Utilization of Finite Element Analysis towards the Evaluation of the Structural Capacity of Flexible Pavements

Deflection measuring nondestructive testing (NDT) technologies are often employed for assessing the structural capacity and conditions of pavement structures. Falling weight deflectometer (FWD) has been the primary device in most of the transportation agencies throughout the world to capture the shape of the deflection bowls. Traffic disturbances at the test site, as well as excessive time consumption, are the well-known demerits of FWD tests. Therefore, limiting the extensive amount of FWD tests required at the network level, this study proposes and describes the finite element procedure in simulating the deflection obtained from various pavement sections. Thirty-five pavement sections from the states of Arkansas, Louisiana, New Mexico, Oklahoma, and Texas are utilized in the study for the simulation, analysis, and verification of FWD testing. The obtained simulated deflection values under the whole deflection bowls are then utilized in the generation of deflection-based parameters to judge the structural conditions of pavement structures. Eventually, a basis for categorization chart is proposed representing the developed parameters and pavement distress conditions, which could assist various highway agencies and officials in making more suitable decisions concerning pavement rehabilitation and maintenance.