Numerical Simulation of Influence of Climatic Factors on Concrete Pavements Built on Expansive Soil

Abstract

Expansive soils beneath the concrete pavements can cause distresses in pavements under the influence of climatic factors. This article presented a complete system aimed at simulating the soil-rigid pavement system and its responses to daily weather conditions. The weather data included rainfall, solar radiation, air temperature, relative humidity and wind speed, all of which are readily available from a local weather station or the internet. These data were used to determine the flux boundary conditions for the simulation. A coupled hydro-mechanical stress analysis was used to simulate the volume change of expansive soils due to both mechanical stress and water content variations. Coupled hydro-mechanical stress jointed elements were used to simulate the interaction between the soil and the concrete slab, contour integral evaluation was used to determine the possibility of cracking occurrence. These models were combined to a single system to predict the rigid pavement behavior for which some conclusions were derived.