Preventing Buckling in Concrete Highways: Expansion Cracks Calculation

Calculation of Minimum Gap Width

Length of the concrete highway, l = 12 m

Coefficient of thermal expansion, α = 12 x 10^-6 °C^-1

Range of temperature variation, ΔT = 80°C

Now, let's calculate the thermal expansion:

Δl = l x α x ΔT

Δl = 12 x (12 x 10^-6) x 80

Δl = 1.152 x 10^-2 m

Since each slab of the highway expands by the above length, the minimum gap between the slabs to prevent buckling:

Δx = 2 x Δl

Δx = 2 x (1.152 x 10^-2)

Δx = 2.304 x 10^-2 m = 2.304 cm

Therefore, the minimum gap width between slabs in a concrete highway should be 2.304 cm to prevent buckling.