ABSTRACT
This paper evaluates the effect of higher axle load on service life of bituminous pavement in terms of propensity of fatigue and rutting damage in bituminous pavement. The three-dimensional finite element model of bituminous pavement was developed using ANSYS Mechanical APDL finite element software. FEM model was validated by comparing the surface deflection obtained through pavement analysis design program KENPAVE. Validated model was subjected to dynamic loading condition to obtain the pavement response under real time truck loading at varying axle loads. Critical strains attributing fatigue and rutting damage in pavement i.e. the horizontal tensile strains at the bottom of bituminous layer and vertical compressive strains at the top of sub-grade were calculated at most damaging vehicle speed. These values are incorporated in the fatigue and rutting models developed by Asphalt Institute to evaluate the service life of bituminous pavement. Effect of vehicle speed on fatigue and rutting strain in bituminous pavement were assessed through finite element model. Impact of higher axle load on service life of the pavement is quantified to frame up the policy to penalize heavy vehicle in respect to magnitude of damage caused by them in the pavement.
