Thermal Expansion Dynamics in Concrete Pavements
Summary
Concrete pavements experience daily and seasonal temperature fluctuations that induce volumetric changes within the material. The coefficient of thermal expansion (CTE) quantifies these changes, reflecting the intrinsic response of cement paste, aggregates and the interfacial transition zone (ITZ) to thermal loading. Variations in aggregate mineralogy, internal humidity and microstructural composition affect the CTE, generating internal stresses that drive thermal cracking, slab curling and joint movement. At early ages, rapid hydration and exothermic reactions further complicate the thermal regime, increasing the risk of restraint cracking and long-term durability loss. Engineering strategies such as the use of supplementary cementitious materials, tailored aggregate gradations and controlled curing mitigate thermal deformation by reducing differential expansion and enhancing stress relaxation. Advanced modelling approaches—spanning from continuum micromechanics to fibre optic sensing—have improved predictive capabilities, enabling a more nuanced design of joint spacing, slab thickness and reinforcement to accommodate dynamic thermal loads in diverse climates.
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Thermal Expansion Dynamics in Concrete Pavements publication trend
The graph below shows the total number of articles in thermal expansion dynamics in concrete pavements across all publications each year (not limited to Nature Index journals).
Technical terms
Coefficient of Thermal Expansion (CTE): A material constant expressing the change in length or volume per unit temperature change.
Interfacial Transition Zone (ITZ): The thin region surrounding aggregate particles where cement paste microstructure differs from the bulk matrix, affecting stress concentration and crack propagation.
Fibre Bragg Grating: A type of optical sensor inscribed in a fibre that measures strain and temperature by reflecting specific wavelengths.
Multiscale Homogenization: A computational technique that derives macroscopic material properties by averaging responses across multiple hierarchical structural levels.
References
- Study on Temperature Response of Rubberized Concrete Pavement Based on Fiber Bragg Grating Testing Technology. Sensors (2024).
- Multiscale Thermoelastic Analysis of the Thermal Expansion Coefficient and of Microscopic Thermal Stresses of Mature Concrete. Materials (2019).
- Behavior of Airport Concrete Pavement Slabs Exposed to Environmental Loadings. Applied Sciences (2020).
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