A New Design Method of Concrete Pavements

In this paper a new design method of plain concrete pavements without bond to the subgrade is presented. For the first time, stresses resulting from environmental conditions will be considered in a realistic way in addition to stresses due to live loads. The basis of this new design method is formed by an analytical numerical model, which was developed using the FE-programme DIANA and verified using results of experimental investigations. Hereby, the nonlinear behaviour of concrete was considered. The new design method takes into account significant technological and manufacturing boundary conditions for concrete.