FEMAT PROJECT

general information

FEMat road is a set of toolboxes and numerical procedures for structural analysis and diagnostic of the roadways and airport runways. The main advantage of this package is its modular structure, which can be enhanced by user's subroutines, procedures and algorithms. The advanced user can easily extend the functionality of the FEMat road software package. All procedures are available as a set of static or dynamic libraries or as a Matlab toolbox. The package is dedicated to civil & structural engineers, academic researchers but also to road managers.

Main features of the software package

FEMat road consists of four main modules:

• roadways and airport runways cost and fatigue life analysis,
• mechanical analysis of 3D, plane stress, plane strain and axisymmetric pavement structures,
• inverse analysis and optimization of pavement structures,
• experimental data wrapping and analysis.

Long cycle cost analysis & fatigue life analysis

Cost and fatigue life analysis module helps in predicting the remaining life time of the pavement structure and its progressive deterioration in time. This toolbox consists of extensive database of construction technologies and reparation techniques. Therefore the optimal construction and/or reparation method can be easily revealed among multiple designs.

Mechanical analysis of pavement structures

This module helps in computing the deformations, strains and stresses in any point of the structure. The precise results are provided through the implementation of widely recognized numerical and analytical computational algorithms. Among others the Finite Element Method (FEM) is used herein for static and dynamic analysis of 3D, plain strain, plain stress and axisymmetric analysis. The Spectral Element Method (SEM) embedded in the module provides fast and precise response for dynamic analysis of axisymmetric structures. Module consists also of approximate analytical solvers based on Boussinesq theory, method of equivalent thickness or Linear Elastic Theory (LET) of layered axisymmetric structures.

Inverse analysis and optimization

This module helps in mechanical characterization of pavement structure. It contsists of numerous local and global optimization algorithms. Toolbox provides number of built-in inverse procedure basing on Falling Weight Deflectometer test (FWD) or various laboratory tests (e.g. four point bending, compresive test). Embedded Artificai Neural Network (ANN) and Bayesian surrogates helps in detailed analysis of structure responses and parameters' relationship. The module also provide procedures for sensitivity and variance analysis.

Analysis of experimental data

This module helps in detailed analysis of experimental data from various tests (dynamic and static measurement of road surface's deflection, digital visualization of road surface, roughness and evenness, etc.). Both statistical and qualitative analysis can be performed. It computes most of the road structure's indicators, as longitudinal, transversal and planar evenness and inclinations; surface, crack and deflection indicators, etc. The toolbox consists of wrappers for experimental data in various formats.