Mechanical response analysis of asphalt pavement on concrete curved slope bridge deck based on complex mechanical system and temperature field

Abstract

Curved concrete bridges with small radii and large longitudinal slopes are important parts of viaduct ramp, on which the asphalt pavement plays an important role in resisting and dispersing traffic loads. Due to the complexity of curved concrete bridge structures with small radii and large longitudinal slopes, the asphalt pavement is subjected to complex mechanical action under loading. This study investigated the mechanical response of the asphalt pavement on a concrete deck under complex load conditions through a three-dimensional finite element model.The effects of different curvature radii, inside and outside wheel groups, driving speeds and temperature fields on the mechanical response of asphalt pavement were analyzed. The results show that in the process of driving on curved bridge deck, the inside and outside wheels of a vehicle produce different normal forces and longitudinal shear forces due to the influence of centrifugal force and radial force moment. With the decrease of the curvature radius and the increase of the driving speed, nonuniform loads are produced on the bridge deck pavement, which would eventually contribute to nonuniform damages. Under different temperature fields, the bridge deck pavement can undergo different failure modes. Besides, temperature fields have the greatest impact on the damage of bridge deck pavement, followed by driving speeds and curvature radii.