Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

Dr. Antonis Michael

Frederick University

Notes Courtesy of Dr. Christos Drakos,

University of Florida

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

Need to predict & understand stress/strain distribution within
the pavement structure as they ( & ) relate to failure
(cracking & rutting)
Numerical Models
Need model to compute deflections () and strains ()
Numerous models available with different:
Capabilities



IDEAL MODEL
Predicts Input Parameters

Strains


Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
1. Available Models
Multilayer Elastic Theory
Finite Element Methods
Viscoelastic Theory (
Dynamic Analysis (inertial effects)
Thermal Models (temperature change)

Most widely used

Reasonable Results
Properties Relatively Simple to Obtain

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

Falling Weight Deflectometer

Small trailer
Dropping Weight
Geophones
Deflection Basin

Uses elastic theory to predict the deflection basin for the given load. Then
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
2. Multilayer Elastic Theory
a = radius

q = pressure
E 1, 1 z1

E 2, 2 z2 Point B
Point A

E 3, 3
z3
Assumptions (p. 60):
Each Layer
Continuous


Linearly
Material is
Finite thickness (except last layer)

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

2. Multilayer Elastic Theory (cont.)
a = radius

q = pressure
E 1, 1 z1

E 2, 2 z2 Point B
Point A

E 3, 3
z3
Assumptions (cont.):
Surface stresses
Circular
Vertical
Why do we want full
Uniformly distributed
friction between layers?
Full
Each layer continuously supported
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

Units Guidelines
Stress: lbs
Reported in psi: psi =
in2

Strain: in
Reported in : = microstrai n = 10 6
in

Deflections: in
Reported in mils: mils =
1000

For homework, exams, and projects, you are expected to

convert all of your answers to these units.

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3. One-layer System
3.1 Based on Boussinesq (1885)
Half-space:
Point load on an elastic half-space
Examine distribution along Z & X

3 1 P
P z = 5
z 2 z2
r 2 2

1 +
z z z
Z
r Where:
z =
z
r=
z=
P=
X
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
3.2 One-layer Solutions (Foster & Ahlvin)
Developed charts to determine z, t, r, rz & w (=0.5)
Figures 2.2 2.6 Axisymmetric loading:
2a z =
r =
q t =
rz =
w =

z z a
q
rz 0

Depth
1a
r t 2a

r 3a 2a 1a 0
Offset

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2 One-layer Solutions (Foster & Ahlvin)
Charts follow similar outline

Depth (z) and offset

(r) are
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2.1 Vertical Stress

a
Given:
Load, P = 9000 lbs q
Pressure, q = 80 psi
z z=6
Find:
Vertical Stress, z @ z=6 & r=6
r=6

First, we need to

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2.1 Vertical Stress (cont)
z/a = 6/6 =1
r/a = 6/6 =1
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2.2 Deflection
Flexible Plate Rigid Plate

Rubber q q Steel

Deflection Profile

Ground Reaction

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2.2 Deflection (cont.)
a = 6
How can we use one-layer
q = 80 psi theory to estimate the deflection
h1= 4 of the system?
h2= 8 Pavement
Structure
h3= 12
We can assume
A

Basically:

For this case (assuming
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
3.2.2 Deflection (cont.)

Given:
z/a=24/6=4
r/a=0

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

3.2.2 Deflection (cont.)
a = 6
Examine two cases:
q = 80 psi
h1= 4
Clay Dense Sand
h2= 8 E=2,500 E=25,000

h3= 12

Subgrade quality
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
4. Stresses & Strains for Design
Purpose of the pavement structure:
Protect the subgrade; reduce

4.1 Vertical Stress

Vertical stress on top of subgrade; important in pvt design as
it accounts
Allowable z depends on
Vertical compressive
a
To combine
q

Effect of E1 h1

E2 h2
c E3

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

4.2 Tensile Strain
Tensile strain at the bottom of AC layer; used in pvt design as
the
Two types of strain:
Overall minor
Horizontal principal strain, t (not

Horizontal principal strain (t) used as a design criterion.

a
q
E1 h1

E2 h2

E3

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
4.2.1 Overall Principal Strains
Based on all 6 components of normal and shear stresses x,
y, z, xy, xz, yz
Solve cubic equation to get 1, 2, & 3
1
Then calculate principal strains 3 = ( 3 (1 + 2 ))
E
Minor principal strain (3) considered to be

a
q

AC Minor principal strain (3)

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

4.2.1 Horizontal Principal Strain
Based on the horizontal normal and shear stresses only x,
y, xy
Horizontal principal strain (t) is

Maximum
Always acts on the horizontal plane
Used by the program KENLAYER to predict fatigue failure
a
q

AC
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
5. Two-layer Theory (Burmister)
Developed solutions for:
Vertical deflections (flexible & rigid)
Vertical stresses (limited # of cases)
& highly dependent on

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

5.1 Two-Layer Deflections
In one-layer theory we assumed that all layers could be
represented as one a
surface = top of the subgrade
q
For two-layer theory we have:
Vertical h1 E1
Vertical
E2
5.1.1 Surface Deflections
Flexible

Rigid
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
5.1.2 Surface Deflections Example
a=6
q=80 psi

E1=50,000 psi 6

E2=10,000 psi

Given:
h1/a=6/6=1
E1/E2=5

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

5.1.3 Interface Deflections Example
For the same example as above F
a=6
q=80 psi

E1=50,000 psi 6

E2=10,000 psi Offset

h1/a

Given:
h1/a=6/6=1 ;r/a=0
E1/E2=5
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
5.1.4 Surface Vs Interface Deflections
Compare the results from the example:
Surface deflection = 43 mils
Interface deflection = 40 mils

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

5.2 Two-Layer Vertical Stress
a=6
q=80 psi

E1=500,000 psi h1

E2=5,000 psi

Maximum allowable
c for clay = 8 psi

Given:
c/q=0.1
E1/E2=100
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
5.2 Critical Tensile Strain
a=6
q=80 psi

t E1=200,000 psi 6

Strain Factor, Fe
E2=10,000 psi
e = t= critical
tensile strain
Given:
E1/E2=20
h1/a=1

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

6. Failure Criteria
6.1 Fatigue Cracking Model
Based on Miners cumulative damage concept
Amount of damage expressed as a damage ratio predicted/allowable
load repetitions
Nf = f1 ( t )(E1 )
f2 f3 f1 =

= 0.0796 ( t ) (E1 )
3.291 0.854 f2 & f3 =
Nf
6.2 Rutting Model
Allowable number of load repetitions related to c on top of
the subgrade
Does not account for failure in other layers

Nd = f4 ( c )
f5 f4 & f5=

Nd = 1.365 10 9 ( c )
4.477
Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis
7. Sensitivity Analysis
Sensitivity analyses illustrate the effect of various parameters
on pavement responses
Variables to be considered:
Layer
Layer

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

7.1 Effect of HMA Thickness

Tensile Strain (t) Compressive Strain (c)

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

7.2 Effect of Base Thickness

Tensile Strain (t) Compressive Strain (c)

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

7.3 Effect of Base Modulus

Tensile Strain (t) Compressive Strain (c)

Topic 3 Flexible Pavement Stress Analysis

7.4 Effect of Subgrade Modulus

Tensile Strain (t) Compressive Strain (c)