Finite Element Modelling of Rigid Pavement Slabs Subjected to Wheel Loading on Untreated and Treated Expansive Subgrade: A Parametric Study using PLAXIS 2D
Abstract
This parametric study investigates the structural behaviour of rigid pavement slabs resting on treated and untreated expansive subgrades. The research analyses the response of the pavement system when subjected to critical wheel loading applied at both the edge and interior zones of the slab. The parametric variations evaluated include a range of wheel loads (50Kn, 80kN, 100Kn) cross analyzed with various slab thicknesses (150mm, 200mm, 250mm, 300mm). Two-dimensional numerical modelling was executed using PLAXIS 2D software to compute and evaluate total deformation across all configurations. The numerical outcomes reveal that the treated subgrade significantly minimizes structural displacement, achieving a maximum deformation reduction of 43.04% at the slab edge and 42.20% at interior compared to the untreated subgrade. Ultimately, the results highlight the effectiveness of subgrade treatment in minimizing structural displacement optimizing slab design under heavy load distributions.