Physical-numerical modeling of the functionalized road under tire load

In subproject A01, a multi-physical Finite Element (FE) discretization is used, to build a realistic tire-road interaction model for the short-term timescale. This physical model facilitates research and investigations into the structural behavior of the “Road of the Future”, and is an indispensable part of the digital twin of the roadway conceptualized in SFB/TRR 339. One important sub-goal is the development of a transient Arbitrary Lagrangian Eulerian (ALE) formulation of the pavement to capture the effects of dynamic wheel loads (SP A02, A03, B02). Another key milestone, is the implementation of continuum mechanics based material models of all layers of the pavement structure into the Finite Element framework. Consequently, the entire pavement structure including the sensitive surface layer (SP A03), the mineral-impregnated carbon fibre (MCF) - reinforced geopolymer concrete layer (SP A05) or the high-performance asphalt layer (SP A06), and the soil subgrade (SP A07) shall be considered in a transient ALE formulation of the pavement.

The influence of dynamic wheel loads, in contrast to those from steady state wheel rolling, on the structural response and damage of the pavement can be simulated and studied with the help of the physical model developed. Additionally, the influence of different materials and various superstructures on the structural behavior and durability of pavements under traffic and climate-induced loads is explored. The detailed, physical pavement model is the foundation for the long-term calculations (SP B04) and model reduction (SP B05), which are carried out in parallel. The interaction model is, simultaneously, an important building block for the twinning (SP B06), and the sum model for consistency assurance (SP B07). SP A01 is divided into six work packages, and two PhD students are working on these in parallel.