A Study of Nonlinear Tire Contact Pressure Effects on HMA Rutting

The Indiana Department of Transportation/Purdue University accelerated pavement testing (APT) facility has been utilized in a number of studies of hot mix asphalt (HMA) rutting performance. The benefit of using APT is that rutting performance can be established in a few days of testing. Finite element (FE) models have been developed for relating APT to in‐service pavement performance. Factors addressed in the models include pavement geometry, boundary conditions, materials, loads, test conditions, and construction variables. Determining the effects of these factors provides a means for better interpreting APT test results and HMA rutting performance. A detailed analysis using 3D and 2D FE has been made of tire/pavement contact pressure effects on rutting. The analyses include tread pattern and constant and varying contact pressure. A creep model is used to represent the HMA time‐dependent material behavior. Based on test data, the material constants in the creep model were back calculated. Results of the FE studies show that the creep model can successfully characterize pavement material behavior through a reasonable approximation of loading and other factors.     

Creep Behavior of Hot-Mix Asphalt due to Heavy Vehicular Tire Loading

The objective of this study is to characterize the creep behavior of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) at intermediate (20°C) and at high temperatures (40°C). To accomplish this objective, a nonlinear time-hardening creep model, characterized through laboratory testing, was incorporated into a three-dimensional (3D) finite-element (FE) model, which was used to calculate permanent creep strains after applying repetitive vehicular loading cycles at the pavement surface. Two different tire configurations were simulated representing a typical dual-tire assembly and a newly introduced wide-base tire (dual-tire: 275/80R22.5 and wide-base tire: 455/55R22.5). Results of the 3D FE model were successfully verified against pavement response measurements in the field at the Virginia Smart Road. While the elastic or linear viscoelastic FE model may not simulate permanent deformation or shear creep strains after repetitions of vehicular loading, a nonlinear time-hardening creep model could predict primary rutting damage in HMA and shear creep strains at the edge of the tire imprint caused by different tire configurations.     

Modeling Measured 3D Tire Contact Stresses in a Viscoelastic FE Pavement Model

Three‐dimensional (3D) contact stresses occurring between the road surface and the tire that were measured with the South African Vehicle Road Surface Pressure Transducer Array (VRSPTA) device under a moving wheel are transformed to a corresponding force/stress pattern representing the actual contact stress state under the tire by means of a software program. In combination with a dynamic load function such force patterns derived from these Stress‐in‐Motion (SIM) measurements with the VRSPTA device are used to introduce a more advanced load representation of the tire‐pavement interface into a three‐dimensional (3D) finite element (FE) model. Further, a method is presented to derive viscoelastic material properties of asphalt concrete (AC) mixes from dynamic frequency sweep shear (FS‐S) tests of lab specimens or field cores that can be used to define material behavior of the AC layers in the 3D FE pavement model. Linear elastic layered theory is utilized to validate the results of the FE computations in order to demonstrate that the FE method can successfully be used to include SIM measurements for more advanced analysis and design of pavements. First results of the 3D FE simulation of a load circle of the Heavy Vehicle Simulator (HVS) during accelerated pavement testing of a pavement test section are presented. These results encourage employment of the FE pavement model for further simulation work to assess the rutting potential of AC mixes in combination with different tire types and loading situations.     

Structural Design of Flexible Pavements Using Steel Netting as Base Reinforcement

This article deals with the structural design of flexible pavements reinforced by steel nettings. The purpose is to estimate the gain in base material obtained by using such systems. Most of the current pavement design methods are modeling the reinforcing system as a continuous layer. This approach is leading to cost‐ineffective solutions. To overcome these present limitations, a three‐dimensional (3D) finite element modeling (FEM) approach is suggested. The application of 3D‐FEM allows simulation of the real shape of steel reinforcing nettings. To cover as many practical cases as possible, various pavements are considered, defined by various base thicknesses and soil bearing capacities. Structures with and without base reinforcement system are compared in terms of asphalt fatigue, rutting, and deflection performance. These comparisons make it possible to draw several design charts for various asphalt thicknesses and soil bearing capacities. Such design charts will avoid time‐consuming computations with 3D‐FEM applications and provide project engineers with more cost‐effective solutions.     

Microstructural Viscoplastic Continuum Model for Permanent Deformation in Asphalt Pavements

Permanent deformation is one of the major distresses in asphalt pavements. It is caused mainly by high traffic loads associated with high field temperatures. An anisotropic viscoplastic continuum damage model is developed in this study to describe permanent deformation of asphalt pavements. The model is based on Perzyna’s formulation with Drucker–Prager yield function modified to account for material anisotropy and microstructure damage. The material anisotropy is captured through microstructural analysis of aggregate distribution on two-dimensional sections of hot mix asphalt. A damage parameter is included in the model to quantify the nucleation of cracks and growth of air voids and cracks. A parametric study was conducted to demonstrate the sensitivity of the model to strain rate, aggregate distribution, and microstructure damage. Triaxial strength and static creep measurements obtained from the Federal Highway Administration Accelerated Loading Facility were used to determine the model parameters.     

Creep of fibre composite beams in bending

Large scale deformation of fibre reinforced composites (Mg alloy/Al₂O₃ fibres) has been observed after creep in bending at 310°C. The deformation is considered in terms of the continuum theory of fibre reinforced materials in which only elastic deformation occurs in the fibres but the matrix is allowed to deform in shear. It is shown that the continuum theory is capable of accounting for time-dependent microcracking or fracture when creep is allowed for. However, the continuum theory does not predict two stage creep or the shear cracking which was observed in the experiments. It is necessary to consider microstructural features in order to explain many aspects of the observations and some of these are considered. In particular, damage accumulates at the fibre-matrix interface and this is thought to lead to an increase in the creep rate after a critical deformation.     

