Evaluation on the Damage Evolution of the CRCP+AC Composite Pavement by the Concrete Dameged Plasticity Material Model

In the study on the CRCP+AC composite pavement, the form and distribution pattern of cracks are two important factors influencing the performance and the lifetime of the pavement. The concrete damaged plasticity material model incorporated in the general purpose finite element software named ABAUQS was adopted to describe the mechanical characteristics of the CRC slab. Combining with the temperature field database drawn from the three-dimensional transient heat transfer analysis, the structural damage under the condition of temperature changing is analyzed. The structural damage evolution and the crack behavior of the CRC slab subjected to the thermal-mechanical coupling condition are further analyzed, which suggests that the role of the asphalt concrete surface is not confined only to the scope of improving the performance of the road, its capacity for improving the stress state of CRCP slab is worthwhile to be affirmed. And the reasonable thickness of AC layer should be designed in consideration of the thermal contraction and damage properties of the CRC slab comprehensively.