Properties |
Flexible |
Rigid |
Design Principle |
Empirical method
based on load distribution characteristics of the components |
Designed and analyzed by using the elastic theory |
Material |
Granular material | Made of cement concrete either plain, reinforced or prestressed concrete |
Flexural strength |
Low or negligible flexible strength | Associated with rigidity or flexural strength or slab action so the load is distributed over a wide area of subgrade soil |
Normal Loading |
Elastic deformation | Acts as beam or cantilever |
Excessive Loading |
Local depression | Cause cracks |
Stress |
Transmits vertical and compressive stresses to the lower layers | Tensile stress and temperature increases |
Design Practice |
Constructed in number of layers | Laid in slabs with steel reinforcement |
Temperature |
No stress is produced | Stress is produced |
Force of Friction |
Less. Deformation in the sub grade is not transferred to the upper layers. | Friction force is high |
Opening to Traffic |
Road can be used for traffic within 24 hours | Road cannot be used until 14 days of curing |
Surfacing |
Rolling of the surfacing is needed | Rolling of the surfacing is not needed. |
