Evaluation of Performance and Structural Design Methods of Cement Concrete Pavements in Japan

This paper examines cement concrete pavements built on japanese national highways since 1971. An investigation of pavement cracks supports the validity of the current structural design methods. The results of the analysis of the relationship between slab thickness, cracking and cumulative heavy traffic volume show that commonly used jointed reinforced concrete pavements (JRCP) with wire mesh are overall in an excellent condition and that asphalt intermediate courses significantly increase the pavement durability. The concept of pavement failure probability which was used in the analysis could also be usefully employed to review the standardized slab thickness in relation to traffic volume.