Numerical investigation on the dynamic behaviour of unpaved roads under realistic moving loads

Accurate simulation of the response of unbound granular pavements to realistic tyre loads is essential for enhancing the current understanding of their behaviour. A proper evaluation of the stress and strain distribution within pavement layers under moving loads, while accounting for the elastoplastic material behaviour, is paramount for their design. This article presents findings from three-dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) analysis on unpaved roads, considering moving loads and material plasticity. The advantage of using the 3D FE method for pavement analysis is demonstrated by comparing its predictions to those from the multilayer elastic theory-based approach. The study highlights the importance of considering moving loads and elastoplastic material behaviour for a more accurate prediction of pavement response. The findings from this study lead to a better understanding of the dynamic response of unpaved roads under moving loads, especially regarding the spatiotemporal stress variations, strain distribution, tyre-pavement contact stresses, and formation of pavement defects.