Shakedown Analysis of Road Pavements - Application to Project Level and Network Level Scenarios

Shakedown behaviour of road pavements was investigated in laboratory controlled conditions using the Sydney University Pavement Testing Facility. Wheel loads lower than the shakedown load generated low permanent deformations for a larger number of load cycles in comparison with high permanent deformations for a lower number of load cycles for wheel loads higher than the shakedown load. Computer software was developed to calculate the shakedown limit using elastic stress distributions calculated with Sydney University's FLEA (Finite Layer Elastic Analysis) program. Case studies of shakedown theory to solve project level construction issues and remaining service life calculations at the network level are presented.