New structural systems for zero-maintenance pavements. Volume 1: Analytical and experimental studies of an anchored pavement. A candidate zero-maintenance pavement

The design feasibility and construction cost effectiveness of an anchored pavement concept for zero maintenance highways are investigated. An analytical model is designed to verify computer program results and to investigate construction methods for a full-scale highway section. A conventional slab and an anchored pavement in both continuous and jointed configurations were subjected to heat transfer, thermal stress, and mechanical stress analyses. The anchored pavement offers two distinct advantages over a conventional pavement. Deflections are lower and more uniform; and stresses in the soil are lower and distributed more widely by the rigid anchors. Three dimensional finite element analysis is considered to be the most efficient technique for examining the significance of environmentally induced stress.