Application of semi-analytical finite element method to analyze the bearing capacity of asphalt pavements under moving loads

Abstract

To facilitate long term infrastructure asset management systems, it is necessary to determine the bearing capacity of pavements. Currently it is common to conduct such measurements in a stationary manner, however the evaluation with stationary loading does not correspond to reality a tendency towards continuous and high speed measurements in recent years can be observed. The computational program SAFEM was developed with the objective of evaluating the dynamic response of asphalt under moving loads and is based on a semi-analytic element method. In this research project SAFEM is compared to commercial finite element software ABAQUS and field measurements to verify the computational accuracy. The computational accuracy of SAFEM was found to be high enough to be viable whilst boasting a computational time far shorter than ABAQUS. Thus, SAFEM appears to be a feasible approach to determine the dynamic response of pavements under dynamic loads and is a useful tool for infrastructure administrations to analyze the pavement bearing capacity.

Keywords

semi-analytical finite element method / bearing capacity / asphalt pavements / moving loads / dynamic response

References

[1] Hou Y, Wang L, Yue P, Pauli T, Sun W. Modeling Mode I Cracking Failure in Asphalt Binder by Using Nonconserved Phase-Field Model. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2014, 26(4): 684–691

[2] Hou Y, Wang L, Pauli T, Sun W. Investigation of the Asphalt Self-healing Mechanism Using a Phase-Field Model. Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering, 2015, 27(3): 04014118

[3] Ferne B W, Langdale P, Roundm N, Faircloughm R. Development of a Calibration Procedure for the U.K. Highways Agency Traffic-Speed Deflectometer. Transportation Research Record, 2009a, 2093(1): 111–117

[4] Ferne B W, Langdale P, Roundm N, Faircloughm R. Development of the UK Highways Agency Traffic Speed Deflectometer. Bearing Capacity of Roads, Railways and Airfields, London, Champaign, IL: Taylor & Francis Group, 2009b, 409–418.

[5] Muller W B, Roberts J. Revised Approach to Assessing Traffic Speed Deflectometer Data and Field Validation of Deflection Bowl Predictions. International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 2013, 14(4): 388–402

[6] Baltzer S, Pratt D, Weligamage J, Adamsen J, Hildebrand G. Continuous Bearing Capacity Profile of 18,000 km Australian Road Network in 5 Months. In: the 24th ARRB Conference Proceedings, Melbourne, Australia, 2010

[7] Goktepe A B, Agar E, Lav A H. Advances in Backcalculating the Mechanical Properties of Flexible Pavements. Advances in Engineering Software, 2006, 37(7): 421–431

[8] Fritz J J. Flexible Pavement Response Evaluation Using the Semi-Analytical Finite Element Method. International Journal of Materials and Pavement Design, 2002, 3(2): 211–225

[9] Hu S, Hu X, Zhou F. Using Semi-Analytical Finite Element Method to Evaluate Stress Intensity Factors in Pavement Structure. Rilem International Conference on Cracking in Pavements, 2008

[10] Zienkiewicz O C, Taylor R L. The finite element method for solid and structural mechanics. 6th edition, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2005

[11] Liu P, Wang D, Oeser M, Chen X. Einsatz der Semi-Analytischen Finite-Elemente-Methode zur Beanspruchungszustände von Asphaltbefestigungen. Bauingenieur, 2014, 89(7/8): 333–339 (in German)

[12] Liu P, Wang D, Oeser M. The Application of Semi-Analytical Finite Element Method Coupled with Infinite Element for Analysis of Asphalt Pavement Structural Response. Journal of Traffic and Transportation Engineering, 2015, 2(1): 48–58

[13] Liu P, Wang D, Oeser M. Leistungsfähige semi-analytische Methoden zur Berechnung von Asphaltbefestigungen. Tangungsband, 3.Dresdner Asphalttage, 2013 (in German)

[14] Kim J R, Kim W D, Kim S J. Parallel Computing Using Semianalytical Finite Element Method. AIAA Journal, 1994, 32(5): 1066–1071

[15] Zienkiewicz O C, Taylor R L. The Finite Element Method, Volume 1 The Basis. 5th edition, Elsevier Butterworth-Heinemann, Oxford, 2000

[16] ABAQUS. ABAQUS analysis user’s manual. Dassault Systemes Simulia Corp., 2011

[17] Gohl S. Vergleich der gemessenen mechanischen Beanspruchungen der Modellstraße der BASt mit den Berechnungsergebnissen ausgewählter Programme. TU Dresden, Professur für Straßenbau, Diplomarbeit, 2006 (In German).

[18] Rabe R. Bau einer instrumentierten Modellstraße in Asphaltbauweise zur messtechnischen Erfassung der Beanspruchungssituation im Straßenaufbau. AP 03 342, interner Bericht, Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Bergisch Gladbach, 2004 (In German)

[19] Rabe R. Messtechnische Erfassung der Beanspruchungen im Straßenaufbau infolge LKW-Überfahrten über eine Modellstraße in Asphaltbauweise‘, AP 04 342, interner Bericht, Bundesanstalt für Straßenwesen, Bergisch Gladbach, 2007 (In German)

[20] Rabe R. Angaben zum Aufbau der Modellstraße und Angabe von ausgewählten Ergebnissen und Materialkennwerten. Bergisch Gladbach, 2014 (In German)

Acknowledgements

This paper is based on parts of the research projects carried out at the request of the Federal Ministry of Transport and Digital Infrastructure, requested by the Federal Highway Research Institute, under research projects No. 04.0259/2012/NGB and FE 88.0137/FE88.0138, as well as parts of the research project carried out at the request of the German Research Foundation, under research projects No. FOR 2089. The authors are solely responsible for the content.

RIGHTS & PERMISSIONS

2017 Higher Education Press and Springer-Verlag Berlin Heidelberg