Experimental Verification of Discrete-Element Solutions for Plates and Pavement Slabs

摘要

Measured deflections and strains obtained from small models of pavement slabs subjected to various support and loading conditions are presented. Aluminum and plexiglass plates 9 inches square were simply supported on line and point bearings and loaded. Configurations were isotropic plates under center and off-center loading, isotropic plates with discontinuity, and orthotropic. A 1/8 inch thick aluminum plate placed on a uniquely constructed clay subgrade was loaded while deflections and strains were measured under various loading arrangements and frequencies. The measured deflections and principal stresses were compared with those obtained by a computer finite element analysis of the system. Linear and nonlinear subgrade characteristics were used in the computer simulation and the results compared. Overall, good correlations were obtained, but questions are raised about the value of the modulus of subgrade reaction, k (measured by plate bearing), to use in the computer solution. (Author)