Measurement and Modelling Effect of Street Trees Distress on Asphalt Pavements by using Experimental and 3-D Finite Element Methods

08.Oct.2025

​​This study used Artificial Neural Networks (ANN) to investigate correlations between the type and severity of distresses with a group of factors related to the trees and site conditions to identify the tree species that lead to pavement distresses and damage by using Pavement Condition Index (PCI). A Finite Element Model (FEM) was developed to represent two scenarios, with and without the trees, for both curb trees and median trees to highlight the effects attributed solely to the trees. The analysis results provide strategies and plan for tree farming along roads depend on the research results and scientific. In a finite element model that ignores tree-root effects, deformation achieves an upper limit of 0.57 mm below the outer vehicle wheel, while the internal load produces 0.43 mm of deformation, with strains in the x, y, and z directions far below failure limits. When tree-root movements are observed on a traffic-free road …