INFLUENCE OF ANALITIC SOLUTIONS AND 3D MODELS IN THE EVALUTION OF DEFORMATIONS IN AIRFIELD PAVEMENTS

Abstract: This article compared the application of the Finite Element Method (FEM) and Analytical Solutions (LED) in the design of airfield pavements, analyzing their implications for predicting subgrade top deformations and calculating the Cumulative Damage Factor (CDF). Simulations were performed using the software ABAQUS 2020 (FEM) and AEMC v.2.4.6 (LED), considering different landing gear configurations and varying the base stiffness and pavement thickness. The results indicated that FEM tends to predict lower subgrade top deformations compared to LED, as it has a greater ability to model the interactions between pavement layers. The pavement thickness and base stiffness significantly influence the differences between the methods, with the greatest discrepancies observed in thinner layers and less rigid bases. It was also observed that the CDF values calculated by LED are higher than those obtained by FEM, suggesting that the analytical method might adopt a more conservative approach to predicting pavement performance. This behavior highlights the importance of considering more detailed and precise analysis methods, such as FEM, in airfield pavement projects, especially in scenarios involving large aircraft and high loads. Therefore, adopting FEM instead of LED can contribute to a more rational design of airfield pavements, reducing the risk of overdesign and providing a better understanding of pavement responses under complex loading conditions.