IRC:SP:83-2008

CROSS-SECTION
DEBONDING/SEPARATION MEMBRANE

LONGITIDINAL JOINT

/ Z PQC

SUB-BASE (PLC)
DRAINAGE LAWYER
Camber not Shown

SUB-GRADE

EMBANKMENT

Dowel bars across transverse Joints not shown for clarity

Fig. 1.4. Rigid Pavement Typical Cross-section

1.5. The concrete pavement slab expands with the rise in temperature
and contracts
with fall in temperature. Concrete shrinks as it cures. Concrete slabs accordingly curl and warp
due to the temperature and moisture gradients. This expansion and contraction is resisted by the
mass of the concrete slab. The natural responses due to the above, causes concrete pavement to
crack at fairly regular intervals. Keeping this in mind, contraction joints are provided at designed/
designated intervals to take care of the expected cracking. Contraction joints are thus provided to
ensure that cracking in concrete slabs do not take place at other locations except at the contraction
joint locations. It is presumed that if contraction joints are properly located, designed and
constructed, cracks at other locations will nomially not take place. However, uncontrolled (random)
cracks in the concrete pavement do take place at undesignated locations due to various factors
including deficiencies like inappropriate selection of materials, lack of timely and adequate curing,
too delayed/too early sawing of the joints, construction deficiencies etc. Faulting, Scaling, Loss of
texture etc. are other types of distresses which are normally encountered in concrete pavements.
These distresses are mainly due to improper flinctioning ofjoints, settlement of sub-grade, loosening
of tie bars and improper construction workmanship.

1.6. Cracks are not uncommon to concrete construction and, therefore, minor shallow
cracks need not be viewed as a serious problem. Many cracks can be restored easily to a condition
that will serve for the design life of the pavement, hi some cases, no repair may be required, while
in otherssome preventive repairs like reseating, retexturing will be sufficient. Only deep structural
cracks are a matter of serious concern for which repair methods are available. These guidelines
apart from suggesting various repair techniques are also aimed to offset the impression that the
repairs of the concrete pavements are something impossible and therefore, their construction should
be avoided.