Analysis of Dynamic Response of Asphalt Pavement in Heavy Vehicle Simulator Tests

In order to analyze the dynamic response of asphalt pavement, heavy vehicle simulator (HVS) was used to test with variables of axle load, speed, and temperature on five full-scale test sections with different structures. Pre-embedded strain sensors and pressure cells were used to measure the strain response at the bottom of the surface layer and the vertical stress at the top of the subgrade under wheel load. The results of tests show that the tensile strain at the bottom of surface layer of semi-rigid base asphalt pavement and rigid base asphalt pavement is small. The vertical stress at the top of the subgrade has a good positive exponential relationship with axle load. The maximum tensile strain at the bottom of surface layer gradually decreases with speed and increases with temperature. The tensile strain at the bottom of surface layer of flexible base asphalt pavement is affected by the speed most significantly. The increase rate of strain increases with temperature, which demonstrates the temperature has significant effects on the mechanical properties of the asphalt pavement. Based on the results of HVS tests, a prediction model of tensile strain at the bottom of the surface layer was established. Therefore, this paper could contribute to deepening the understanding of the dynamic response characteristics of asphalt pavement and improving the design of pavement structure.