The influence of superelevated profiles of paving block structures on their load-bearing behavior

From these simulations, two different predominating structural failure mechanisms could be identified: (i) snap through buckling, for very small superelevations of the cross profile and (ii) the formation of a kinematic chain, which is initiated very fast for high superelevations. At the transition from one to the other mechanism, the highest loading capacity of a paving block structure could be numerically observed. The corresponding superelevation, for a specific road width, changes interestingly only very low with changing boundary and interaction conditions. Therefore, based on comprehensive numerical calculations, it was possible to define an optimal region of superelevation-to-road-width ratios. Moreover, a huge influence of the cross profile on the load bearing capacity of block pavement structures could be detected mechanically sound for the first time. Consideration of these effects within the design process may strongly improve the performance prediction of paving block constructions.