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Article
Publication date: 24 September 2020

Sajad Hasheminasab and Ehsan Kashi

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…

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.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 19 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 21 June 2019

Amit Srivastava, Dharmendra Kumar Srivastava and Anil Kumar Misra

The present study aims to demonstrate the performance assessment of flexible pavement structure in probabilistic framework with due consideration of spatial variability modeling…

Abstract

Purpose

The present study aims to demonstrate the performance assessment of flexible pavement structure in probabilistic framework with due consideration of spatial variability modeling of input parameter.

Design/methodology/approach

The analysis incorporates mechanistic–empirical approach in which numerical analysis with spatial variability modeling of input parameters, Monte Carlo simulations (MCS) and First Order Reliability Method (FORM) are combined together for the reliability analysis of the flexible pavement. Random field concept along with Cholesky decomposition technique is used for the spatial variability modeling of the input parameter and implemented in commercially available finite difference code FLAC for the numerical analysis of pavement structure.

Findings

Results of the reliability analysis, with spatial variability modeling of input parameter, are compared with the corresponding results obtained without considering spatial variability of parameters. Analyzing a particular three-layered flexible pavement structure, it is demonstrated that spatial variability modeling of input parameter provides more realistic treatment to property variations in space and influences the response of the pavement structure, as well as its performance assessment.

Originality/value

Research is based on reliability analysis approach, which can also be used in decision-making for quality control and flexible pavement design in a given environment of uncertainty and extent of spatially varying input parameters in a space.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 17 no. 6
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 3 May 2016

Gholam Ali Shafabakhsh, Ehsan Kashi and Abbas Akbari

This paper aims to apply a pavement design by LEDFAA for a sample airport, and design results involving layer thickness, modulus and cumulative damage factor (CDF) achieved are…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to apply a pavement design by LEDFAA for a sample airport, and design results involving layer thickness, modulus and cumulative damage factor (CDF) achieved are shown in figures.

Design/methodology/approach

Finite element (FE) simulation is applied for sample airport pavement and based on results involving stress and strain, CDF amount is shown by using related equations. To analyze the accuracy of modeling, a comparison has been made between the values of ABAQUS and case study results at Denver International Airport (DIA).

Findings

The present study includes a comparison between the two conventional methods for runway pavement design. There is linear relation between layered elastic design (LED) and FE method results, so CDF rate achieved by the FE method is always smaller than the LED method. To assess the accuracy of the applied modeling with ABAQUS software, the validation was done using the deformations under the concrete slabs of DIA. The results are compatible with the results acquired from the case study, and the high accuracy of modeling was approved. This research shows that B-777 on rigid pavements and A-340-500/600 on flexible pavements have the most CDF contribution, among other aircrafts. Also, CDF rate for any aircraft in the LED method is higher than the FE method.

Originality/value

To assess the accuracy of the applied modeling with ABAQUS software, the validation was done using the deformations under the concrete slabs of DIA. The results are compatible with the results acquired from the case study, and the high accuracy of modeling was approved.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 14 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 12 June 2017

Rudi van Staden and Sam Fragomeni

This research aims to use the finite element method to examine critical distress modes in the pavement layers due to changes in the structural properties brought upon by fire…

Abstract

Purpose

This research aims to use the finite element method to examine critical distress modes in the pavement layers due to changes in the structural properties brought upon by fire damage.

Design/methodology/approach

A full dynamic analysis is performed to replicate heavy vehicle axle wheel loads travelling over a pavement section.

Findings

Results show a 72 per cent decrease in the number of load repetitions which a fire-damaged pavement can experience before fatigue cracking of the asphalt. Further, there is a 51 per cent decrease in loading cycles of the subgrade before rutting of the fire-damaged system.

Originality/value

Fatigue of asphalt and deformation of subgrade from repeated vehicular loading are the most common failure mechanisms, and major attributors to pavement maintenance and rehabilitation costs. Pavement analysis has always been concentrated on evaluating deterioration under regularly occurring operational conditions. However, the impact of one-off events, such as vehicle petroleum fires, has not been evaluated for the effects on deterioration.

Details

Journal of Structural Fire Engineering, vol. 8 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 2040-2317

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 27 March 2009

Helen E. Muga, Amlan Mukherjee, James R. Mihelcic and Melanie J. Kueber

This paper aims to provide an integrated framework of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for assessing alternative technologies, processes, and/or…

Abstract

Purpose

This paper aims to provide an integrated framework of life cycle assessment (LCA) and life cycle cost analysis (LCCA) for assessing alternative technologies, processes, and/or activities, with focus on concrete pavements.

