Horizontal Load Implementation Techniques Using Asphalt Pavement Computer Program Apbi

Authors

  • Yipeng Chen "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Xin Jiang "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Yangchen Lu "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Xinya Huang "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Canyang Cui "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Yang Xue "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Shixuan Li "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Hongpo Liu "School of Smart City and Transportation, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China", "Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" & "MOE Key Laboratory of High-speed Railway Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu 610031, China" Author
  • Yanjun Qiu School of Civil Engineering, Tarim Institute of Technology, Alaer 843399, China Author

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.65904/3083-3590.2026.02.04

Keywords:

Apbi, horizontal load, input format, reliability evaluation, calculation error

Abstract

The computer program Apbi, developed based on elastic layered system theory, is applicable to the analysis of layered elastic systems including multilayer flexible pavements, airport pavements, and multilayer foundations, and has been widely adopted in academic research and engineering practice. However, its full source code has not been publicly released, and a complete official user manual is currently unavailable. When one or more horizontal loads are applied, the input specification of Apbi is not clearly defined. In addition, the computational accuracy and reliability of its stress predictions under such loading conditions have not been systematically verified. To fill these research gaps, this study designs a variety of load combination scenarios to clarify Apbi’s input specifications under different horizontal load conditions. The stress outputs from Apbi are validated against calculation results from the well-recognized GAMES program. Moreover, a practical approximate calculation method is proposed for working conditions subjected purely to horizontal loads. This study also identifies that Apbi yields incorrect values for the two in-plane shear stress components inside the loaded area on the pavement surface, which offers a practical reference for the proper application of the Apbi program in the design and calculation of multilayer flexible pavements, airport pavements, and multilayer foundations.

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Published

2026-07-09

Issue

Vol. 2 (2026)

Section

Articles