Influence of base course types on axial load diffusion performance for asphalt pavement based on measured data

Abstract

To explore the diffusion space state of axial load for asphalt pavement with different base course types, the project studied the influence of base course types on the axial load diffusion characteristics by combining the measured data with the finite element method (FEM). Firstly, pressure sensors were embedded in the base course in advance, and axial load compressive stress data of asphalt pavement with different base course types were measured and recorded. Secondly, the transfer and diffusion properties of axial load in asphalt pavement with different base course types have been theoretically analyzed and calculated by compressive stress response theory and measured compressive stress data. Finally, the details of the load transfer were further revealed by using the FEM to intuitively explain the influence of different base course types on the diffusion performance of axial loads within the pavement structure layers. It is found that different base course types lead to different diffusion performance under axial loads, and the compressive stress of semi-rigid base is smaller than that of flexible base. The variation trend of stress diffusion angle of semi-rigid base is greater than that of flexible base, and the flexible base disperses the axial load of pavement by influencing the diffusion stress angle. The study explains the influence mechanism of base course types on axial load transfer from measured data and FEM, provides a research basis for improving the performance of pavement base

Keywords

• Asphalt pavement
• Base course
• Stress diffusion angle
• Finite element method
• Diffusion performance