Modeling to simulate inverted asphalt pavement testing: An emphasis on cracks in the semirigid subbase

Abstract

Typical inverted asphalt pavement (IAP) finite element (FE) models consider the semirigid subbase as an intact slab. Quarter IAP FE models with cracks in the subbase are developed to include the effect of cracks on pavement responses. To facilitate the model validation, heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) accelerated pavement testing (APT) and falling weight deflectometer (FWD) tests are conducted on four instrumented IAP test sections with transverse cracks sawed into the top of the subbase. The crack is simulated with cohesive elements, and the loading part geometry and dimension are determined by measuring the tire-pavement contact characteristics of the HVS dual-wheel carriage. The minimum mesh size of 0.01 m is specified in the convergence analysis. Dimension validity analysis results illustrate that the quarter model cannot represent the overlapping effect of the dual-wheel loads along the depth direction. FWD tests simulation and P-value results of paired T-tests between the simulated and measured pavement responses indicate that the FE model developed in the study can replicate the actual pavement response well. The model is valid for the pavement testing simulation of IAP with cracks in the subbase.