Uncracked joints in plain concrete pavements: causes, effects and possibilities of improvements

AbstractDuring the construction of Jointed Plain Concrete Pavements (JPCPs) in Chile, it was observed that joints remained uncracked. The objectives of this paper are to evaluate the effects of uncracked joints (UnCrJ) in JPCPs and to propose possible solutions or improvements to avoid or minimize this phenomenon. Considering low thermal amplitude as cause of UnCrJ, a rational-based, detailed and empirically validated model is used to predict UnCrJ and crack width. The modelled results are not only due to material changes but also to the location of the series of cracks in time in the JPCP sys...