Question

How can it would be able for unreinforced concrete pavement function without mesh reinforcement?

Answer

Concrete carriageway, it is usually classified into two types- reinforced and unreinforced concrete pavement. Reinforcement in reinforced carriageway is used for controlling cracking. Then one might query how unreinforced pavement can manage cracking without use of mesh reinforcement. To answer this question, one has to pay attention to features of unreinforced concrete pavement. In agreement with Highways Standard Drawing No. H1109, an approximately 3mm wide groove with a depth of about one-third to one-fourth of slab thickness is designed with a regular spacing. Grooves are designed to be very narrow for stones to fall into when cracks are open due to concrete contraction. Sectional area in which groove is located is a plane of weakness and thus this groove acts a potential crack-inducing device in that any potential cracks due to shrinkage and thermal contraction might form. As a result, cracks are formed at base of groove and thus it would not cause any unpleasant visual appearance on exposed surface of unreinforced concrete pavement.