Three-dimensional finite-element analysis of jointed concrete pavement with discontinuities

Abstract

A research study was conducted using the finite-element code ABAQUS to investigate the effects of pavement discontinuities on the surface deflection response of a jointed plain concrete pavement-subgrade model subjected to a standard falling weight deflectometer load. A significant improvement over the multilayered linear static analysis that does not allow for any discontinuity is shown. A three-dimensional pavement-subgrade finite-element model with appropriate boundary conditions has been developed. Transverse joints with dowel bars are modeled using gap and beam elements for an uncracked section, a section with cracked concrete layer, and a section with cracked concrete and cracked cement-treated base layers.