Stresses and strains in pavements : non-uniform three-dimensional stress distributions in the tire pavement interface

Research was carried out as a result of indications that surface distress in asphalt pavements is caused by non-uniformly distributed horizontal and vertical stresses in the tyre / pavement interface. To get more information on this subject and to estimate the threat to the pavement life, a literature survey was conducted. Moreover, calculations were made using a simplified non-uniform load model (maximum 10 superposed circular loads) in the linear-elastic multilayer program BISAR. The study focussed on radial truck tyres. The analysis was directed to the critical cross-section under the tyre centre. Parameters influencing the stress distributions that were investigated, included load size, inflation pressure, speed, and contact area. The model calculations show that tensile stresses and strains always occur at the surface adjacent to the tyre. These stresses and strains can reach magnitudes that diminish the pavement life.