Pavement Response to Moving Loads

ABSTRACT A multi-layer, four dimensional spatial and temporal, physical model for the dynamic responses of a road structure is established in an analytic framework by integrating together vehicle dynamics, road profiles characteristics, frictional characteristics of vehicle-road contacts, and pavement visco-elastic properties. Functional expressions for displacement, stress and strain within layered structures are derived. Surface roughness effect on the dynamic response of road structures is investigated. The dynamic stress, strain, and displacement are examined using a visco-elastic two-layer road as an example. The model can help practitioners to estimate the dynamic response of asphalt concrete pavements for various design and rehabilitation purposes; moreover, it is applicable for studying the dynamic responses of Portland cement concrete pavements by adjusting the material parameters in the model.