Analysis of pavements using the finite element method

The capability to analyze pavement structures using a computer model is an economic and time-saving resource that is important to have available in the design of road systems. The finite element method of analysis lends itself to this application very easily. A finite element analysis code which was modified to incorporate the material models describing materials used in the manufacture of pavement structures is presented. The code is incremental, iterative, and nonlinear in nature. Comparison of results from the code developed in this study and sample problems chosen from open literature produced excellent agreement. It was concluded from this study that the modified code works well in analyzing pavement structures and would be a useful tool in the design of transportation systems.