Analysis of reflective cracking in asphalt overlaid jointed concrete airfield pavements using a 3D generalized finite element approach

ABSTRACT

Asphalt Concrete (AC) overlays are a common strategy for maintaining PCC airfield pavements. However, the movement of joints in the underlying pavement may lead to reflective cracks propagating to the overlay. The problem is highly three-dimensional resulting in mixed mode of cracks due to the aircraft gear loading configurations and underlying concrete pavement joint spacing and design. The development of a 3D model of airfield pavements to predict reflective cracking using Finite Element Method (FEM) and Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM), is presented in this study. GFEM enrichment strategy and global-local approach are used to achieve efficient framework for developing the models from both computational and user time perspective. Viscoelastic fracture analysis was performed using elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle. Sensitivity of the domain size, order of approximation and boundary conditions are investigated in the numerical simulations. It is shown that the crack initiation and propagation is a combination of Mode-I (tensile) and Mode-II (shearing) crack opening. The presented models contributes to the mechanistic empirical reflective cracking design algorithm for the FAA pavement design program.

KEYWORDS:

• Joint reflective cracking
• airfield pavement
• FEM
• GFEM
• elastic-viscoelastic correspondence principle

Acknowledgments

The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors who are responsible for the facts and the accuracy of the data presented here. The contents do not necessarily reflect the official views or policies of the FAA. This paper does not constitute a standard, specification, or regulation.

Authors contributions

The authors confirm contribution to the paper as follows: study conception and design: H. Ozer, C. A. Duarte and M. Beheshti; data collection: H. Ozer and M. Beheshti; analysis and interpretation of results: H. Ozer, C. A. Duarte, M. Beheshti, M. Bento, C. Ramos; draft manuscript preparation: M. Beheshti, H. Ozer, C. A. Duarte, and D. Brill. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Additional information

Funding

The work described in this paper was supported by the FAA Airport Technology Research and Development Branch, James Layton, Manager.