COMPARISON OF CLASSICAL METHOD OF FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT ANALYSIS WITH ADVANCED NUMERICAL METHOD: A CASE STUDY OF KIBREMENGIST – SHAKISO ROAD

Abstract

Road construction industry turns in to a new dimension from classical flexible pavement analysis in to advanced numerical method. Classical method of analysis assumed pavement layers to be linearly elastic, homogeneous and isotropic but this assumption does not represent realty. Analysis should include non-linear, viscoelastic and combined structural model type. Advanced numerical method accommodate easily to change in load, traffic and temperature but it is problem to classical method in addition advance numerical method capable of examining locally available and artificially produced materials. Analysis in classical method is not precise especially when the number of layers increased. In this study advanced numerical method are applied mainly multi-layered program (KENLAYER) and finite element method (EVERE STRESS and ABAQUS) analysis compared with classical method. Analysis results show that the pavement responses and design life affected with change in structural model type used during pavement structure analysis. Under similar design period combined ( linear, non-linear and viscoelastic) advanced numerical analysis reduce total pavement thickness from 630mm to 240mm when compared with classical method used by case study project. Combined advanced numerical method of analysis decrease 11.2 % of total pavement layer cost when compared with classical and linear advanced numerical method. Analysis result leads to conclude that there is uneconomical increase in pavement thickness during classical method of analysis. Advanced numerical method is best computational tool with accuracy result and provide economic analysis output