Assessment of Concrete Pavement Performance on Istanbul's BRT Lines

Abstract

The performance of concrete pavements is directly related to stresses and vertical displacements generated by vehicle loads. Selecting appropriate pavement and base thickness is crucial for extending service life in heavy vehicle areas like Istanbul's bus rapid transit lines. This study aims to calculate the maximum stress and vertical displacements caused by Istanbul's bus rapid transit vehicles on concrete pavements. There are currently four types of buses actively operating on Istanbul's bus rapid transit line, each with different axle configurations and load capacities. Stresses and vertical displacements were calculated for the heaviest axle configuration of these buses under edge and center loading conditions using the Finite Element Method (FEM). These analyses were repeated across three different overlay conditions: concrete overlay of asphalt, concrete overlay of concrete, and concrete overlay on granular base. A total of 24 analyses, covering various loading conditions and pavement configurations, were conducted using the EverFE software. This research reveals maximum stress and vertical displacement values under various loading conditions, base properties, and slab thicknesses, offering critical insights for determining pavement thickness and guiding maintenance strategies. This study also fills the gap in the literature regarding the determination of concrete pavement thickness for BRT lines.

Keywords

• Bus rapid transit (BRT)
• concrete pavement
• structural design
• FEM
• foundation materials

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