FINITE ELEMENT MODELING OF THE STRESS-STRAIN STATE OF PAVE STRUCTURES UNDER THE ACTION OF TRANSPORT LOADS

Abstract

The problem of mathematical modeling of the stress-strain state of inhomogeneous structures of pavements of roads and bridges throughout the entire life cycle is considered in order to increase their strength and durability. A classical approach to the consideration of the stress-strain state of a certain section of a structure by analyzing an infinitesimal element of this system is described. The problem is reduced to a partial differential equation, which is solved using approximate methods. To solve the problem, an approach is used to discretize the continuous medium of an object through the calculation of a certain number of elements of finite sizes and the study of the stress-strain state of such elements, called finite elements (FE). This approach to solving structural mechanics problems is called the finite element method (FEM). The nature of the distribution of tensile and shear stress zones under the wheels of a heavy-duty vehicle is studied in order to analyze the influence of the superposition of stress fields depending on the center distances and distances between the wheels, as well as the presence of cracks. Note that the delamination of the pavement between the first and second layers leads to a noticeable increase in both contiguous and normal tensile stresses, which is the most dangerous for asphalt concrete materials. Therefore, when modeling stress fields in real structures, the corresponding values of design parameters, characteristics of mechanical properties, sizes and locations of delamination zones should be taken into account. As a result of the calculations, the most unfavorable combinations of these characteristics should be determined. KEY WORDS: FINITE ELEMENT METHOD, STRESS-STRAIN STATE, ROAD STRUCTURE, STRESS FIELD.