Development of a Design Methodology for Geosynthetic Reinforced Pavement Using Finite Element Numerical Modeling

Abu-Farsakh, Murad Y.; Zadehmohamad, Mehdi

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Development of a Design Methodology for Geosynthetic Reinforced Pavement Using Finite Element Numerical Modeling

2025-11-01
By Abu-Farsakh, Murad Y. ; Zadehmohamad, Mehdi

File Language:

English

Details

Creators:

Abu-Farsakh, Murad Y. ; Zadehmohamad, Mehdi
Corporate Creators:

Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Corporate Contributors:

Louisiana. Department of Transportation and Development ; United States. Department of Transportation. Federal Highway Administration
Subject/TRT Terms:

Calibration Finite Element Method Geosynthetics Load Tests Pavement Design Sensitivity Analysis Simulation Subgrade (Pavements) Test Sections Traffic Loads Validation
Publication/ Report Number:

FHWA/LA.25/718
Resource Type:

Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:

United States ; Louisiana
Edition:

Final Report June 2020 - June 2025
Corporate Publisher:

Louisiana Transportation Research Center
Abstract:

This study was completed using finite element (FE) analysis to assess the benefits of using geosynthetic reinforcement in flexible pavements. A comprehensive parametric study was performed to determine the effect of different variables like asphalt layer thickness, base thickness, geosynthetic type and stiffness, and subgrade stiffness for low, medium, and high-volume traffic roads. The FE simulations were run for 100 load cycles, and the resulting permanent deformation (PD) was used to calibrate the ME rutting equation parameters for each layer. The PD data was extrapolated to determine the pavement's service life. The comparison of the PD curves of the unreinforced and reinforced sections was used to calculate the Traffic Benefit Ratios (TBR) at different rutting targets. By establishing the ratio between the calibrated rutting curves of the base and subgrade layers, the reduction coefficients for the PD equations ab and as were derived, which can be used directly in the design of geosynthetic reinforced pavements.
Format:

PDF
Funding:

20-3GT ; 1000346
Collection(s):

US Transportation Collection
Main Document Checksum:

urn:sha-512:c0c8d4655b7f14f17ecdca1086efde5e611ce2065cd5804a83c1ee759a796fc81abfd55ba38d18b41278ec271a1773f224a87c9944d47a7270e952bab157d459
Download URL:

https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/88171/dot_88171_DS1.pdf
File Type:

[PDF - 5.42 MB ]

File Language:

English

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