Design/methodology/approach

LCA and LCCA are used to evaluate environmental and economic impacts of substituting different percentages of fly ash and slag into continuously reinforced concrete pavement (CRCP) and jointed plane concrete pavement (JPCP). Impacts are determined over different life cycle phases.

Findings

An LCA of the extraction phase indicated that JPCP pavement had 33‐62 percent less emissions than CRCP pavements, when only steel consumption was considered. When cement was considered, JPCP pavement had almost 40 percent greater emissions then CRCP for all mix types. An LCCA showed that over the entire life cycle phases studied, CRCP pavements had about 46 percent more costs than JPCP. However, when only maintenance costs were considered, CRCP pavement cost 80 percent less to maintain than JPCP over the studied period of 35 years.

Originality/value

The study is a step towards using an integrated framework to evaluate the performance of different materials and technology. The same framework could be conducted for different kinds of asphalt pavements and concrete pavements, as well as other infrastructure that makes up the built environment, with the goal of making decisions that take into account design considerations, environmental impacts, and cost effectiveness.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology, vol. 7 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 August 2021

Tengjiang Yu, Haitao Zhang, Junfeng Sun, Yabo Wang, Shuang Huang and Dan Chen

Using typical structure of asphalt pavement in Harbin area of China, and the formula of generalized friction coefficient between base and surface layers of asphalt pavement in…

Abstract

Purpose

Using typical structure of asphalt pavement in Harbin area of China, and the formula of generalized friction coefficient between base and surface layers of asphalt pavement in cold area is established.

Design/methodology/approach

Through structural characteristics analysis of asphalt pavement in cold area, the generalized formula of friction coefficient between base and surface layers of asphalt pavement in cold area is derived. The formula can quickly calculate the friction coefficient between layers of asphalt pavement.

Findings

Based on quantitative analysis to the contacting state between layers of asphalt pavement in cold area, the relationships between generalized friction coefficient and resilient modulus of asphalt mixtures, temperature shrinkage coefficient and temperature have been established.

Originality/value

The findings can enrich the description methods about the contacting state between layers of asphalt pavement, and have a certain theoretical and practical value. Through the application of the formula of generalized friction coefficient between layers, it can provide a technical basis for the asphalt pavement design, construction and maintenance in cold area.

Details

Journal of Engineering, Design and Technology , vol. 21 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1726-0531

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 2 January 2024

Xu Li, Zeyu Xiao, Zhenguo Zhao, Junfeng Sun and Shiyuan Liu

To explore the economical and reasonable semi-rigid permeable base layer ratio, solve the problems caused by rainwater washing over the pavement base layer on the slope, improve…

Abstract

Purpose

To explore the economical and reasonable semi-rigid permeable base layer ratio, solve the problems caused by rainwater washing over the pavement base layer on the slope, improve its drainage function, improve the water stability and service life of the roadbed pavement and promote the application of semi-rigid permeable base layer materials in the construction of asphalt pavement in cold regions.

Design/methodology/approach

In this study, three semi-rigid base course materials were designed, the mechanical strength and drainage properties were tested and the effect and correlation of air voids on their performance indexes were analyzed.

Findings

It was found that increasing the cement content increased the strength but reduced the air voids and water permeability coefficient. The permeability performance of the sandless material was superior to the dense; the performance of the two sandless materials was basically the same when the cement content was 7%. Overall, the skeleton void (sand-containing) type gradation between the sandless and dense types is more suitable as permeable semi-rigid base material; its gradation is relatively continuous, with cement content? 4.5%, strength? 1.5 MPa, water permeability coefficient? 0.8 cm/s and voids of 18–20%.

Originality/value

The study of permeable semi-rigid base material with large air voids could help to solve the problems of water damage and freeze-thaw damage of the base layer of asphalt pavements in cold regions and ensure the comfort and durability of asphalt pavements while having good economic and social benefits.

Details

International Journal of Structural Integrity, vol. 15 no. 1
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 1757-9864

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 30 December 2020

Mohamed Marzouk and Mohamed Moustafa Ashmawy

Highways are one of the most critical infrastructure projects with strategic impact on the countries’ development. Asphalt has been historically the main pavement material used in…

Abstract

Purpose

Highways are one of the most critical infrastructure projects with strategic impact on the countries’ development. Asphalt has been historically the main pavement material used in all highway projects, especially in Egypt. However, with the booming in concrete technology in the past two decades, concrete has become a strong rival to asphalt, especially in highway applications. Several factors impact the decision-making criteria for any highway, which differ according to the priorities and requirements of each decision-maker and the nature of the project.

