Implementation of the tangent modulus – vertical stress (Et–σv) model for flexible pavements analysis

A recently developed nonlinear elastic model of granular material, referred to as the tangent modulus – vertical stress (Et–σv) model, was implemented into a finite element numerical solver FlexPDE. The FlexPDE program was used to compare deflection predictions with actual plate-load test data from a site near Quebec City. The proposed Et–σv model performed well and led to excellent predictions for load levels of 40, 50, and 70 kN. Comparison with predictions using the Uzan model suggests that constitutive models of granular materials are best expressed in terms of vertical stress rather than mean stress for the prediction of elastic pavement response for field conditions.Key words: granular material, resilient modulus, triaxial test, plate-loading test, finite element.