A thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Engineering in Transportation Engineering

Thesis (M.Eng.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2018

The occurrence of overloaded heavy vehicle impacts on road damage and it induces the early maintenance within the service period in Thailand. Hence, it is necessary to investigate the pavement under conditions in our country. This study emphasis on the flexible and rigid pavements responses using finite element analysis (FEA). The data required for this study obtained from the research and development project of Department of Highways, Thailand. The developed models using finite element analysis were compared with theory and linear elastic analysis then the model used to investigate the strain and stress, from asphalt strain gage, strain gage, and pressure cell which installed under pavement structure. The controlled truck and FWD were adopted then the results showed that the strain and stress obtained from sensor reading differs from developed model and the FEA using back-calculation and typical design modulus. The difference may be due to the single circular load used in axisymmetric model and the dual tires. Besides, there might have other factors on site e.g. climate, load position which can lead to less accuracy of FEA model. Afterwards, the sensitivity analysis of contact radius and modulus of elasticity were investigated using the pavement response value from FEA. In addition, fatigue model, rutting model and damage ratio of pavement were studied by using the equations from Asphalt Institute, DOH ,and the proposed equations.