Numerical Analysis of a New Test Method for Evaluating the Mechanics Characteristics of Steel Deck Pavement

Abstract

In order to utilize Overlay Tester to evaluate the crack resistance of Hot Mixture Asphalt (HMA) of steel deck pavement, three-dimensional finite element (FE) models of local steel deck pavement, composite beam and Overlay Tester specimen were established by Abaqus Software. The results show that the characteristic tensile stress in three FE models are similar, and the tensile stress of composite beam’s steel plate is much larger than that of composite beam’s HMA layer, hence the steel plate undergoes the major external force in the composite beam fatigue test, while the HMA layer seems not to be tested. To reduce this problem, FE models of Overlay Tester in three different displacements: 0.63mm, 0.063mm and 0.01mm, were analyzed. The results indicate that the stress in the 0.63mm displacement condition is much larger so that the asphalt mixture will be broken, and the stress in the 0.01mm displacement condition is similar to that of local steel deck pavement. In consideration of testing cycles and other factors, the 0.063mm displacement is recommended to test the HMA of steel deck pavement.