Comparing rutting of airfield pavements to simulations using Pavement Analysis Using Nonlinear Damage Approach (PANDA)

Abstract

This study presents the rutting performance results of full-scale pavement test sections subjected to F-15E and C-17 aircraft wheels at two different temperatures. Pavement structures for the tests were constructed under shelter in the U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center's (ERDC) pavement test facility. The full-scale test results are used to validate viscoelastic, viscoplastic and hardening-relaxation constitutive relationships implemented in the Pavement Analysis Using Nonlinear Damage Approach (PANDA) model. PANDA is a mechanistic-based model which incorporates nonlinear viscoelastic, viscoplastic, hardening-relaxation, viscodamage, moisture-induced damage and ageing constitutive relationships. Results of dynamic modulus and different repeated creep-recovery laboratory tests are analysed to extract the parameters associated with viscoelastic, viscoplastic and hardening-relaxation constitutive relationships implemented in PANDA. Once calibrated, PANDA is used to predict the rutting performance observed in full-scale pavement test sections. The simulation results illustrate that PANDA is capable of predicting the rutting of airfield pavements subjected to heavy aircraft wheel loads at intermediate and high temperatures. It is shown that PANDA successfully predicts the effect of shear flow and upheaval at the edges of the wheel. The data from simulation suggested that PANDA, once calibrated, can provide insight into the critical locations of tensile and compressive stresses within the pavement structure. PANDA simulations not only provide a tool for evaluating existing structures, but also can be used in designing more sustainable pavement structures and materials.

Keywords:

• constitutive relationships
• viscoplastic
• nonlinear viscoelastic
• full-scale accelerated pavement testing
• asphalt modelling
• finite element modelling
• rutting

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

^1. Email: [email protected]

^2. Email: [email protected]

^3. Email: [email protected]

Additional information

Funding

The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the U.S. Air Force Civil Engineer Center for the full-scale accelerated pavement testing. Permission to publish was granted by the Director, Geotechnical and Structures Laboratory, U.S. Army Engineer Research and Development Center.