ABSTRACT
In this research, a 3-D FEM model of a flexible pavement section was used to analyze the effect of the tire inflation pressure and load frequency on different pavement responses. The model was validated using data obtained in test tracks of an Accelerated Pavement Testing Facility (Pavelab, LanammeUCR) at the University of Costa Rica. Different actual loading conditions were measured using a contact pressure sensor and a Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS), to include the mapped pressures in the FEM model. Lastly, a parametric study with multiple loading scenarios was performed. Results show that higher pavement response values were obtained with higher tire pressures, in contrast, with higher load frequencies lower pavement response values were obtained. Increments of 14.62% to 67.4% were observed by changes in the load frequency, and increments between 5.1% and 10.87% were observed by changes in the inflation pressure.
