Finite element analysis of stress distribution on bituminous pavement and failure mechanism

This paper examines theoretically the possible mechanism of stress distribution on bituminous pavement layers using finite element method, the effects of a uniform vertical and horizontal pressure, hence stress spreading principles between tyre and pavement layers. The pavement modelling consists of a wearing, base course, granular sub-base and sub-grade. In the load application procedure, a dual wheel with the standard pressure was chosen. Results indicate that compressive and tensile stress is reaching a considerable value between wheels, where fatigue initiation may start from top and bottom of the layers accruing maximum stress. Although the vertical stress is effective within all the pavement layers, horizontal stress is only effective on wearing and base course, which is the main cause of fatigue related pavement failures.