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ScienceDirect
Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416

Transportation Geotechnics and Geoecology, TGG 2017, 17-19 May 2017, Saint Petersburg,
Russia

Finite Element Analysis of Flexible Pavement with Geogrids

S.K.Ahirwara,* , J.N. Mandala
a
Department of Civil Engineering, Indian Institute of Technology Bombay, Powai, Mumbai – 400076, India

Abstract

Geogrids is being increasingly used as a reinforced material in various divisions of civil engineering. The
flexible pavement is the one of major area, where the needs of improvement in performance of pavement service life,
base course and subgrade. The finite element method is a best suitable tool for solving problems related to nonlinear
nature of materials. The objective of this article to access the functioning of geogrids in flexible pavement through
finite element analysis with PLAXIS 2D software. The Mohr-coulomb model used for materials in the base layer,sub-
base layer and subgrade layer and elastic model interface element used for geogrids to simulate the interaction
condition. The triangular element of 15-noded is used for layers of pavements. The traffic intensity and thickness of
each layer was use according to codal provisions of Indian road congress (IRC: 37-2012). In the present study, axis-
symmetric model is used in the PLAXIS 2D for investigating the effect of axial stiffness of geogrids in the pavement
at different thickness of base layer. The finite element analysis results shows the reduction in vertical surface
deformation when the geogrids were added between the pavement layers. Results of previously published research
shows the improvement in pavement performance when geogrids used as a reinforcement.

© 2017
© 2017TheTheAuthors.
Authors. Published
Published by Elsevier
by Elsevier Ltd. Ltd.
This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International conference on Transportation Geotechnics and
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Geoecology.
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International conference on Transportation Geotechnics and Geoecology

Keywords: Finite element method; geogrids; Pavement; Stiffness; Deformation.

* Corresponding author. Tel.: +91-999-398-5530

E-mail address: sunilahirwar@civil.iitb.ac.in

1877-7058 © 2017 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY-NC-ND license
(http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc-nd/4.0/).
Peer-review under responsibility of the scientific committee of the International conference on Transportation Geotechnics and Geoecology
doi:10.1016/j.proeng.2017.05.065
412 S.K. Ahirwar and J.N. Mandal / Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416

1. Introduction

A flexible pavement is a load bearing structure, consisting of layers of different granular materials above the earth.
The primary function of flexible pavement is to make a safe riding base without any discomfort for the passenger and
vehicles due to excessive deformation of pavement structures. The durability of flexible pavement is depending on
the various parameters such as layers thickness, quality of pavement materials and environment conditions. However,
it is observed the using of empirical equations and approach in the design methods for estimation of design thickness
of pavement does not show to be economical. Modelling of flexible pavement is based on elastic multilayer structure
and the computation of stresses and strains at the critical location using a linear layered elastic model. Finite element
method is a solution tool for modelling and analyzing of various types of structures. This technique provides a
methodology to solve the complex problems related to the pavement structures. The main benefits of the finite element
method are its suitability and flexibility for analysis of the different boundary conditions and different materials
properties. Many numerical studies have done on the geogrid-reinforced pavement to assess the stresses and
deformation. Several researchers have done studies the effect of geogrid-reinforced pavement over the structural
performance of roads through laboratory, field, and finite element methods. Barkarsdale et al. [1] studied on the
potential benefits of geosynthetics on flexible pavements with finite element analysis. The result shows that the more
stiffness of reinforcement improved the bearing capacity ratio of pavement. ABAQUS, a finite element program was
used to modelling and validation of the flexible pavement [2]. Elasto plastic Drucker-Prager model suggested for
simulating the granular base layer [3].Reduction in rut depth due to reinforcement action of geogrid was achieved
with finite element program [4]. The finite element method provides a good prediction of results for three layers
materials in pavement section subjected to different loading conditions [5]. A finite element model prepared to identify
strain behaviour for flexible pavement reinforced with geosynthetics where reinforcement was used in aggregate layer
[6]. Two-dimensional finite element studies under plain strain conditions to analyzing the effect of geogrid stiffness
and thickness of asphalt layer in reinforced pavement sections [7]. Mohr-Coulomb material model used for finite
element analysis for granular materials at low-stress levels [8].To examine the advantages of geogrid reinforcements
in layers of pavement were analyzed by FE model [9]. Geogrid of higher tensile stiffness and having more value of
interface friction coefficient provides better performance as a result of a reduction in stress and deformation on the
subgrade with the used of ABAQUS [10]. Analyzed the improvement in pavement section using geogrid with
consideration of different parameters like axial stiffness of geogrids and base course thickness [11]. Finite element
simulation studies for flexible pavement according to Indian road congress (IRC: 37-2012) and compare the cost-
effectiveness of copper slag –fly ash- dolime mix to the water-bound macadam layer [12]. Finite element analysis
using ANSYS software by applying linear isotropic elastoplastic hardening model and evaluate the performance of
different types of sub-base material on the life of pavement [13]. Axisymmetric two-dimensional finite element
simulation used for analyzing the main parameters at different thickness of pavement materials [14].Several
researchers recommended that geosynthetics using at the interface of base course and sub-base course while other
researchers found geosynthetics should be placed between base course and subgrade of the pavement section. In this
study, a finite element modeling of pavement section with geogrid is carrying out using PLAXIS 2D software and
searching the effect of the interface friction between the geogrid and different material of pavement layers.

