Analysis of Fixed and Variable Rigid Pavements in Comparison for Longevity, Durability and Cost-effectiveness

Abstract

Urbanization has increased significantly during the last century, affecting both rural and urban areas. Due to the growing need for improved connectivity and services, roads and other transportation infrastructure are being built quickly. To meet this need, scientists, designers, and builders have been investigating novel and reasonably priced manufactured goods with the goal of streamlining the building process and improving overall robustness. In recent times, concrete pavements have witnessed a surge in popularity in India, driven by the escalating costs associated with bituminous pavement. The main benefit of using stiff pavement is that it is resilient and can hold its form even under harsh weather and traffic situations. Although concrete pavements may have a higher initial cost, they frequently wind up being more economical in the long run since they require less upkeep and have an excellent design life. This study's primary objective is to present a comparative analysis of pavement appropriateness while accounting for longevity, durability, and cost-effectiveness, among other factors. The simulation can be utilised to gain a quantitative understanding of the dynamic strains and deflections present in a rigid pavement and flexible system. It is discovered that the impact of surface roughness on a slab structure's dynamic response is significant for the pavement structure's useable life span and can be taken into consideration during pavement design. The model can be adjusted to determine the k-value needed to assess a pavement's subgrade support as it ages.