Temperature Gradient of Concrete Pavement Slab Overlaid with Asphalt Surface Course

In the structural design of composite pavement with a concrete pavement slab overlaid with an asphalt surface course, it is very important to estimate the temperature gradient in the concrete slab. An asphalt surface course reduces the temperature gradient in an underlaid concrete slab, resulting in the reduction of thermal stress of the concrete slab. This effect was investigated by temperature measurement in model pavements and by thermal conductivity analysis. Thermal properties were estimated by a backanalysis by using measured temperatures over 1 year. From the numerical simulations varying the thickness of asphalt surface and concrete slab, the relationship between the reduction effect and the asphalt thickness was derived as a function of the thickness of asphalt surface course, which can be used in the structural design of the composite pavement.