Analysis of Pavement Structures. By Animesh Das. CRC Press: Boca Raton, FL, USA, 2014; 194p; ISBN 978-1466558557

Significant differences exist between pavement and building structures, particularly with respect to the type and mode of loading conditions: structural elements, beams and columns of buildings are subjected to static loads and pavement to dynamic loads. However, the design of structural members for buildings might need to address temporary dynamic loads due to wind, earthquake or other factors depending on building or structure height and application. In contrast, pavements are subjected to the moving loads of vehicles as well as to further loads due to temperature gradients. Since the layers of various materials used in pavements may vary in thickness and the statically indeterminate nature of pavement (due to the full contact with the bed soil layer or the lower layers), any deformation caused by changes in the moisture content and temperature can result in internal stresses in pavement structures. Consequently, analysis of pavement structures can be very complicated, requiring skills in material characterization, mathematics and modeling. In this regard, a useful book that covers various subjects in the pavement design and analysis was reviewed. Th details of each chapter were briefly explained. This book is recommended for consultant engineers and pavement researchers.