Continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) has been constructed on major highways in several countries since the 1940s. A large majority of these pavements have carried very heavy truck traffic but required low maintenance. Some have experienced problems due to inadequate design, support, and construction. This paper focuses on factors that have the greatest effect on producing a long life CRCP under heavy traffic. These factors were identified through use of a new comprehensive mechanistic based design and analysis procedure (NCHRP 1-37A) and actual field performance of CRCP. Factors include slab thickness, concrete strength and modulus, concrete thermal coefficient of expansion, reinforcement content and depth, erosion of base course, built-in temperature gradient, concrete temperature during construction, placement of reinforcement, and contact friction between CRCP and base. Current information on CRCP design and performance is provided which is of interest to highway engineers and decision makers who are interested in improving their existing designs and/or considering CRCP for future projects.
