Avaliação numérica da influência da geogrelha no desempenho de pavimentos flexíveis

This paper aims to develop a mechanistic analysis methodology in finite elements, using the ABAQUS program, to investigate the influence of geogrids as a reinforcement element in the performance of flexible pavements. To do this, an analytical methodology was adopted to calculate the additional confining stress provided by the reinforcement. The behavior of the base and subgrade materials was considered non-linear through a writing Fortran routine. An interface element between the geogrid and geotechnical material was also considered. The value of permanent deformation modeled numerically was compared with experimental results, which shows that the adopted methodology had a satisfactory fit. Thereby, different pavement configurations were simulated and analyzed. The parametric results show that by inserting a geogrid as an element to improve the pavement mechanical response, mainly due to the reduction of vertical stresses in the reinforcement layer and, consequently, the permanent deformation helps to prolong the paving service life.