Design/methodology/approach

This research focuses on studying and analyzing the different factors that impact the decision for selecting the material type for highways in Egypt’s pavement construction industry. The outputs of the analysis are then incorporated into a multi-decision-making tool to assess the optimum solution as per the priorities of the decision-maker. A holistic framework is developed to compare asphalt and concrete pavements solutions considering; initial cost, maintenance cost on the life cycle, construction duration, embodied energy and fuel consumption. The data collection on local highways was performed through interviewing and surveying experts in the consulting, contracting and building materials fields (total of 15 respondents).

Findings

A multi-decision-making tool developed using the superiority and inferiority ranking method for selecting the best alternate. To illustrate the practicality of the proposed framework, a case study for assessment and validation has been done on Sokhna–Quarries highway in Egypt. The framework results reveal that despite a lower initial cost and faster construction of asphalt, concrete pavement is more cost-efficient on the lifecycle time. The multi-decision-making model indicates that concrete is a better alternate for highway applications given the cost, time and energy factors considered.

Originality/value

The proposed model takes into consideration the important parameters in selecting the type of pavement to be constructed considering two alternates asphalt and concrete.

Article
Publication date: 15 June 2021

Qianyun Zhang, Julie M. Vandenbossche and Amir H. Alavi

Unbonded concrete overlays (UBOLs) are commonly used in pavement rehabilitation. The current models included in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide cannot properly…

Abstract

Purpose

Unbonded concrete overlays (UBOLs) are commonly used in pavement rehabilitation. The current models included in the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide cannot properly predict the structural response of UBOLs. In this paper, a multigene genetic programming (MGGP) approach is proposed to derive new prediction models for the UBOLs response to temperature loading.

Design/methodology/approach

MGGP is a promising variant of evolutionary computation capable of developing highly nonlinear explicit models for characterizing complex engineering problems. The proposed UBOL response models are formulated in terms of several influencing parameters including joint spacing, radius of relative stiffness, temperature gradient and adjusted load/pavement weight ratio. Furthermore, linear regression models are developed to benchmark the MGGP models.

Findings

The derived design equations accurately characterize the UBOLs response under temperature loading and remarkably outperform the regression models. The conducted parametric analysis implies the efficiency of the MGGP-based model in capturing the underlying physical behavior of the UBOLs response to temperature loading. Based on the results, the proposed models can be reliably deployed for design purposes.

Originality/value

A challenge in the design of UBOLs is that their interlayer effects have not been directly considered in previous design procedures. To achieve better performance predictions, it is necessary to capture the effect of the interlayer in the design process. This study addresses this important issue via developing new models that can efficiently account for the effects of interlayer on the stress and deflections. In addition, it provides an insight into the effect of several parameters influencing the deflections of the UBOLs. From a computing perspective, a powerful evolutionary computation technique is introduced that overcomes the shortcomings of existing machine learning methods.

Details

Engineering Computations, vol. 39 no. 2
Type: Research Article
ISSN: 0264-4401

Keywords

Article
Publication date: 22 February 2022

U. Siva Rama Krishna and Naga Satish Kumar Ch

The ultra-thin white topping (UTW) is a cement concrete overlay of the thickness of 50–100 mm on bituminous concrete pavements with surface failures. This is a long-lasting…

Abstract

Purpose

The ultra-thin white topping (UTW) is a cement concrete overlay of the thickness of 50–100 mm on bituminous concrete pavements with surface failures. This is a long-lasting solution without having short-term failures. This paper aims to design an ultra-thin cement concrete overlay using a developed critical stress model with sustainable concrete materials for low-volume roads.

Design/methodology/approach

In this research paper, a parametric study was conducted using the ultra-thin concrete overlay finite element model developed with ANSYS software, considering the significant parameters affecting the performance and development. The non-linear regression equation was formed using a damped least-squares method to predict critical stress due to the corner load of 51 kN.

Findings

The parametric study results indicate that with a greater elastic modulus of bituminous concrete, granular layer along with 100 mm thickness of concrete layer reduces the critical corner stress, interface shear stress in a significant way responsible for debonding of concrete overlay, elastic strains in the pavement further the concrete overlay can bear infinite load repetitions. From validation, it is understood that the non-linear regression equation developed is acceptable with similar research work done.

Originality/value

From the semi-scale experimental study, it is observed that the quaternary blended sustainable concrete overlay having a high modulus of rupture of 6.34 MPa is competent with conventional cement concrete overlay in terms of failure load. So, concrete overlay with sustainable materials of 100 mm thickness and higher elastic modulus of the layers can perform in a sustainable way meeting the environmental and long-term performance requirements.

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