Finite Element Analysis of Nonlinear Elastic Behavior of Unbound Aggregate Materials Under Repeated Loading

Haohang Huang, Jiayi Luo, Issam I.A. Qamhia, Erol Tutumluer, Jeb S. Tingle, Carlos R. Gonzalez

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contribution

Abstract

During the analysis and design of flexible pavements, the nonlinear elastic behavior of unbound aggregate layers and subgrade soils is a crucial component for establishing proper material characterization. This paper presents a validation case study regarding the nonlinear elastic behavior of unbound aggregate specimens in repeated load triaxial testing. An advanced triaxial testing framework, the University of Illinois FastCell (UI-FastCell), was selected for this study considering its capability to conduct cycled independent stress from both axial and radial directions. In total, ten unbound aggregate materials were tested in the laboratory under varying repeated loading conditions. A newly developed 2D axisymmetric finite element method (FEM)-based analytical tool was used to simulate the nonlinear elastic behavior based on a secant modulus iteration scheme. A comparison of the resilient stress–strain curves between the experimental and simulation results showed good agreement. Based on the findings of this study, the advanced characterization of material nonlinearity was shown to be both necessary and practical by utilizing FEM-based analytical solutions for flexible pavements.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Title of host publicationAdvances in Transportation Geotechnics IV - Proceedings of the 4th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics
EditorsErol Tutumluer, Soheil Nazarian, Imad Al-Qadi, Issam I.A. Qamhia
PublisherSpringer
Pages253-264
Number of pages12
ISBN (Print)9783030772291
DOIs
StatePublished - 2022
Event4th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics, ICTG 2021 - Chicago, United States
Duration: May 23 2021May 26 2021

Publication series

NameLecture Notes in Civil Engineering
Volume164
ISSN (Print)2366-2557
ISSN (Electronic)2366-2565

Conference

Conference4th International Conference on Transportation Geotechnics, ICTG 2021
Country/TerritoryUnited States
CityChicago
Period5/23/215/26/21

Keywords

  • Aggregates
  • Finite element method
  • Nonlinear elasticity
  • Numerical analysis
  • Repeated load triaxial testing

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Civil and Structural Engineering

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