Three dimensional nonlinear finite element modeling of conventional whitetopping of asphalt pavements

In this paper, a three dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model has been developed for the structural analysis of unbonded conventional whitetopping. In this 3D finite element modeling, conventional whitetopping of 320 mm thick overlay on 150 mm thick hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavement resting on a well compacted subgrade, has been developed. This is the case study of 4 years in-service arterial road of Mumbai-Pune (NH4) in Pimpri Chinchwad Municipal Corporation area. Axle loading has been applied on the whitetopping, and nonlinear static analysis has been carried out using the 'ANSYS' (Analysis System) software. The maximum stresses due to the wheel loading and temperature differential along with deflections at three critical positions in plain cement concrete overlay, i.e., at interior, corner and edge, have been obtained with this model. The maximum stresses and deflections obtained from this model have been compared with the theoretical values obtained from closed form formulae given by Ioannides et al., Bradbury, Kelly, Pickett and ALIZE Model. Also load transfer efficiency (LTE) obtained from this model has been compared with Davids (2000) and LTE obtained from the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) test conducted in the field.