Response of Continuous Pavements to Moving Dynamic Loads

Abstract

A linear theory that may be used to predict the primary responses (stress, strain displacement) of continuous pavements to moving dynamic loads is presented. The theory is derived from the well‐known convolution integral and its formulations in moving and stationary frames of reference are derived. A detailed solution, in the frequency/wave‐number domain, is given for a quarter‐car vehicle‐model driving up a step on an elastic beam resting on a damped elastic foundation. The effects of speed and frequency on predicted stresses and displacements are observed to be consistent with those measured by other writers. The convolution's practical implementation is explained. The results of validation experiments, involving impulse response measurements to check the assumptions of the theory, and an instrumented vehicle driving over an instrumented test track, are described. The results demonstrate that the theory can be used to predict accurately the strains generated in a road as a vehicle drives over, including the effects of vehicle speed and dynamic tire forces.