Stress Analysis of Hollow Slab Bridge Deck Pavement

Abstract

The asphalt-concrete pavement is an essential component of the bridge deck. Its stress characteristics are different from the general pavement structure. This research employs finite element technology (ANSYS) to model a three-span bridge and pavement layer in order to ascertain the stress distribution and provide a deeper knowledge of the mechanical properties of the pavement layer on concrete bridge decks. The effects of varying the thickness and stiffness of the deck pavement on the stress distribution in its different layers were investigated. Stress absorption is increased as the stiffness of the deck layers increases, and with increases in pavement thickness, stress on pavement layers decreases. The response of deck pavement under moving load, both under full bonding and sliding conditions, was simulated to determine stress distribution. By comparing the response under the full bonding and sliding conditions, it was found that stress induced on layers during sliding is high as compared to the full bonding condition; pavement layers will be prone to failure if sliding occurs between layers.