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ABSTRACT
A two-dimensional model has been developed to investigate the dynamic response of pavement–embankment–subsoil system considering the rise of water table. The ground consists of pavement, embankment, topsoil, saturated soil under the natural water table and semi-infinite substratum. Above the natural water table, the material is assumed to be dry and viscoelastic. Below the natural water table, the soil is saturated and modelled as poroviscoelasitc material. The semi-infinite substratum is assumed to be water-resistant and taken as a viscoelastic half-space. When the water table rises, the submerged part is then saturated and taken as poroviscoelastic medium. Biot’s theory and Fourier transform are employed to describe the problem, and some improvements are made based on traditional stiffness matrix method to give semi-analytical solution to the problem. The solution has been verified using a simplified problem reported by existing research. The influences of load characteristics and rise of water table are investigated. Resonance load frequency exists, at which the maximum surface vertical displacement of the pavement reaches its largest value. The rise of water table decreases the resonance frequency and generally increases the maximum surface vertical displacement of the pavement. The pore water pressure and pore water velocity are also substantially affected by the rise of water table. In general, the rise of water table has an amplifying effect on the vibration of the pavement system and increases the damage risk, which needs to be considered in the design and maintenance of highways.