Finite element modeling reveals interface delamination driven by shear stresses in multilayer asphalt pavements, highlighting key failure mechanisms under traffic loads.
Key Points
To investigate the propagation behavior and fracture modes of bottom-up longitudinal cracks within multilayer asphalt pavement structures subjected to moving traffic loads.
Constructed a three-dimensional finite element model using Abaqus to simulate a two-layer asphalt pavement structure under dual-wheel traffic loading.
Calculated stress intensity factors (KI, KII, KIII) across various crack lengths, layer thicknesses, and wheel load positions.
Mode II shear drives crack propagation through the lower asphalt layer, while Mode I provides no contribution and Mode III remains negligible.
Cracks deviate along the interlayer boundary rather than penetrating the upper layer, leading to delamination governed by Mode II and Mode III fracture mechanisms.
Asphalt layer thickness markedly influences stress intensity factors KI and KII while the crack propagates within the primary layer.