Cracked Pavement Slabs With Nonuniform Support

The analysis of plates and pavement slabs is examined and a method is presented which is not limited by the simplifying assumptions needed for closed-form solutions. The technique is based on a physical model of the problem which is described mathematically. The principal features are (1) representation of the plate or slab by a finite-element model of beam-column elements with freely discontinuous stiffness and load; (2) a rapid, direct solution of individual beams using recursive techniques; (3) an alternating-direction iteration method for combining the solution of the individual beams into a coordinated slab solution. All properties and loads can be freely variable from point to point. Concentrated or distributed loads can be handled including transverse loads, in-plane forces and external couples. Elastic restraints are provided by vertical support springs. A computer program which solves the equations implicitly for the deflection patterns has been developed. The method has application to a broad variety of complex plate and slab problems which cannot be solved by any other existing methods. Applications to complex pavement design problems are of particular interest.