Finite element analysis of overlay incorporating stress absorbing membrane interlayers against reflective cracking

Abstract

A wheel tracking test was modelled to gain better understanding of the deflection and stress-strain distribution in an overlaid cracked pavements with and without membrane interlayer (SAMI). For this purpose, commercial finite element software Abaqus 6.7-1 was used. Two different models were considered, one incorporating stress absorbing membrane interlayers (SAMIs) and the other without SAMI. In the study, full bond condition was assumed for the boundaries between the layers, and a linear elastic model was used for the analysis. The results show that introduction of SAMI caused greater deflection of the pavement. It is found that although with SAMIs, low stiffness is required, a very low stiffness may yield undesirable results. The results show that the introduction of SAMIs results in high strain concentration around the crack region, whilst the strain in the overlay is smaller than the values predicted in the models without SAMIs. © The Author (s) 2014. This article is published with open access at Springerlink.com.