Dynamic Analysis of Rigid Airport Pavements with Discontinuities

Abstract

A finite element procedure for the dynamic analysis of rigid airport pavements with discontinuities is presented. The analysis procedure considers the dynamic interaction between aircraft and a rigid pavement. The rigid pavement is modeled as a series of discontinuous, thin‐plate finite elements resting on a viscoelastic foundation. At the discontinuities, the load transfer devices are modeled as vertical springs, the stiffness of which depends on the dowel properties and the dowel‐concrete interaction. The viscoelastic foundation is modeled by distributed springs and dashpots. The moving aircraft loads are represented by masses supported by linear spring and dashpot systems, which have specified horizontal velocities and accelerations. Numerical results obtained from the analytical formulation presented are compared with available analytical solutions and experimental data. A parametric study is conducted to determine the effects of the various parameters on the dynamic response of jointed rigid pavements to moving loads.