Application of Linear Viscoelastic Properties in Semianalytical Finite Element Method with Recursive Time Integration to Analyze Asphalt Pavement Structure

Abstract

Traditionally, asphalt pavements are considered as linear elastic materials in finite element (FE) method to save computational time for engineering design. However, asphalt mixture exhibits linear viscoelasticity at small strain and low temperature. erefore, the results derived from the elastic analysis will inevitably lead to discrepancies from reality. Currently, several FE programs have already adopted viscoelasticity, but the high hardware demands and long execution times render them suitable primarily for research purposes. Semianalytical finite element method (SAFEM) was proposed to solve the abovementioned problem. e SAFEM is a three-dimensional FE algorithm that only requires a two-dimensional mesh by incorporating the Fourier series in the third dimension, which can significantly reduce the computational time. is paper describes the development of SAFEM to capture the viscoelastic property of asphalt pavements by using a recursive formulation. e formulation is verified by comparison with the commercial FE software ABAQUS. An application example is presented for simulations of creep deformation of the asphalt pavement. e investigation shows that the SAFEM is an efficient tool for pavement engineers to fast and reliably predict asphalt pavement responses; furthermore, the SAFEM provides a flexible, robust platform for the future development in the numerical simulation of asphalt pavements.

Modified PCI Multipliers for Time‐Dependent Deformation of PSC Bridges

“…Long-term behavior is both affected by creep and drying shrinkage at the same time. erefore, r t , the rate of creep and drying shrinkage over time, were derived from the average of (13) and (14) as shown in (15). Figure 1 shows the graphs of creep and drying shrinkage rates over time.…”

“…However, the reliability of such predictions has not been sufficiently verified, and these methods are difficult and complicated for designers to understand and use. In addition, due to recent advances in computer technology, many researchers are trying to predict and evaluate the long-term behavior of PSC bridges by numerical analysis using the finite difference method or finite element method [12][13][14][15][16][17], but for designers, a simple and clear prediction method is more preferable.…”

The Consequences of Dimension Reduction for Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) Asphalt Mixtures: Morphological Characteristics and Finite Element Model (FEM) Simulation

“…In finite element modeling on a global scale, pavement is usually deemed a homogenous material in order to reduce computational costs. Previous studies demonstrated that simplification would not significantly affect simulation accuracy only if it was employed under proper mesh treatment [2,3]. On a local scale, two approaches are feasible for constructing an asphalt mixture model, depending on the simulation's purpose.…”

Comparative Study on the Dynamic Response of Asphalt Pavement Structures: Analysis Using the Classic Kelvin, Maxwell, and Three-Parameter Solid Models

“…Stress state analysis and structural dynamic response calculation in asphalt pavement are essential for the design, construction, and maintenance [33]. Choosing a constitutive model that can adequately characterize the material and precisely estimate its characteristics is essential to obtaining a real and accurate stress state and structural dynamic response [34].…”