Abstract
Existing statistical data show that the use of pedestrian block pavements is increasing. This paper compares two approaches used to analyse a block pavement in an urban shared area. In presence of occasional heavy traffic roads, the pavement should be verified using methods currently used for road pavements. The analytical theory of Westergaard and the commercial finite element (FE) software Abaqus® were used to calculate the response of the pavement when subjected to different loading, and geometrical configurations. In all the examined cases, the results obtained from the analytical theory of Westergaard were higher than those obtained from the adopted static FEMs. Therefore, a parametric study was performed in order to use the analytical method as an alternative to the costly FEM approach introducing a Dynamic Amplification Factor (DAF). The results of comparison gave interesting results, valid for hexagonal pavers: it is possible to estimate analytically with good approximation the stresses induced by heavy loads applied to natural stone blocks. This is an interesting result since the analytical theory provides an inexpensive procedure for the analysis of modular pavements.
Highlights
Block or modular pavements are urban structures composed of pre-formed modular pavers successfully used worldwide for low-traffic-volume roads
Existing statistical data show that the use of pedestrian block pavements is increasing
The analytical theory of Westergaard and numerical static models performed by the software Abaqus® were used to calculate the maximum tensile stresses induced by the traffic
Summary
Block or modular pavements are urban structures composed of pre-formed modular pavers successfully used worldwide for low-traffic-volume roads. In the last couple of decades, the use of this type of structures has increased, especially for pedestrian zones, cycle paths, residential driveways, parking lots, and historical city centres [1,2]. In these applications, modular pavements have revealed to have both good technical performances and low life cycle costs [3]. In historic city neighbourhoods and towns, modular pedestrian pavements are often used because of their architectural and environmental impact [4] These pavements differ from traditional rigid or flexible structures because of the dimension and shape of their modules. Available materials and their corresponding properties, the load bearing capacity of the subgrade in the area where the pavement will be built, and ordinary and accidental traffic loads [9] should be considered
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