Finite element analysis of ports pavement under container loading

Abstract

Purpose

In many coastal areas where there are problematic soils, pavement construction on the soil is difficult because of the low shear strength and high consolidated. Also, given that the container terminals constitute more than 70% of the port area and as pavement in these areas is subject to heavy loads due to the long-term container storage, wheels of transport and movement equipment, the pavement must tolerate a distributed loading of at least 4 ton/m² in accordance with the type and weight of the containers imposed on the pavement. This study aims to investigate a variety of common pavement designs in coastal areas of southern Iran. The pavement type and characteristics of the subgrade layers are the same for each port; the thickness of different pavement layers is designed.

Design/methodology/approach

Due to problematic soil in the pavement subgrade, heavy and long-term container loading and the associated equipment, port pavement enjoys great importance.

Findings

The designed pavements are modeled by ABAQUS finite element software. The pavements are subject to a static load imposed by the corner casting container and resulted a distributed load 4 tons/m². The results from data analysis show that the concrete block pavements influenced by the containers static loads of 3%–20% have less vertical displacement on the subgrade than other pavements (rigid and flexible).

Originality/value

This paper is modeling 3 port pavement in Iran. Based on field evaluation and simulation actual loading on pavement.

Citation

Hasheminasab, S. and Kashi, E. (2021), "Finite element analysis of ports pavement under container loading", Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, Vol. 19 No. 2, pp. 497-508. https://doi.org/10.1108/JEDT-07-2020-0301