Effect of Temperature Variation on Rigid Pavement Dowel

Document Type : Regular Paper

Authors

1 Lecturer, Department of Civil Engineering and Planning, Vocational College, Universitas Diponegoro, Jl. Prof. Soedarto No.13, Tembalang, Semarang, Jawa Tengah 50275, Indonesia

2 Lecturer, Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Engineering Faculty, Universitas Gadjah Mada, Jl. Grafika No. 2 Yogyakarta, Indonesia

Abstract

Given its location along the equator, Indonesia has a tropical climate with two rainy and dry seasons. The significant variations in temperature that each season brings about are important factors when building civil engineering projects, including rigid pavements, to ensure their long-term performance and durability. Currently, rigid pavement design regulations exclude considering the influence of temperature variations. The dowels enormously affect how the rigid pavement system works overall, and joints typically represent the weakest sections in the structure. This study investigates the effects of temperature variations on the stress-strain characteristics of rigid pavements, focusing mainly on dowel behavior. The investigation was conducted through simulation modeling in Abaqus software, incorporating solid 3D elements—specifically hexahedral and tetrahedral types—with materials modeled as homogeneous, isotropic, and linear-elastic. The results indicate that heat conduction in rigid concrete slabs follows a linear pattern, generating tensile stress on the dowels (Sxx=1.719 MPa) and maximum shear stress (Sxy=1.754 MPa), both of which remain below the material’s yield stress. The displacement of the dowels varies depending on whether the dowels are fixed or free. Fixed dowels move with the concrete slabs, resulting in lower displacement than free dowels. Thermal loads applied to the upper surface of the rigid pavement led to increased stress and displacement as the temperature rises.

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Articles in Press, Accepted Manuscript
Available Online from 09 March 2025
  • Receive Date: 31 October 2024
  • Revise Date: 21 January 2025
  • Accept Date: 09 March 2025