Experimental Tests and Finite Element Modeling of Shrinkage Behavior in Cement Stabilized Aggregate Base

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to develop regression functions of material properties based on experimental results and finite element method (FEM) model to simulate shrinkage behavior in cement stabilized aggregate base. Firstly, material properties were obtained from physical property tests. The correlations were established among cement content, strength, modulus and shrinkage coefficients by statistics regression. Secondly, a FEM model was developed to simulate dry and thermal shrinkage in base. Thirdly, a simplified method to predict shrinkage cracking spacing was obtained. Finally, FEM model was validated by comparison analysis with analytical solutions and field observations in roller compacted concrete (RCC) pavement due to similar shrinkage behavior. It is discovered that the strength and shrinkage properties of cement stabilized aggregate have good correlations with the 7-day unconfined compressive strength. It is also observed that from relationships of pavement length and shrinkage stresses, shrinkage cracking spacing can be predicted by FEM calculation. It is proved that proposed FEM model is an accurate tool to simulate shrinkage behavior and prediction results are consistent with actual pavement performance.