FINITE ELEMENT ANALYSIS OF AIRFIELD FLEXIBLE PAVEMENT

The paper presents a numerical study of an aircraft wheel impacting on a fl exible landing surface. The proposed 3D model simulates the behaviour of fl exible runway pavement during the landing phase. This model was implemented in a fi nite element code in order to investigate the impact of repeated cycles of loads on pavement response. In the model, a multi-layer pavement structure was considered. In addition, the asphalt layer (HMA) was assumed to follow a viscoelastoplastic behaviour. The results demonstrate the capability of the model in predicting the permanent deformation distribution in the asphalt layer.