Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale
Unlike conventional asphalt pavements, steel bridge deck pavement (SBDP) is directly constructed on orthotropic steel deck plates characterized by relatively low flexural stiffness, rendering it more susceptible to rutting deformation under elevated temperatures and repeated loading. To investigate...
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MDPI AG
2025-05-01
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| author | Xingchen Min Yun Liu |
| author_facet | Xingchen Min Yun Liu |
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| description | Unlike conventional asphalt pavements, steel bridge deck pavement (SBDP) is directly constructed on orthotropic steel deck plates characterized by relatively low flexural stiffness, rendering it more susceptible to rutting deformation under elevated temperatures and repeated loading. To investigate the mesoscopic mechanism underlying rutting formation in SBDP, a three-dimensional (3D) discrete–continuous coupled model of a steel–asphalt composite structural specimen (SACSS) was developed and employed to conduct virtual rutting simulations, which were subsequently validated against laboratory test results. The impact of surface cracking on rutting progression was then explored. In addition, the spatial motion and contact interactions of particles during the rutting process were monitored and analyzed. The influence of steel plate stiffness on the rutting resistance of SBDP was also evaluated. The numerical analyses yielded the following key findings: (1) Under three steel–asphalt interface bonding (SAIB) failure conditions (0%, 17%, and 100%), the virtual simulation results exhibited strong agreement with experimental trends in rutting depth over time, thereby confirming the validity and reliability of the coupled modeling approach. (2) At 30 °C, the presence of surface cracks is found to increase the rutting depth by 35.77%, whereas this effect is mitigated at 45 °C. (3) The meso-mechanical mechanisms governing rutting deformation in SBDP are further elucidated under different temperature conditions. (4) Moreover, at elevated temperatures, the use of a steel plate with an elastic modulus of 206 MPa effectively inhibit rutting development. This study offers mesoscopic-level insights into the effects of temperature, SAIB conditions, steel plate stiffness, and surface cracking on the macroscopic rutting behavior of SBDP, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of long-lasting SBDPs. |
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| spelling | doaj-art-dd0e0ab58f8242f1bc5247f978a0db272025-08-20T02:23:04ZengMDPI AGApplied Sciences2076-34172025-05-011511618710.3390/app15116187Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic ScaleXingchen Min0Yun Liu1Road and Railway Engineering Research Institute, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaRoad and Railway Engineering Research Institute, Hohai University, Nanjing 210098, ChinaUnlike conventional asphalt pavements, steel bridge deck pavement (SBDP) is directly constructed on orthotropic steel deck plates characterized by relatively low flexural stiffness, rendering it more susceptible to rutting deformation under elevated temperatures and repeated loading. To investigate the mesoscopic mechanism underlying rutting formation in SBDP, a three-dimensional (3D) discrete–continuous coupled model of a steel–asphalt composite structural specimen (SACSS) was developed and employed to conduct virtual rutting simulations, which were subsequently validated against laboratory test results. The impact of surface cracking on rutting progression was then explored. In addition, the spatial motion and contact interactions of particles during the rutting process were monitored and analyzed. The influence of steel plate stiffness on the rutting resistance of SBDP was also evaluated. The numerical analyses yielded the following key findings: (1) Under three steel–asphalt interface bonding (SAIB) failure conditions (0%, 17%, and 100%), the virtual simulation results exhibited strong agreement with experimental trends in rutting depth over time, thereby confirming the validity and reliability of the coupled modeling approach. (2) At 30 °C, the presence of surface cracks is found to increase the rutting depth by 35.77%, whereas this effect is mitigated at 45 °C. (3) The meso-mechanical mechanisms governing rutting deformation in SBDP are further elucidated under different temperature conditions. (4) Moreover, at elevated temperatures, the use of a steel plate with an elastic modulus of 206 MPa effectively inhibit rutting development. This study offers mesoscopic-level insights into the effects of temperature, SAIB conditions, steel plate stiffness, and surface cracking on the macroscopic rutting behavior of SBDP, thereby providing a theoretical foundation for the design and optimization of long-lasting SBDPs.https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6187steel bridge deck pavementrutting mechanismthree-dimensional discrete–continuous coupling methodmesoscopic mechanism |
| spellingShingle | Xingchen Min Yun Liu Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale Applied Sciences steel bridge deck pavement rutting mechanism three-dimensional discrete–continuous coupling method mesoscopic mechanism |
| title | Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale |
| title_full | Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale |
| title_fullStr | Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale |
| title_full_unstemmed | Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale |
| title_short | Permanent Deformation Mechanism of Steel Bridge Deck Pavement Using Three-Dimensional Discrete–Continuous Coupling Method on the Mesoscopic Scale |
| title_sort | permanent deformation mechanism of steel bridge deck pavement using three dimensional discrete continuous coupling method on the mesoscopic scale |
| topic | steel bridge deck pavement rutting mechanism three-dimensional discrete–continuous coupling method mesoscopic mechanism |
| url | https://www.mdpi.com/2076-3417/15/11/6187 |
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