Modeling of rutting in asphalt flexible pavement

This paper presents a finite element analysis modeling of rutting. The behaviors of the asphalt concrete is described using an elasto-viscoplastic constitutive relation, while an elastoplastic constitutive relation is used for the lower layers. The model allows taking into consideration the influence of both the loading period and the temperature. The numerical model is validated on accelerated pavement tests realized at LAVOC laboratory. Results show that rutting increases with the increase in the contact pressure and in axle load with a dominant role for the axle load. Wheels wander significantly affects the development and profile of rutting. Rutting due to the asphalt layer is generally accompanied by a pavement uplift.