Analytical layer-element approach for wave propagation of transversely isotropic pavement

Asphalt pavements have been recognised as transversely isotropic multi-layered structures. In this paper, an analytical layer-element approach is utlised to solve the wave propagation of transversely isotropic multi-layered pavement structures under the falling weight deflectometer impact load. After the application of Fourier–Hankel transform, the Navier's equation for transversely isotropic layer by impulsive force are solved analytically. The global stiffness matrix equation of multilayered structures is further obtained by assembling the interrelated layer-elements, and the actual solution is achieved by numerical inversion of the Fourier–Hankel transform after the solution in the transformed domain is obtained. The layer-element of a single layer and the global stiffness matrix only contain negative exponential functions, which leads to a considerable improvement in computation efficiency and stability. Numerical examples are presented to demonstrate the accuracy of this method and to inversitgate the influence of the properties of transversely isotropic elastic materials on the load-displacement responses.