This book summarizes research being pursued within the Research Unit FOR 2089, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the goal of which is to develop the scientific base for a paradigm shift towards dimensioning, structural realization and maintenance of pavements, and prepare road infrastructure for future requirements. It provides a coupled thermo-mechanical model for a holistic physical analysis of the pavement-tire-vehicle system: based on this model, pavement structures and materials can be optimized so that new demands become compatible with the main goal - durability of the structures and the materials. The development of these new and qualitatively improved modelling approaches requires a holistic procedure through the coupling of theoretical numerical and experimental approaches as well as an interdisciplinary and closely linked handling of the coupled pavement-tire-vehicle system. This interdisciplinary research provides a deeper understanding of the physics of the full system through complex, coupled simulation approaches and progress in terms of improved and, therefore, more durable and sustainable structures.

This book summarizes research being pursued within the Research Unit FOR 2089, funded by the German Research Foundation (DFG), the goal of which is to develop the scientific base for a paradigm shift towards dimensioning, structural realization and maintenance of pavements, and prepare road infrastructure for future requirements. It provides a coupled thermo-mechanical model for a holistic physical analysis of the pavement-tire-vehicle system: based on this model, pavement structures and materials can be optimized so that new demands become compatible with the main goal - durability of the structures and the materials. The development of these new and qualitatively improved modelling approaches requires a holistic procedure through the coupling of theoretical numerical and experimental approaches as well as an interdisciplinary and closely linked handling of the coupled pavement-tire-vehicle system. This interdisciplinary research provides a deeper understanding of the physics of the full system through complex, coupled simulation approaches and progress in terms of improved and, therefore, more durable and sustainable structures.