Analysis of Flexible Pavements

Specific instructional objectives

It is expected that the student learn
• Different characteristics of pavement materials that are
to be considered for selecting an appropriate theory for
analysis of flexible pavements
• Salient features of popularly accepted theoretical model
for analysis of flexible pavements
• Different charts and tables commonly used for solution
of different flexible pavement systems
 Introduction
• Pavement performance can be explained in terms of
mechanistic behavior of different component materials
• The mechanistic parameter used to explain the type of
structural failure depends on the type of pavement,
composition of pavement, materials used and loading
conditions
• For computing the mechanistic parameter, it is necessary to
have
• Material model
• Geometric model
Geometric modeling of Pavements
Commonly used models: Beams, Slabs, layers, Finite elements
Foundation conditions: Dense liquid, Elastic

Multi layer system Finite element system

 Material characteristics to be
considered

Relation between stress and

Time dependency
strain

Behavior on removal of load

Mechanical modeling of materials

Dashpot
Spring element
element Kelvin
Maxwell model
Model
 Theoretical model
• Linear elastic theory is most commonly used along with the
assumption of multilayer theory
• Due to short loading time on highways the response is
approximately elastic
• Field experiments suggested that the predictions made with
linear elastic theory compares well with measured
parameters
• There are other theories available with different geometric
and material models
Generalized multilayer system
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system
• Single layer pavements are not very common
• Subgrade subjected to traffic loads can be considered as
single layer systems
• Thin surfaced pavements above subgrade
• It is always computationally convenient to convert a
given multilayer system into an equivalent single layer
system for analysis
• Boussinesq (1885) provided solutions for a point load on
a single layer system
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system

Vertical stress P

σz = k x P x (1/z2) σz
z

r
k = (3/2π) x {1/[1+(r/z)2]5/2}
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Uniformly distributed load)

Boussinesq’s solution for a point load can be expanded

for a uniformly distributed circular load-by integration
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Uniformly distributed load)

Because of axi-symmetry there are three normal stresses

(σz , σr ,σt ) and one shear stress (τrz = τzr)
P
Circular contact area – radius a
Contact Pressure, p

E, μ
z

r
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Uniformly distributed load)
Charts for one layer system
• Foster and Ahlvin developed charts for vertical and
horizontal stresses, and vertical strains due to
circular loaded plate for μ = 0.5
• Ahlvin and Ulery – Tables and charts for more
generalized conditions
• Input parameters - P, p, a (loading conditions)
- r, z (location in pavement)
- E, μ (material properties)
 Ahlvin & Ulery charts for one layer system

• Vertical stress σz = p x [A + B]
• Radial Horizontal stress σr = p x [2μA + C + (1-2μ)F]
• Tangential Horizontal stress σt = p x [2μA - D + (1-2μ)E]
• Vertical radial shear stress, τrz = τzr = pG
• Vertical strain, εz = p(1+μ)(1/E)[(1-2μ)A+ B]
• A, B, C, D, E, F, G – functions of (r, z)

Similarly solutions are provided for Radial horizontal strain,

tangential horizontal strain, vertical deflection, Bulk stress
and bulk strain
Charts provided for different functions (Ahlvin and
Uhlery)
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Uniformly distributed load)

Circular loaded Plate, 125 mm radius

P
Circular contact area – radius a
Contact Pressure, p=0.4 MPa

E= 75MPa
z=125 mm
μ = 0.5

r=125mm
Solution
One layer system – Multiple wheel loads

For Point 1: Load A: r=0, Load B: r=x,

Load C: r=(x2+y2)(1/2) , Load D: r=y

For Point 2: Load A: r=y, Load B: r

=(x2+y2)(1/2) , Load C: r=x; Load D: r=0

For Point 3: All loads r =(1/2)(x2+y2)(1/2)

Compute for individual load and

then superimpose
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Multiple wheel loads)

Circular loaded Plate, 125 mm radius, Compute vertical

stress at 1, 2 and 3
500 mm
P

Contact Pressure, p=0.4 MPa

250 mm
E= 75MPa 125mm
μ = 0.5
Single layer – Point on axis of symmetry

Loading through Flexible Loading through Rigid plate

plate – Pneumatic tyre – Plate load test
• Uniform Pressure • Non uniform Pressure
distribution distribution
• Same deflection
 Single layer – Point on axis of symmetry

Flexible and Rigid plate loading – Vertical deflection

Flexible plate (Tyre)

Vertical deflection ω = {((1+μ)pa/E)}{[a*(1/(a2+z2)0.5)] + [(1-
2μ)(1/a)[(a2+z2)0.5 – z]]}

For μ =0.5 and z =0

ω = 1.5 pa (1/E)
 Single layer – Point on axis of symmetry

Flexible and Rigid plate loading – Vertical deflection

Rigid Plate – deflection is same at all points on the plate
Circular loaded Plate, 125 mm radius
Vertical pressure at a radial distance of ‘r’
p(r) = pa(1/(2(a2-r2)0.5))
p = average pressure

Vertical deflection on the axis of symmetry at the surface for

rigid plate
ω0 = π (1-μ2)pa (1/E)
For μ = 0.5, ω0 =1.178pa (1/E)
 Analysis of one layer pavement
system (Uniformly distributed load)
Plate load test has been conducted on a prepared foundation.
Radius of plate= 150 mm radius. The deflection observed for an
applied load of 40 kN was 2.5 mm. Backcalculate E of the
foundation
P= 40 kN

