• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.8 no.2 s.28
• /
• pp.37-47
• /
• 2006

The structural response and performance of a flexible pavement can be improved through the use of geogrids as base course reinforcement. Current ongoing research at the University of illinois has focused on the development of a geogrid base reinforcement mechanistic model for the analysis of reinforced pavements. This model is based on the finite element methodology and considers not only the nonlinear stress-dependent pavement foundation but also the isotropic and anisotropic behavior of base/subbase aggregates for predicting pavement critical responses. An axisymmetric finite element model was developed to employ a three-noded axisymmetric membrane element for modeling geogrid reinforcement. The soil/aggregate-geogrid interface was modeled by the three-noded membrane element and the neighboring six-noded no thickness interface elements. To validate the developed mechanistic model, the commercial finite element program $ABAQUS^{TM}$ was used to generate pavement responses as analysis results for simple cases with similar linear elastic material input properties. More sophisticated cases were then analyzed using the mechanistic model considering the nonlinear and anisotropic modulus property inputs in the base/subbase granular layers. This paper will describe the details of the developed mechanistic model and the effectiveness of geogrid reinforcement when used in different quality unbound aggregate base/subbase layers.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.165-175
• /
• 2009

With the current move towards adopting mechanistic-empirical concepts in the design of pavement structures, state-of-the-art mechanistic analysis methodologies are needed to determine accurate pavement responses, such as stress, strain, and deformation. Previous laboratory studies of pavement foundation geomaterials, i.e., unbound granular materials used in base/subbase layers and fine-grained soils of a prepared subgrade, have shown that the resilient responses followed by nonlinear, stress-dependent behavior under repeated wheel loading. This nonlinear behavior is commonly characterized by stress-dependent resilient modulus material models that need to be incorporated into finite element (FE) based mechanistic pavement analysis methods to predict more realistically predict pavement responses for a mechanistic pavement analysis. Developed user material subroutine using aforementioned resilient model with nonlinear solution technique and convergence scheme with proven performance were successfully employed in general-purpose FE program, ABAQUS. This numerical analysis was investigated in predicted critical responses and domain selection with specific mesh generation was implemented to evaluate better prediction of pavement responses. Results obtained from both axisymmetric and three-dimensional (3D) nonlinear FE analyses were compared and remarkable findings were described for nonlinear FE analysis. The UMAT subroutine performance was also validated with the instrumented full scale pavement test section study results from the Federal Aviation Administration's National Airport Pavement Test Facility (FAA's NAPTF).

• Geomechanics and Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.5
• /
• pp.625-638
• /
• 2016

This paper presents field study and numerical modeling results for a single-cell low-fill concrete box culvert under a flexible pavement subjected to traffic loading. The culvert in the field test was instrumented with displacement transducers to capture the deformations resulting from different combinations of static and traffic loads. A low-boy truck with a known axle configuration and loads was used to apply seven static load combinations and traffic loads at different speeds. Deflections under the culvert roof were measured during loading. Soil and pavement samples were obtained by drilling operation on the test site. The properties of the soil and pavement layers were determined in the laboratory. A 3-D numerical model of the culvert was developed using a finite difference program FLAC3D. Linear elastic models were used for the pavement layers and soil. The numerical results with the material properties determined in the laboratory were compared with the field test results. The observed deflections in the field test were generally smaller under moving loads than static loads. The maximum deflections measured during the static and traffic loads were 0.6 mm and 0.41 mm respectively. The deflections computed by the numerical method were in good agreement with those observed in the field test. The deflection profiles obtained from the field test and the numerical simulation suggest that the traffic load acted more like a concentrated load distributed over a limited area on the culvert. Elastic models for culverts, pavement layers, and surrounding soil are appropriate for numerical modeling of box culverts under loading for load rating purposes.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.61-71
• /
• 2014

PURPOSES : The first generation of wide base tires introduced in the early 1980s was found to cause a significant increase in pavement damage compared to dual-tire assemblies. However, wide base tires have evolved considerably, and a new generation of wide base tire is thought to be comparable to conventional dual tires for pavement damage. A challenge associated with using wide base tires is the accurate quantification of pavement damage induced by these tires. The objective of this study was to investigate the responses of flexible pavement to continuously moving vehicular loading under various tire configurations. METHODS : The comparison of the strain/stress responses of full-depth pavement caused by conventional dual tire assembly and new generation of wide-base tires was performed. The FE model incorporates linear viscoelasticity of asphalt material and continuous moving load using implicit dynamic analysis. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONS : The result demonstrates that the new wide-base tires caused slightly more fatigue damage and less primary rutting damage in HMA layer than a dual-tire assembly, but caused more secondary rutting damage in subgrade than a dual tire assembly.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.5 no.4 s.18
• /
• pp.13-22
• /
• 2003

Several design methods from overseas are employed without considering different conditions such as material properties, climate, and traffic condition in this country. Therefore, there are limitations in application. Therefore, new pavement analysis system which is able to design a pavement efficiently and economically should be set up. In this study, 243 probable sections are classified depending on values of layer thickness and elastic modulus, and the effect of load types for the probable sections are analyzed. The section showing larger load distribution is chosen for analysis. As a result of sensitivity, a layer thickness has more influence on pavement than an elastic modulus does. The stress distribution of FWD test load is larger than that of circular load. This study compares outputs between nonlinear elastic model and linear elastic model. Based on the result, this study finds nonlinear elastic model considering stress condition in the ground is recommended for subbase.

