Finite element algorithm for rigid pavement resting on Pasternak elastic foundation model under aircraft loading

Purpose The purpose of this study is to numerically model the rigid pavement resting on Pasternak soil and to examine its various response parameters and stress resultants like deflection, rotation, bending moment and shear force when subjected to aircraft loading. Design/methodology/approach The study is carried out using a one-dimensional (1D) beam element based on the finite element method (FEM). Each node in this element has three rotational and three translational degrees of freedom (DOF). MATLAB programming is used to perform the static analysis of rigid pavement. Findings Response parameters and stress resultants of the rigid pavement were determined. The FEM used in this work is validated by two closed-form numerical examples, which are in great accord with previous research findings with a maximum divergence of 4.64%, therefore verifying the finite element approach used in the current study. Additionally, various parametric studies have been carried out to study the variations in response parameters and stress resultants. Research limitations/implications The investigation at hand focuses exclusively on the static analysis of the pavement. The study constraints pertaining to the preliminary design phase of rigid pavements are such that a comprehensive three-dimensional finite element analysis is deemed unnecessary. Originality/value As limited previous research had performed the static analysis of rigid pavement on Pasternak foundation with 6 DOF. Furthermore, no prior study has done seven separate parametric investigations on the static analysis of rigid pavement.