ANALYSIS OF THE FLEXIBLE PAVEMENTS TRANSITIONS USING FINITE ELEMENT METHOD

Leandro Cardoso Trentin, Cassio Eduardo Lima de Paiva

Last modified: 2017-02-28

Abstract


The Finite Element Method (FEM ) is used in many engineering fields by use of advanced computer programmes. In the last years researchers are also evaluating pavement structures with the mentioned method.
The transition of different pavement structures caused the behaviour of the materials to result in differential settlement response when loaded. In this paper, a three–dimensional finite element model was developed in Ansys Programme and statics analyses were performed to evaluate the interface responses among dual wheel bridge and flexible pavement. Soil behaviour was also simulated in this study and results for different structures, in 3D FEM , were compared with a linear elastic model in ELSYM5 programme in order to validate the new model. Different pavement structures with varying base mechanical properties were developed to review the pavement response to static load in flexible pavements transitions. This difference in base material, in most cases, causes the problem of a differential settlement.
This paper tries to develop a research of flexible pavement response to one static load, in this case a dual wheel, on a bridge approach without a slab transition. Also, a comparison of compaction variations was conducted and a survey on deflections was performed.

Keywords


Flexible pavement, Finite Element Method (FEM), Ansys program

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