Towards an understanding of the structural performance of future electrified roads: a finite element simulation study

Nowadays, many novel technologies are under investigations for making our road infrastructure function beyond providing mobility and embrace other features that can promote the sustainability development of road transport sector. These new roads are often referred to as multifunctional or 'smart' roads. Focus in this paper is given to the structural aspects of a particular smart road solution called electrified road or 'eRoad', which is based on enabling the inductive power transfer technology to charge electric vehicles dynamically. Specifically, a new mechanistic-based methodology is firstly presented, using a finite element simulation and an advanced constitutive model for the asphalt concrete materials. Based on this, the mechanical responses of a potential eRoad structure under typical traffic loading conditions are predicted and analysed thoroughly. The main contributions of this paper include thus: (1) introducing a new methodology for analysing a pavement structure purely based on mechanistic principles; (2) utilising this methodology for the investigation of a future multifunctional road pavement structure, such as an eRoad; and (3) providing some practical guidance for an eRoad pavement design and the implementation into practice.