USE OF A THREE-DIMENSIONAL, DYNAMIC FINITE ELEMENT PROGRAM FOR ANALYSIS OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT

Predominantly flexible pavement structural response to loads is predicted by using an elastic multilayer analysis. This type of analysis is based on the assumption that pavements are subjected to static loads and that paving and subgrade materials are linear elastic materials. In this paper, ABAQUS, a three-dimensional, dynamic finite element program (3D-DFEM), was used to analyze flexible pavements subjected to moving loads at various speeds. A number of material models were used to represent actual material characteristics such as viscoelasticity and elastoplasticity. The validity and then the application of 3D-DFEM to flexible pavement analysis were examined. Validation was accomplished by analysis of both static and dynamic cases. The static and dynamic verification studies indicated that 3D-DFEM can be used with confidence to predict actual pavement response from moving loads.