Stress distributions in the textures of prefabricated pavement surface created with the assistance of 3D printing technology

Textures of concrete pavements not only provide essential functions for vehicles but also affect the durability of pavements. The development of 3D printing and prefabrication technologies enables the manufacturing of intricate surface textures at the industrial scale. Such textures can provide excellent functions such as high skid resistance and low tire-pavement noise; however, the durability of the pavement textures and surfaces remains unknown. In this study, the effects of texture on tire-induced stress distribution were evaluated in detail. Finite element models were created to simulate tire loading, pavement, and their interactions. The models were partially validated through literature data and an onsite experiment. The models were subsequently used to analyze stress distributions on a flat pavement surface and on three types of pavement textures: rectangular, arc-shaped, and rounded trapezoidal. The analysis results show that pavement texture plays an important role in the distributions of various surface stresses. Compared with flat surface, all the types of textures cause stress concentrations. The arc-shaped texture is subjected to both the maximum tensile and compressive stresses, while the rectangular texture and the rounded trapezoidal texture behave similarly in stress magnitude and distribution.