Analysis of moisture damage susceptibility of semi-rigid base materials based on hydrodynamic pressure erosion test and damage constitutive model

Abstract

The hydrodynamic erosion generated by the pumping action of the wheel load during rain and snow is the main cause of the semi-rigid base failure. Unfortunately, however, very few experimental methods and damage models can reasonably describe and predict the moisture damage performance of semi-rigid base materials under the pumping action. To address this issue, a hydrodynamic pressure erosion test was conducted firstly. Then, the compressive test was performed on the eroded specimens to evaluate the damage mechanism of semi-rigid base materials subjected to hydrodynamic erosion. Finally, a moisture-induced damage model that is applicable to the semi-rigid base materials was established by the concept of damage mechanics. The results indicated that the presented damage model encapsulates the complex behavior of the semi-rigid base materials under the hydrodynamic pressure and provides a more rational method for predicting the moisture damage performance of semi-rigid base materials.