Optimisation and evaluation of concrete pavement using finite element analysis

This study used the Taguchi approach to optimise the concrete pavement using dowel bars. The present work considers two different loading conditions: First, at the junction of the slab (corner) and second, at the edge of the loaded slab (edge). The present research considers five factors: thickness of the concrete panel, modulus of elasticity of concrete, dowel bar length, soil subgrade strength, dowel bar diameter, and five levels for optimising flexural stress and deflection in concrete pavement. The finite element analysis results of Taguchi`s approach recommended design parameters to reduce flexural stress and deflection in concrete pavement for corner and edge loading. After Taguchi's optimisation, an analysis of variance is implemented to examine the effect of the analytical parameters. It has been observed that the soil subgrade strength and concrete pavement thickness are the leading, controlling factors for flexural stress and deflection at corner and edge loading.Abbreviations: AD: Aderson Darling; ANOVA: Analysis of Variance; CPVD: Commercial Vehicles Per Day; DF: Degree of Freedom; FHWA: Federal Highway Administration; FEA: Finite Element Analysis; IRC: Indian Road Congress; LTE: Load Transfer Efficiency; MS: Mean of Square; OA: Orthogonal Array; PCA: Portland Cement Association; S/N: Signal to Noise; SS: Sum of Square