Study of <i>In Situ</i> Mechanical Response of Asphalt Concrete Pavement with Granular Base

Abstract

As elastic modulus of unbounded granular materials is strongly influenced by stress level, pavement structure parameters must be taken into account in its modulus determination. It is found that the backcalculated modulus of granular base vary according to the layer on which FWD is tested, which verifies the fact that unbounded granular materials is strongly influenced by stress level. And an earth pressure cell that is applied to acquire compressive stress conducting to granular base course when the pavement is subjected to vehicle load is buried on the top of granular base course. The backcalculated modulus is then applied to analyze mechanical response of the pavement by 3D finite element method. At last, the calculated result is compared to the dynamic response acquired in-situ by earth pressure cell.