Analytical solution for the mechanical responses of transversely isotropic viscoelastic multi-layered asphalt pavement subjected to moving harmonic load

This work aims to develop a wave propagation-based analytical solution that can be effectively used for calculating the mechanical responses of transversely isotropic viscoelastic multi-layered asphalt pavement subjected to moving harmonic load. The material property can be considered transversely isotropic viscoelastic during the analytical solving. The interlayer conditions with different bonding levels are described by the Goodman model. The moving harmonic load is exerted on the surface of the multi-layered medium. The detailed implementation of the mathematical derivation (i.e., integral transforms, formulation of up-coming and down-going wave vectors) and the numerical program for the mechanical responses are presented. The proposed analytical solution is verified by finite element simulation and exhibits computational efficiency and accuracy. In addition, the effects of the load and material parameters on the mechanical responses of the multi-layered medium are investigated. Furthermore, the proposed analytical solution is extended to the study of tire–pavement interaction under random unevenness, and the random mechanical responses of the pavement under moving load with random amplitudes are obtained. In conclusion, the proposed analytical solution can be used as an effective tool for asphalt pavement design and analysis with consideration of the realistic load and material parameters. •Analytical solution for the mechanical responses of transversely isotropic viscoelastic multi-layered medium was derived.•The proposed approach was validated by the finite element simulation and exhibits computational efficiency and accuracy.•The effects of the load and material parameters were investigated comprehensively.•The proposed analytical solution was extended to the study of tire-pavement interaction under random unevenness.