Structural design, mechanical response modelling and durability evaluation of prefabricated plastic pavements

Wang, Haopeng ORCID: 0000-0002-5008-7322, Zhang, Hanyu and Liu, Pengfei (2025) Structural design, mechanical response modelling and durability evaluation of prefabricated plastic pavements International Journal of Pavement Engineering, 26 (1). 2597304-. ISSN 1029-8436, 1477-268X

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Abstract

This study investigates the mechanical behaviour of an unbound granular base pavement structure incorporating conventional asphalt concrete and prefabricated plastic modules, with the aim of optimising modular structural designs and evaluating their durability. Two dimensions and seven types of cross-sectional profiles were designed, and dynamic finite element modelling with moving vehicle loads was conducted. An elastic‒continuum damage constitutive model was used for the prefabricated plastic module. The critical mechanical responses and damage states were compared to assess the performance improvements resulting from structural optimisation. The results indicate that prefabricated plastic modules exhibit higher stress and strain levels than asphalt concrete. Reducing the module width to 20 cm significantly improves the stress distribution and damage resistance, thereby enhancing the durability. Besides, the incorporation of internal supports effectively mitigates stress concentrations and localises damage around the supports and joints. Finally, the prefabricated plastic modules are unlikely to experience strength failure according to this case study, while fatigue failure could be a major issue without an appropriate structural design. These results provide valuable insights for the future development of modular and prefabricated plastic pavement systems.

Item Type:	Article
Uncontrolled Keywords:	Prefabricated plastic module, recycled plastics, structural optimisation, mechanical response, asphalt pavement
Divisions:	Faculty of Science & Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering Faculty of Science & Engineering > School of Engineering > Civil and Environmental Engineering
Depositing User:	Symplectic Admin
Date Deposited:	12 Jan 2026 08:26
Last Modified:	28 Feb 2026 16:24
DOI:	10.1080/10298436.2025.2597304
Related Websites:	Author Publisher
URI:	https://livrepository.liverpool.ac.uk/id/eprint/3196542
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