E= ?
μ = 0.5
Elastic Multi Layer systems
 Elastic multi layer systems
assumptions
• The material in each layer is homogeneous
• The material in each layer is isotropic
• The materials are linearly elastic with an elastic modulus of E and a
Poisson’s ratio of μ
• The layers are infinite in areal extent
• Each layer is of finite thickness except the nth layer
• The material is weightless
• Uniform pressure is applied over circular contact area
• Continuity conditions: a) Full friction b/w layers (same vertical stress,
shear stress, vertical displacement and radial displacement)
• No shearing force at the surface – some models are available for analyzing
surface shear force
 Two layer system

Granular layer HMA

Subgrade Subgrade

• Simplest of multi layer system

• Granular layer above subgrade or Full depth bituminous
layer above subgrade
 Two layer system – Burmister’s
solution
Charts are available for the solution of 2 layer system
with
• Bonded/Rough interface
• For normal uniformly distributed load
• Circular contact area
• For computation of vertical stress and deflection
 Two layer system
• Vertical stress on the top of subgrade
• Points along axis of symmetry
• Applicable for μ1 = μ2 = 0.5

2a

p
E1, μ1 h1

E2, μ2
Two layer system – Burmister’s
solution
 Two layer system
Vertical stress at interface –Observations
• σz decreases significantly as stiffness of pavement
increases
• σz at the interface is about 68% of p for E1/E2 = 1
• σz at the interface is about 8% of p for E1/E2 = 100
• Modular ratio and thickness plays the major role in
reducing the stresses
 Two layer system-Problem
Design a pavement for the criterion-Interface vertical stress
should not exceed 0.056 MPa. Details of pavement materials and
loading are given in the figure. Assume poisson ration of both
the layers as 0.5. What would be the thickness requirement if
modular ratio is changed to 100
300mm

0.56MPa
250MPa h1

50 MPa
 Two layer system-vertical surface
deflection
• Surface deflection, wo = (1.5pa/E2 ) X F2 (Flexible plate)
= (1.18pa/E2 ) x F2 (Rigid plate)
F2 is the deflection factor (poisson’s ratio assumed to be 0.5 for both the
layers)
For homogeneous half space h1/a = 0, F2=1
2a

p
Layer 1: E1, μ1 h1

Layer 2: E2, μ2 ∞
Surface deflection factor, F2
 Two layer system-vertical surface
deflection
Problem: A plate load test was conducted on above the
pavement system. For an applied load of 20 kN, the surface
deflection was measured as 0.25 mm. Estimate the elastic
modulus of the surface layer. Assume both layers to have same
poissons ratio of 0.5
300mm, rigid plate

p
Layer 1: E1 ? H1 =200mm

Layer 2: E2=50 MPa ∞

 Two layer theory
Problem: The design criteria for a two layer system is that the surface
deflection along the axis of symmetry under the action of a single wheel load
of 20 kN acting over circular contact area at a pressure of 0.56 MPa should
not exceed 0.2 mm

Plate load test was conducted on the prepared subgrade. Radius of plate
used was 300 mm. Deflection for a load of 30 kN was 0.75 mm. Granular layer
was to be laid above subgrade. A test section of 150 mm thick was laid. Plate
load test was conducted on the two layer system. Deflection corresponding to
a load of 50 kN was 1.0 mm. What should be the thickness of granular layer
so that deflection criteria is satisfied

Explain the procedure adopted to solve this problem

 Two layer theory
Problem: A circular load having radius of 152 mm and uniform pressure of
0.56 MPa is applied on a two layer system as shown in Figure. The subgrade
has elastic modulus of 35 MPa and can support a maximum vertical stress of
55 kPa. If the HMA has elastic modulus of 3.45 GPa, what is the required
thickness of a full depth pavement? If a thin surface treatment is applied on
the subgrade with elastic modulus of 173 MPa, what is the thickness of base
course required?
 Two layer system-vertical surface
deflection
Solutions in the form of charts and tables are available for
the following 3 layer system
Poison’s ratio assumed to be 0.5 for all the layers
Non dimensional pavement parameters considered
2a
p
E1, μ1 H1
σz1 σr1

E2, μ2 σz2 σr2 H2

E3, μ3 σr3
 Three layer systems
Non-Diamensional parameters
K1 = E1/E2 ; k2 = E2/E3 ; A = a/h2 ; H = h1/h2
Peatte charts and Jones tables for obtaining different stress
parameters for a given combination of K1, K2, A and H
σz1 = (ZZ1) p
σz2 = (ZZ2) p
(σz1 – σr1 ) = (ZZ1-RR1)p
(σz2 – σr2 ) = (ZZ2-RR2)p
(σz2 – σr3 ) = (ZZ2-RR3)p
Five coefficients ZZ1, ZZ2, (ZZ1-RR1), (ZZ2-RR2), (ZZ2-RR3) to be
obtained from charts and tables
 Analysis of layered systems

Commercial softwares
No of softwares are available for analysis of layered
systems with different capabilities
No of layers that can be handled
Loading – Normal and shear stresses at the surface
Rough and smooth interfaces
FEM analysis for non-linear analysis of pavement
layers(especially Granular layers)