Multiscale Finite-Element Analysis of Damage Behavior of Curved Ramp Bridge Deck Pavement Considering Tire–Bridge Interaction Effect

AbstractThe present study developed a three-dimensional (3D) multiscale modeling approach to investigate the mesoscale damage behavior of curved ramp bridge deck pavement subjected to tire loading. First, a full-scale tire–bridge interaction finite element (FE) model was established to solve the macroscopic response of deck pavement during vehicle turning. Subsequently, the 3D mesostructure of the asphalt concrete layer was reconstructed from X-ray computer tomography (CT) images through a digital image processing (DIP) technology. Finally, a homogenization method was adopted to link the mechanical properties of deck pavement at two different scales, and a mapping procedure was employed to transfer the boundary displacements from macroscale pavement target element to the mesoscale representative volume element (RVE) model. Also, the bilinear cohesive elements were applied to simulate damage initiation in the RVEs. The results showed that smaller curvature radius and higher travel speed can promote unbalanced stress and local damage of the outer loading zone. From the mesoscale viewpoint, reducing curvature radius or increasing travel speed could result in crack direction shifts and increase the irregularity of microcrack distribution. In addition, transverse microcracks are commonly found in the center of the tire load, while longitudinal microcracks are distributed on the deck pavement surface around the tire edges and the dual-tire clearance center.