Analysis of inter-layer crack propagation and strength prediction of steel bridge deck asphalt pavement based on XFEM-CZM coupling

Abstract

Abstract The extended finite method (XFEM) is used to simulate the internal defects of the binder layer, and the cohesion model (CZM) is used to simulate the binder layer/steel plate interface and the binder layer/asphalt pavement interface, which are coupled to analyze the inter-layer type I crack expansion and interfacial debonding and delamination phenomena of the binder layer. The feasibility and accuracy of the XFEM-CZM coupling method were verified by comparing it with Virtual Crack Closure Method (VCCT), CZM, XFEM-VCCT, and experiments. A double cantilever beam experimental model was established to simulate the process of inter-ply type I cracks expanding from the inside of the bonded layer to the interface between the bonded layer and the upper and lower layers and causing debonding, to analyze the damage failure mechanism of inter-ply type I cracks in asphalt pavement of steel bridge decks, and to discuss the effects of initial crack length, interface stiffness, interface strength and bond layer thickness on the overall inter-ply bond strength performance. The results show that the inter-layer strength decreases with the increase of initial crack length, and the expansion angle increases with the increase of crack length; the interface strength, interface stiffness, and bond layer thickness have obvious influence on the inter-layer strength and less influence on the expansion path of inter-layer cracks.