Incremental layerwise finite element formulation for viscoelastic response of multilayered pavements

This paper provides an incremental layerwise finite element formulation for the viscoelastic analysis of multilayered pavements.  The constitutive behavior of asphalt concrete is represented by the Prony series. Layerwise finite element has been shown to provide an efficient and accurate tool for the numerical simulation of laminated structures. Most of the previous research on numerical simulation of laminated structures have been limited to elastic material behavior. Thus, the current work focuses on layerwise finite element analysis of laminated structures with embedded viscoelastic material such as pavements.  A computer code based on the presented formulation has been developed to provide the numerical results. The proposed approach is verified by comparing the results to analytical solutions, existing numerical solutions in the literature  and those obtained from the ABAQUS software, as well. Finally, and as an application of the presented formulation, the effects of time and load rate on the quasi-static structural response of asphalt concrete (AC) pavements are studied.