Dynamic responses of layered poroelastic ground under moving traffic loads considering effects of pavement roughness

This study aims to investigate the dynamic responses of layered poroelastic ground underlying rough pavement subjected to traffic loads. Particular attention has been given to the roles of the pavement roughness idealized as sinusoidal waves. The vehicle is simplified as a multi-rigid-body vibration system and the pavement roughness results in dynamic traffic loads in addition to the static component due to the vehicle weight. The pavement layer is modelled as a thin Kirchhoff plate, while the underlying base and the subgrade are treated as saturated two-layered poroelastic medium obeying Biot's dynamics theory. Frequency-wavenumber domain responses of the vehicle-pavement-underlying ground are solved by Fourier integral transform, transfer matrix method and considering stress and displacement compatibility conditions at the pavement-ground interface. The corresponding time-domain solution is numerically obtained from the inverse Fourier transform. Based on this semi-analytical solution, the influences of surface roughness, vehicle velocities and mechanical properties of pavement and base materials are discussed to provide practical guideline for the design of rough pavement system. •Analytical solutions of coupled vehicle-pavement-layered ground system is developed.•Different pavement structural components such as pavement, base and subgrade are considered.•The proposed model is suitable for both flexible and rigid pavement system.•Pavement roughness and vehicle speed (especially high speed) significantly affect dynamic responses of pavement system.