensile strength at the bottom face under the loaded plate, and then a flexural crack started to propagate upward in the same location as in the experimental specimens. Furthermore, the numerical model showed the stress demand (both horizontal and vertical) at failure on shear studs for all specimens for loaded and unloaded sides is far below stud yield strength where the worst scenario for the developed vertical stress was 87.5 MPa for specimens with thicker link slab and wider joint which means that the joint is primarily controlled by the link slab properties. From the parametric study, the optimum length and thickness of UHPC link slab for a 10 mm and 20 mm joint width are (100 mm and 50 mm) and (100 mm and 70 mm), respectively.