Characteristics and analysis of static strain response on typical asphalt pavement using fiber Bragg grating sensing technology

Abstract

To study the real internal strain response of asphalt pavement and provide crucial data for optimizing pavement design. By burying the fiber grating sensors on site, the strain tests of four asphalt pavement structures under different working conditions were carried out, and the results showed that the static strain time curve is viscoelastic and conforms well to the Bugers model, and the fitting coefficient of determination is 0.98. The strain response of the asphalt surface courses of the four pavement structures under static load shows a double hump variation with the transverse position, with peaks occurring directly beneath the wheel load center. The transverse strain fluctuated between tension and compression, mirroring changes in the lateral position. While longitudinal strains, always tensile, were symmetrically aligned with the centerline of the longitudinal sensors, this pattern differed notably from that of the transverse sensors. In the base layers, the strain profile typically presented a single peak, located at the wheel gap, underscoring a critical area of stress concentration. Numerically, the peak strain of asphalt surface course is larger than that of base course. The most unfavorable loading position of the base course occurs at the wheel gap of the lower base course. The most adverse loading position of the surface course appears at the wheel load at the bottom of the upper or middle course. The research results can provide data support for improving the design method of asphalt pavement.