Finite-Element Simulation of Instrumented Asphalt Pavement Response under Moving Vehicular Load

Abstract

Understanding the structural behavior of layered asphalt pavements subjected to dynamic moving wheel loads is a crucial requirement for the future design of more-durable pavement structures. Therefore, to accurately evaluate the dynamic response of an instrumented semi-rigid base asphalt pavement under full-scale moving heavy vehicular loading, this study established a full-scale three-dimensional viscoelastic finite element model. Sinotruck HOWO A7 6×4 dump truck moving wheel loads and associated contact stresses effect on the pavement structure were implemented in the implicit dynamic analysis. The dynamic properties of the asphalt concrete were incorporated in Abaqus through a Prony–Dirichlet series. The rationality and validity of the developed model were successfully verified by field data collected from a Rizhan–LanKao highway pavement test section in Shandong province, China. The pavement dynamic response computed at different depths under the truck dual tires and at a different lateral position in the mid-depth of asphalt concrete middle course were analyzed. Results indicated that both tensile and compressive three-directional dynamic strain, stress coexist in the pavement structure. In addition, an alternating change was found between negative and positive dynamic shear stress and strain in the structure. Finally, this study revealed that the peak value of the dynamic strain–stress in vertical, transverse, and longitudinal directions, as well as the shearing strain–stress response of the pavement structure, are affected not only by the lateral distribution of the analysis points but also according to depth.