Dynamic response analysis of road-bridge transition section without slab

The objective of this research is to investigate the pavement response of road-bridge transition section without slab under impact load caused by vehicle bumping. The three-dimensional (3D) finite element models (FEM) of road-bridge transition section without slab were developed to simulate the response under impact load. The influence of different parameters (damping ratio, step height, vehicle speed as well as axle load) on the pavement response was investigated. Results indicated that an obvious increase of pavement response was observed with the step height and axle load rising. On the contrary, the rise of vehicle speed and damping ratio led to the decrease of pavement response. In addition, the pavement under impact load exhibited larger response as compared to under static load. Therefore, the phenomenon that static load was considered only in the traditional pavement structure is defective. Finally, the correction coefficients of design index for highway asphalt pavement were proposed to consider the influence of impact load.