Numerical analysis and conversion of dynamic and static deflection of asphalt pavement under FWD loading

During the falling weight deflectometer (FWD) evaluation, only calculating the acceptance deflection by adopting the layered elastic system theory has its limitations. In this paper, a three-dimensional finite element method was adopted to carry out the dynamic simulation analysis of typical asphalt pavement structures under FWD test. As a result, a dynamic deflection calculation model of asphalt pavement under FWD loading was established as well as the calculating method, in which a layered elastic system theory is adopted for calculations on the basis of the dynamic-static deflection ratio. Furthermore, an equivalent conversion method of asphalt pavement was proposed based on the deflection equivalent principle. Last, the applicability of the method was examined by comparing the FWD results of the pavement sections tested on-site. The method proposed in this paper to calculate the dynamic deflection of asphalt pavement is critical for the quality acceptance of asphalt pavement construction, modulus back calculation, and asphalt pavement design.