• Land and Housing Review
• /
• v.11 no.2
• /
• pp.95-104
• /
• 2020

This study aims to explore a purely mechanistic pavement analysis approach where viscoelasticity and fracture of asphalt mixtures are considered to accurately predict deformation and damage behavior of flexible pavements. To do so, the viscoelastic and fracture properties of designated pavement materials are obtained through experiments and a fully mechanistic damage analysis is carried out using a finite element method (FEM). While modeling crack development can be done in various ways, this study uses the cohesive zone approach, which is a well-known fracture mechanics approach to efficiently model crack initiation and propagation. Different pavement configurations and traffic loads are considered based on three main functional classes of roads suggested by FHWA i.e., arterial, collector and local. For each road type, three different material combinations for asphalt concrete (AC) and base layers are considered to study damage behavior of pavement. A concept of the approach is presented and a case study where three different material combinations for AC and base layers are considered is exemplified to investigate progressive damage behavior of pavements when mixture properties and layer configurations were altered. Overall, it can be concluded that mechanistic pavement modeling attempted in this study could differentiate the performance of pavement sections due to varying design inputs. The promising results, although limited yet to be considered a fully practical method, infer that a few mixture tests can be integrated with the finite element modeling of the mixture tests and subsequent structural modeling of pavements to better design mixtures and pavements in a purely mechanistic manner.

• Structural Engineering and Mechanics
• /
• v.16 no.2
• /
• pp.115-126
• /
• 2003

A novel finite element model based on the incremental endochronic theory with the effect of temperature was developed in this study to explore the deformed behaviors of a flexible pavement material. Three mesh systems and two loading steps were used in the calculation process for a specimen of three-dimensional circular cylinder. Computational results in the case of an uni-axial compression test for temperatures at $20^{\circ}C$ and at $40^{\circ}C$ were compared with available experimental measurements to verify the ability of developing numerical scheme. The isotropic response and the deviatoric response due to the thermal effect were presented from deformations in different profiles and displacement plots for the entire specimen. The characteristics of changing asphalt concrete material under a specified loading condition might be seen clearly from the numerical results, and might provide an useful information in the field of road engineering.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.13 no.4
• /
• pp.117-122
• /
• 2011

Asphalt concrete pavement can be widely seen on urban streets, highways, parking lots, and bike trails. Asphalt concrete pavement is relatively temperature sensitive materials due to the viscoelastic behavior, which can be defined as flexible performance in summer and rigid performance in winter. In terms of maintenance, it can be fixed quite easily if damaged. In addition, asphalt concrete pavement is generally found to be black and grey in color. However, several colors can be adopted to change the appearance of plain old boring, black and grey. Generally, there are two types of color systems in hot mix asphalt concrete materials. One system uses colored cementitious material that is applied to pavement surface through coating the surface of the asphalt pavement. The major disadvantage to this system requires a careful skill set to be used on the construction site in order to prevent taking off the cementitious material. The other coloring system colors the asphalt hot mixtures through using color additives. The main advantage to this system is that the asphalt pavement layer is colored using the same techniques that are already used in paving. The disadvantage is that the colors are limited to mainly reds and browns. In this study, a suggested color additive was evaluated, based on rutting, moisture sensitivity, and fatigue cracking performance.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.11 no.1
• /
• pp.187-194
• /
• 2009

This paper presents the development of transfer function accounting for cross-anisotropic behavior of aggregate base material for the pavement thickness design. The stress distributions predicted by nonlinear cross-anisotropic finite element program were realistic by eliminating excessive tensile stress at the bottom of the base layer and the critical pavement responses predicted by nonlinear cross-anisotropic model are higher than those predicted by linear or nonlinear isotropic models (Kim, 2004, Kim et at., 2005). Since the previously developed transfer functions such as Asphalt Institute and Chevron models, etc. were based on the critical responses obtained from linear isotropic model, those equations are not appropriate for the thickness design nonlinear cross-anisotropic base behavior. Therefore, the development of usable transfer functions for nonlinear cross-anisotropic model is ever more important. When the newly developed transfer functions were compared with AASHTO method for the thickness design, the newly developed transfer functions produce approximately 25mm reduced UAB thickness in AASHTO thickness design and this illustrates that linear isotropic model results in more conservative pavement design.

• International Journal of Highway Engineering
• /
• v.15 no.4
• /
• pp.127-133
• /
• 2013

PURPOSES : The impact performance of flexible barrier system such as structural response, vehicular motion and occupant safety vary depending on the impact point. Thus, to properly evaluate the performance of a flexible barrier system, impact should be made to a point which will lead to the worst possible results. This point is called the Critical Impact Point (CIP). This paper presents the way to determine the CIP for a SB2 class flexible barrier system which is consisted of Thrie-Beam rail and circular hollow tube post of 2m span. METHODS: Barrier VII simulations were made for impact points; Case 1 at a post, Case 2 at 1/3 span downstream from a post, Case 3 at middle of the span, Case 4 at 2/3 span downstream from a post. For the structural performance (deflections), impact simulation of 8000kg-65km/h-15degree was used, and for vehicle motion and occupant safety, simulation of 1300kg-80km/h-20degree impact was made and analysed. RESULTS: Case 1 gave the largest dynamic deflection of 75.72cm and also gave the largest snag value of 44.3cm. Occupant safety and exit angle of the vehicle after the impact were not sensitive to the impact point and were all below the allowable limit. CONCLUSIONS : For the SB2 class flexible barrier system's CIP can be regarded as a post which is sufficiently away from the end of Length of Need in order to avoid the end-effect of the barrier system. It can be more economic in the long run because the normal concrete pavement material is likely to cost more due to higher probability of maintenance and repair and higher social cost due to traffic accident, etc.