Incremental Layerwise Finite Element Formulation for Viscoelastic Response of Multilayered Pavements

This paper provides an incremental layerwise finite element formulation for the viscoelastic analysis of multilayered pavements. The constitutive behavior of asphalt concrete is represented by the Prony series. Layerwise finite element has been shown to provide an efficient and accurate tool for the numerical simulation of laminated structures. Mostof the previous researches on numerical simulation of laminated structures have been limited to elastic material behavior.Thus, the current work focuses on layerwise finite element analysis of laminated structures with embeddedviscoelastic material such as pavements.A computer code based on the presented formulation has been developed to provide the numerical results. The proposed approach is verified by comparing the results to the analytical solutions, existing numerical solutions in the literature, and those obtained from the ABAQUS software, as well.Finally, and as an application of the presented formulation, the effects of time and load rate on the quasi-static structural response of asphalt concrete (AC) pavements are studied.

Keywords:

Layerwise finite element , linear viscoelastic materials , Multilayered structures , Pavements , Prony series