Numerical solution of rainfall infiltration beneath flexible pavement

Abstract

Water in pavement systems can lead to moisture damage and loss of strength. This study considered the simulation of water effect on the pavement and presented as perception, two rain intensities were selected (50, 80) mm/min at duration of 120 and 60 minutes, respectively. The methodology of the study consisted of three stages, first is to collect information and extracting cores second stage was testing the cores in the laboratory and the third stage was simulating the pavement using the 2-D finite element (SEEP/W 2007). The permeability of five sections was chosen at various ranges. The shape of the slopes (one way, two way) was considered, also the position of the water table at (0.5, 2, and 3) meter below the surface. Two types of cracks were taken: one sever crack that penetrates the wearing layer and the same crack penetrates the asphaltic layer. The results obtained indicted that the pavement is sensitive to the asphalt permeability, the infiltrated water inside the pavement increase by 27% when the permeability increased by 55% and water flux increased 70% when the permeability increased by 95%. Rain duration has more effect rather than its intensity.