Pavement Pressure Generation: Neglected Aspect of Jointed Pavement Behavior

A number of recent rigid pavement research reports and papers and new pavement research projects either ignore effects of contraction joint behavior on the generation of pavement pressure or recommend the retention of high pavement pressures to protect contraction joints. In either case, research methods appear to be inappropriate, and conclusions suspect or counterproductive. It also appears that some researchers have completely lost sight of one of the primary reasons for sealing and resealing contraction joints in the first place. In addition, these reports either ignore entirely or significantly underestimate the effects that generating pavement pressure can have on the integrity of bridges that abut such pavements. Consequently, pavement maintenance engineers who uncritically implement the recommendations given in some of these reports and papers may, during the extreme heat of some distant summer, find themselves dismayed by structures (pavements and bridges) subject to destructive pressures and stresses, widespread structural damage, massive repair costs, restrictive traffic flow at structure repair sites, vehicular accidents, and the personal injuries that usually accompany such restrictions. Based on a brief introductory description of the pavement pressure generation phenomenon, a critique of some of the statements and recommendations given in these reports is provided. Recommendations for basic replicable research to clarify this phenomenon, and for subsequently qualifying future pavement joint research with respect to the effect of design, maintenance, and environmental factors on pavement pressure levels, are also provided. Ultimately, such pressure-generation-focused research will give less subjective and more reliable direction for achieving cost-effective structural designs, more durable structures, more effective maintenance practices, and a safer, more dependable highway environment.