FURI | Summer 2020

Three-Dimensional Fracture Analysis of Viscoelastic Pavement Materials Using the Generalized Finite Element Method

Pavements are among the key transportation infrastructures that department of transportation agencies spare a significant part of their budget to build and maintain. There is a need to better understand cracking in asphalt mixes used in majority of pavements. The Generalized Finite Element Method (GFEM), provides a computationally efficient platform for simulation and solution of cracking for such complex problems. This report assesses the validity of GFEM’s solution for a benchmark elastic case of the semi-circular bending (SCB) fracture experiment that can be used to predict cracking in asphalt materials. The results showed close comparison with the existing elastic benchmark solution.