Development of a static plate test finite element calculation model

Abstract

In the last few years as the budget for the road sector has been decreasing in Latvia, the number of road pavement structure reinforcement projects has been increasing. In order to ensure the long-term viability of the road it is necessary to assess the load-bearing capacity of the existing road structure and the subgrade. During the geotechnical research, the load-bearing capacity of the existing base layers is assessed using static plate test. However, the accuracy of the results is strongly influenced by the thickness of the existing asphalt layer and the size of the dismantled asphalt area. In order to determine the load-bearing capacity of the existing road base in the deeper layers, the engineer performs a subjective experience-based interpretation that is not based on mathematical calculations. With the development of geotechnical survey equipment and engineers’ understanding of the bearing capacity of the subgrade, it is also possible to use other field research methods, such as probing and interpretation of their data. Various software’s for soil calculations have been developed worldwide. With the help of software’s, it is possible to evaluate the properties of soil layers, predict deformations and develop reinforcement solutions, however, the obtained results do not reflect the basic bearing capacity, which is expressed in MPa units. It is planned to develop a Finite Element Method simulation of static plate test based on the values of the soil layer parameters obtained from the interpretations of the probe data and to compare the results with the static plate test performed on site. The aim of the study is to determine whether the load-bearing capacity of the existing base can be accurately determined by finite element calculations - a simulation of a static plate test based on the physical-mechanical properties of the soil determined during the geotechnical survey.