FEM Analysis On The AC Layer Of Three Types Of Typical Structures

All top layers of asphalt pavement, AC+RCC pavement and bridge deck are asphalt concrete layer (shorted for AC layer). The AC layer, which is exposed to the environment for a long time and bearing vehicle load and temperature effects, is the structural layer and protecting layer. Proper design of the AC layer will provide enough bearing capability, and improve the durability of the AC layer. However, when designing pavement structures and bridge structures, the AC layer is usually treated as a subsidiary layer. Generally, there is not special calculation and analysis about it. At the same time, current design code also just gives guiding statement for thickness and construction method, and there is no design theory and design index to follow.For the reasons given above, this paper, based on FEM, use ANSYS software to analyze the stress response on the AC layer of three types of structures, which is bearing load and temperature. At the same time, this paper researches sensitivity of some parameters in order to infer some regular conclusions. When analyzing structures in this paper, the AC layer is treated as 2 to 3 layers, which have different thickness and material properties, and it will be in line with the actual situation. Then, this paper analyzes every layer respectively and deeply. The material properties and boundary conditions of other layers are treated as factors of the AC layer.The analysis shows that the load stress of three types of structures has great difference. There also have great difference on sensitivity of some parameters. Therefore, under the influence of vehicle load, whether the design experience of one structure can be used for the others dependent on specific design index and specific position. However, under the influence of temperature, the design experience of one structure can be used for the others, because one temperature field of AC layer is similar to the others, and so is sensitivity of parameters.This paper also infers some other conclusions, which can provide design and construction of AC layer with some reference.