The significance of concrete slab flexural strength inference variation based on its compression strength characteristics in apron pavement analysis and design

Rigid pavement of apron in the airport is a complex structure which is designed based on the sense of balance of sub-grade strength, pavement aggregates, applied load characteristics, and climate. Various sub-grade condition and concrete slab flexural strength values results on the pavement design thickness that have a direct impact on the cost construction. In this study, the rigid pavement design of an apron with various sub-grade condition and concrete flexural strength values are presented. As a reference, the Federal Aviation and Administration (FAA) method is used. Dynamic Cone Penetration (DCP) test value is used to estimate California Bearing Ratio (CBR) values to determine the sub-grade reaction modulus (k). The flexural strength of concrete slab analyzed by several empirical models with constant values range of 0.72-0.9. The pavement structure analysis conducted by FAARFIELD. The CBR values from DCP’s test vary between 6-10% which equal to k values between 31.4-46.8 MN/m 3 . Concrete slab flexural strength of 4.6 MPa results on the concrete slab thickness of 550-510 mm. Based on k value of 46.8 MN/m 3 and K400 concrete strength, the calculated flexural strength varies between 4.15-5.17 MPa and the concrete slab thickness is 570-540 cm. The inference variation of flexural strength based on the same value of concrete compression strength characteristics will produce different concrete slab thickness. The concrete slab thickness tends to increase with the smaller values of inference of flexural strength.