2. Materials and methods

2.1 Finite element analysis

A two-dimensional non-linear finite element tool was used to modeling a typical pavement section with assumptions
of plain strain conditions. PlAXIS 2D is a finite element tool specially made for stability and deformation analysis for
problems of geotechnical structures such as earth retaining structures, foundations, the stability of slopes, pavement
structures, and underground structures. A model of pavement section contains surface layer (Asphalt concrete), base
layer (copper slag), sub-base layer (sand) and subgrade layer (black cotton soil). The flexible pavement modeled as a
multilayer structure subjected to static loading according to IRC: 37-2012[15].The pavement model is using PLAXIS
 S.K. Ahirwar and J.N. Mandal / Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416 413

2D finite element software for analyzing the base layer thickness with and without geogrid. The thickness of the layer
of pavement model was chosen as per codal provisions of Indian road congress (IRC: 37-2012) and design traffic
intensity considered 150 Million Standard Axles (MSA). The total thickness of pavement was varied from 1080 to
1230 mm containing 500 mm subgrade layer, 380 mm sub-base layer. A uniform loading of 575 kPa was applied
which is equivalent to a single wheel load of 4080 kg [15].

2.2 Finite element modeling

A two-dimensional axis-symmetric modeling used for flexible pavement due to the saving of time and memory.
Two type triangular elements (6 or 15 nodes) are available in the plaxis software for analysis. In the present study, 15-
noded structural solid elements use for modeling of the pavement section. Boundary conditions of the model were
chosen in order to that the influence of the stress distribution would be minimized. Four-layer pavement model with
a right boundary placed 1.10 m to the exterior edge of tire pressure area, which is equivalent to seven times the radius
15 cm of the surface load [14]. A fixed support was used at the horizontal base for no movement. Vertical displacement
allowed for both vertical sides of the model and no horizontal movement allowed at sides of the mesh. Unreinforced
and reinforced models used for the study the effect of reinforcement on the pavement section [16].

Table 1. Pavement material properties.

Material Surface Base Sub-base Subgrade

(Asphalt concrete) (Copper slag) (Sand) (Clay)
Type of Model Linear elastic Mohr-Coulomb Mohr-Coulomb Mohr-Coulomb
Thickness (mm) 100 100-250 380 500
Dry unit weight (kN/m3) 22.3 22.2 15.5 14.50
Saturated unit weight - 23.5 16.2 16.10
(kN/m3)
Cohesion (kN/m2) - 1 1 120
Angle of internal - 43 40 5
friction(Ø°)
Elastic Modulus (MPa) 1000 20 42 10.6
Poisson’s ratio (μ) 0.35 0.35 0.35 0.35

Table 2. Mechanical properties of reinforcement.

Type of material Material model Axial stiffness

Geogrid Linear elastic 200 – 1000 kN/m

3. Discussion and conclusions

In the present study, finite element modelling analysed to examine the beneficial effects of reinforcement in
pavement base layers at different thickness. The output results of plaxis software shows the beneficial effects of the
axial stiffness of geogrids in the base course and interface strength of materials at different thickness of base course
layer on vertical surface deformation, as shown in figures.
414 S.K. Ahirwar and J.N. Mandal / Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416

Fig.1. Surface deformation profile for unreinforced and reinforced base layer of 100 mm thickness.

Fig. 2. Surface deformation profile for unreinforced and reinforced base layer of 150 mm thickness.

Fig. 3. Surface deformation profile for unreinforced and reinforced base layer of 200 mm thickness.

Fig. 4. Surface deformation profile for unreinforced and reinforced base layer of 250 mm thickness.
 S.K. Ahirwar and J.N. Mandal / Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416 415

Fig. 5. Effect of reinforcement on surface deformation. Fig. 6. Effect of axial stiffness of geogrid on surface deformation.

The finite element analysis results indicated that geogrid-reinforced pavement has less deformation as compared
to unreinforced flexible pavement for the same thickness of base layer and same loading conditions. Vertical surface
deformation on the top surface of the pavement is shown in the figures 1 to 4 with respect to variation in pavement
thickness (100 mm-250 mm) at same loading conditions and with and without geogrids. In the finite element analysis
geogrids used at the interface of base course and sub-base course of the pavement. The coefficient of interface strength
value varies from 0.6 to 1.0 for base and sub-base material. Figure 5 shows the reduction in surface deformation with
the inclusion of geogrid is approximately 11% for 100 mm base layer and 5% for 200 mm thickness base layer. This
is due to tensioned membrane effect of geogrids at the interface of base and subbase course. Figure 6 shows the effect
of axial stiffness of geogrid on the vertical surface deformation. It is observed that the reduction in deformation
occurred as the axial stiffness of geogrid is increased. As axial stiffness of geogrid increases from 200 kN/m to 1000
kN/m, the reduction in surface deformation varies from 2.8 % to 7.5%. The vertical surface deformation decreases, as
the axial stiffness of geogrid increases up to the axial stiffness of 800 kN/m. This is due to confinement effect of
geogrids, which is another advantage of using geogrids. It has found from the finite element analysis that the reduction
of surface deformation 5-11%, this is nearer to other research refer to [15].The finite element analysis results are
discuss in terms of surface deformation and axial stiffness of geogrids. The conclusions of this study are as follows:
(1) Vertical surface deformations in flexible pavement reinforced with geogrids are less as compared to
unreinforced flexible pavements.
(2) The reduction in vertical surface deformation shows approximate constant when thickness of base layer varies
from 150 mm to 200 mm.
(3) The beneficial effect of geogrid in terms of axial stiffness observed at 800 kN/m. No further reduction in
deformation has observed after increasing the axial stiffness of geogrids.
(4) The maximum reduction in vertical surface deformation is achieved when coefficient of interface friction reach
to 0.92.
416 S.K. Ahirwar and J.N. Mandal / Procedia Engineering 189 (2017) 411 – 416

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