Static Analysis of Rigid Airfield Pavement Using Finite Element Method Vs Closed-Form Solution

In addition to the geometry of runway design, a good runway should also meet the structural requirements. In this way, the analysis and design of pavement slabs need to be given more attention. The study looks at the static analysis of a 3D-modeled concrete slab resting on a subgrade foundation that is a homogeneous, isotropic elastic half-space model. This is done so that the effect of a change in Young's modulus can be compared to Winkler's reaction modulus. ANSYS's finite element software, which models the slab as a 3D element with 8 nodes and a solid 185-element type, is used to estimate the combined stresses caused by the weight of the plane and the temperature difference. Conventional slab analysis is done using modified Westergaard's allowable stress method and Eisenmann's method (warping stresses). This is because the two aircraft on the slab have different structural parameters, like the concrete's elasticity modulus, slab thickness, and temperature gradients. From both the outside and inside landing gear loading positions, the maximum values of bending tensile stress were found to go up a lot as the elastic modulus and compressive strength of concrete went up, but they went down at the same time as the thickness of the pavement slab went up. When both + and - temperature gradients were measured on the slab, the corner moved more than the centre. When it comes to stress, a positive curling temperature gradient is worse than a negative curling temperature gradient.