Abstract
Three dimensional finite element analysis (FEA) of pavements with thin and ultra thin whitetopping (UTW) is carried out to quantify the bond level between the concrete overlay and the existing pavement. Spring elements are employed at the interface to simulate the bond between the layers. Using appropriate spring stiffness values it is possible to simulate fully bonded, semi-bonded, and un-bonded conditions. A definition of bond level is introduced that is based on the strain gap between the two layers at the interface. Finite element simulations are carried out on the pavement that was tested by the Obayashi Road Research Company. The simulation results are compared with the experimental values and showed the bonded level at test section.
