Jointed Plain Concrete Pavement

Internal curing in jointed plain concrete pavements appears to have positive effects on issues known to influence structural longevity and durability. Small reductions in unit weight, elastic modulus, and coefficient of expansion together with a small increase in strength promote improved structural integrity. The combined effect of these small improvements results in a significant positive impact on slab fatigue damage and associated slab cracking in jointed concrete pavements. The extended moisture supply provided by internal curing improves concrete pavement durability by reducing net moisture loss and improving hydration.

Internal curing reduces early age shrinkage and associated plastic shrinkage cracking, as evidenced in both laboratory and field monitoring of concrete placements.

Another potential benefit to jointed pavements is a reduction in upward slab curling resulting from internal slab moisture gradients and stresses locked in at the time of set resulting from temperature gradients during curing. Stresses resulting from curling, when combined with load-induced stresses, can accelerate damage to pavement slabs. This reduction in curling stresses can improve pavement performance by reducing the total stress level, thereby limiting damage to pavement slabs (Figure 2).