ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENT WORKING CONDITIONS ON ASCENTS AND DESCENTS OF HIGHWAYS

The article deals with the peculiarities of the operation of asphalt concrete layers of non-rigid pavement in the ascent and descent zones.It has been established that on ascents and descents of roads, where the speed of vehicles most often changes, the pavement is subjected to more intensive wear than on straight sections. In addition, changes in temperature, water and frost effects, as well as the effects of salt and other chemicals, negatively affect the operational condition of the asphalt pavement and its overhaul period. Premature and more intense destruction of the asphalt pavement creates dangerous situations for road users due to the formation of cracks, pits and frequent repairs.In addition, it is often forgotten, but pavement repairs and traffic congestion cause changes in the traffic regime on the roads, which is often not taken into account when calculating non-rigid pavements. The article deals with a spatial finite element model that allows describing the stress-strain state of each element of the pavement structure under the influence of traffic load. The deformations, displacements, and stresses in the asphalt concrete layers of the pavement structure are analyzed. The circumstances that may affect the premature formation of cracks and lead to a decrease in the durability of asphalt pavement and pavement structures in general were identified.The conducted research allows us to identify and eliminate potential hazards that arise during the operation of pavement. The obtained results can be implemented in the design of pavements in areas with difficult traffic in the ascent and descent zones.