Application of semi-analytical finite element method coupled with infinite element for analysis of asphalt pavement structural response

A specific computational program SAFEM was developed based on semi-analytical finite element (FE) method for analysis of asphalt pavement structural responses under static loads. The reliability and efficiency of this FE program was proved by comparison with the general commercial FE software ABAQUS. In order to further reduce the computational time without decrease of the accuracy, the infinite element was added to this program. The results of the finite-infinite element coupling analysis were compared with those of finite element analysis derived from the verified FE program. The study shows that finite-infinite element coupling analysis has higher reliability and efficiency.