3D FE analysis of flexible pavement with geosynthetic reinforcement

A series of finite element (FE) simulations are carried out to evaluate the benefits of integrating a high modulus geosynthetic into the pavement foundation. The simulations are conducted under a parametric study to investigate the beneficial effects of geosynthetic reinforcement to the fatigue and rutting strain criteria, and to determine how such effects are influenced by the base quality and thickness as well as the subgrade quality. Three locations of the geosynthetic reinforcement are studied, namely the base-asphalt concrete interface, the base-subgrade interface, and inside the base layer at a height of 1/3 of its thickness from the bottom. It is found that placing the geosynthetic reinforcement at the base-asphalt concrete interface leads to the highest reduction of the fatigue strain (46-48%). The placement of geosynthetic reinforcement in thin bases is particularly effective; the highest decrease of rutting strain (16-34%) occurs when the reinforcement is placed at a height of 1/3 of the base thickness from the bottom. The study is carried out with the finite element program ADINA using a three-dimensional (3D) dynamic modeling technique with implicit solution scheme.