Finite element modelling of the rolling resistance due to pavement deformation

Abstract

ABSTRACTRolling resistance is defined as the energy lost when the vehicle tyre rolls over a pavement surface. The pavement surface texture, roughness and deformation are shown to influence rolling resistance to varying degrees. Several recent studies have focused on determining the vehicle rolling resistance primarily based on pavement surface characteristics without quantifying the effect of pavement elastic deformations on this parameter. This paper focuses on isolating the pavement structure-induced component of the rolling resistance by performing finite element (FE) modelling on flexible and rigid pavement structures using the ABAQUS software under a moving wheel load. The structure-induced rolling resistance (SRR) was shown to be significant for flexible pavements with thin structures and weak support, and relatively insignificant for rigid pavements and thick flexible pavements at low temperature. Due to the complexity of the FE analyses, a reliable procedure was developed for predicting the SRR for in-service pavements using falling weight deflectometer data. Quantifying the effect of SRR can lead to the construction of pavement structures with lower rolling resistance, which in turn will reduce the fuel consumption and the carbon footprint of the roadway network.