Finite Element Modeling of Direct Transition from Concrete Pavement to Asphalt Pavement

Abstract

The origin of premature distress in direct transitions from Portland cement concrete pavement (PCCP) to asphalt concrete pavement (ACP) constructed as part of TransMilenio pavement repairs has not been investigated and the related literature is limited, therefore, a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model was used to determine the mechanical responses of a direct ACP-PCCP transition under moving vehicular loading in order to identify failure mechanisms. In this sense, a PCCP model was validated with a falling-weight deflectometer (FWD) test, field measurements, and analytical solutions, then a concrete slab (CS) was replaced with flowable fill and asphalt concrete (AC) to create the direct ACP-PCCP transition. The direct transition model considered: 1) the viscoelastic nature of the AC; 2) non-uniform tire-pavement contact pressure; and 3) the bonding variation of the AC-concrete interface of the transition joint using different coefficients of friction (COF) and the Coulomb-type friction model. The results showed 1) relatively high near-surface shear strain of the AC, primarily at the joint and extending 122 mm from the joint; 2) relatively high compressive vertical strain on the subgrade top; and 3) high vertical differential displacement of the joint surface. It is concluded that the AC may prematurely experience near-surface cracking at the vicinity of the joint and rutting from the subgrade, however, increasing the AC-concrete interface bonding may be conservative for fatigue cracking and vertical differential displacement.