Stress predictions for flexible pavement systems

TLDR: In this paper, a method for predicting stresses in pavements under vehicular loadings is proposed, which characterizes each pavement layer by a coefficient of lateral stress, which is similar to the commonly used coefficients of lateral earth pressure (K).

Abstract: The present study proposes a method for predicting stresses in pavements under vehicular loadings. The proposed method characterizes each pavement layer by a coefficient of lateral stress, which is similar to the commonly used coefficient of lateral earth pressure (K). Stress predictions found by the proposed method are compared with stress predictions calculated by conventional linear elastic techniques. Each conventional solution is shown to represent a special case of the more global proposed solution. Several instrumented test sections are explored to determine coefficients of lateral stress for common paving materials.