FINITE-ELEMENT DYNAMIC ANALYSIS OF DISTRESSED ASPHALT PAVEMENTS

Three-dimensional finite-element pavement-subgrade models are developed in this study to simulate falling weight deflectometer (FWD) loading on highway pavements. Reasonably good agreement is found between FWD deflections measured on selected pavements and computed dynamic deflections for pavement models subjected to the FWD load pulse and contact simulation. Effects of loading force-time history and pavement cracking on the surface deflections response of an asphalt pavement are also presented. The creep modulus of asphalt mix is predicted using a micromechanical model which calculates the viscoelastic response from creep compliance test results of the binder and elastic properties of the aggregates.