Mechanical responses of thin-layer asphalt concrete utilized in bridge deck pavement

Thin-layer asphalt concrete was paved on cement concrete bridge, finite element analysis software ABAQUS was utilized to build the 3D models of box girder bridge and flanged girder bridge respectively, and the mechanical responses of pavementes with different thicknesses under traffic and thermal loads were analyzed.In addition, the effect of pavement gravity on bridge structure was studied.The result indicates that the maximum vertical shear stresses in box girder bridge and flanged girder bridge increase by about 72% and 40% respectively under vehicle load when pavement thickness increases from 4 cm to 12 cm.Thus, the possibility of the rutting occurrence decreases because of the application of thin-layer pavement.The influence of pavement thickness on the tensile stress is not obvious under thermal load, and each mechanical index is at the similar level.Under the gravity of pavement, the maximum Mises stress and principle tensile stress in box girder bridge respectively decrease by 19.62% and 17.70% by decreasing pavement thickness from 12 cm to 4 cm.At the same condition, the stress levels in flanged girder bridge respectively decrease by 13.79% and 10.16%, and the stress distribution in bridge structure is meliorated.Therefore, thin-layer asphalt concrete is feasible to be utilized in bridge deck pavement when environment condition and material performance are considered in actual engineering.