Viscoelastic Modeling and Field Validation of Flexible Pavements

The objective of this study was to characterize hot-mix asphalt (HMA) viscoelastic properties at intermediate and high temperatures and to incorporate laboratory-determined parameters into a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model to accurately simulate pavement responses to vehicular loading at different temperatures and speeds. Results of the developed FE model were compared against field-measured pavement responses from the Virginia Smart Road. Results of this analysis indicated that the elastic theory grossly underpredicts pavement responses to vehicular loading at intermediate and high temperatures. In addition, the elastic FE model could not simulate permanent deformation or delayed recovery, a known characteristic of HMA materials. In contrast, results of the FE viscoelastic model were in better agreement with field measurements. In this case, the average error in the prediction was less than 15%. The FE model successfully simulated retardation of the response in the transverse direction and rapid relaxation of HMA in the longitudinal direction. Moreover, the developed model allowed predicting primary rutting damage at the surface and its partial recovery after load application.     

Development of a New Structural Model with Prism and Strip Elements for Pavements on Steel Bridge Decks

A new structural model for pavements on steel bridge decks (SLPE) is developed. In this model, a prism element and a strip element represent the pavement and steel bridge deck, respectively. A newly developed link element models the insulation layer that bonds the pavement to the steel deck plate. The SLPE model is verified by calculations that simulate a simply supported square plate and an actual pavement on a bridge deck. Furthermore, the model is expanded to deal with dynamic problems that consider the viscosity of asphalt materials.     

Effect of Design and Site Factors on the Long-Term Performance of Flexible Pavements

Results are presented from a study to evaluate the relative influence of design and site factors on the performance of in-service flexible pavements. The data are from the SPS-1 experiment of the Long-Term Pavement Performance program. This experiment was designed to investigate the effects of HMA surface layer thickness, base type, base thickness, and drainage on the performance of new flexible pavements constructed in different site conditions (subgrade type and climate). Base type was found to be the most critical design factor affecting fatigue cracking, roughness (IRI), and longitudinal cracking (wheel path). The best performance was shown by pavement sections with asphalt treated bases (ATB). This effect should be interpreted in light of the fact that an ATB effectively means a thicker HMA layer. Drainage and base type, when combined, also play an important role in improving performance, especially in terms of fatigue and longitudinal cracking. Base thickness has only secondary effects on performance, mainly in the case of roughness and rutting. In addition, climatic conditions were found to have a significant effect on flexible pavement performance. Wheel path longitudinal cracking and transverse cracking seem to be associated with a wet-freeze environment, while nonwheel path longitudinal cracking seems to be dominant in a freeze climate. In general, pavements built on fine-grained soils have shown the worst performance, especially in terms of roughness. Although most of the findings from this study support the existing understanding of pavement performance, they also provide an overview of the interactions between design and site factors and new insights for achieving better long-term pavement performance.     

Performance of Transverse Cracking in Jointed Concrete Pavements

Environmental effects and repetitive traffic applications can lead to the development of transverse cracks in jointed concrete pavements. Maintaining adequate aggregate interlock load transfer across these cracks is essential to preserving the functional and structural integrity of these pavements. The objectives of this study were to determine the design parameters that significantly affect transverse cracking and to demonstrate methods available for evaluating cracked pavements. Field data collected from in-service jointed concrete pavements located throughout southern Michigan were used to accomplish these objectives. Joint spacing, coarse aggregate type, shoulder type, and pavement temperature were found to have significant effects on transverse crack development and∕or performance. The surface texture of crack faces was assessed using a promising new test method called volumetric surface texture testing. Volumetric surface texture results provided an indication of the aggregate interlock potential of pavements containing various aggregate types. Three performance parameters capable of mechanistically characterizing crack performance were discussed. A relatively simple procedure was described for determining these parameters and evaluating crack conditions. Field data were also used to demonstrate and validate a voids' analysis procedure. This procedure estimates the potential for loss of support near cracks and joints, thus allowing for proper rehabilitation actions to be taken prior to the manifestation of additional distresses.     

Evaluation of Thermal Cracking at Elmendorf AFB Using SHRP Technology

An evaluation of runway and taxiway pavements was conducted using technology developed or utilized during the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) to determine the effectiveness for identifying thermal cracking propensity of asphalt pavements. SHRP performance grades (PG) of PG52-28 and PG58-28 were measured for the 3 and 6% (weight-to-weight ratio) styrene-butadiene-styrene copolymer-modified asphalt binders employed in taxiway and runway construction. The high temperature SHRP performance grades were above that required by SHRP for the Anchorage, Alaska area according to the SHRP weather database. The low temperature SHRP PG of the binders were found to be insufficient for the area. No rutting has been observed; however, the pavements developed transverse cracks after the first winter following construction of both the runway and taxiway pavements in 1994 and 1996, respectively. The SHRP thermal cracking model failed to predict any cracking within a 10-year period for both pavements. No obvious cause for the model failure could be ascertained. The thermal stress restrained specimen test revealed no significant difference between cracking temperatures for the 3 and 6% styrene-butadiene-styrene-modified binders.     

Evaluation of Full-Depth Asphalt Pavement Construction Using X-Ray Computed Tomography and Ground Penetrating Radar

In the past few years, a number of full-depth or perpetual pavements have been designed and constructed in the State of Texas. A study was conducted to examine the quality of the compaction of the thick asphalt layers within these pavements using advanced forensic tools such as X-ray computed tomography (X-ray CT) and ground penetrating radar (GPR). The GPR is a nondestructive tool for evaluating the uniformity of density in pavements at highway speed. X-ray CT is a laboratory tool that is used to conduct detailed analysis of air void distribution and uniformity in asphalt pavement cores. This paper presents the results of analyzing one of the perpetual pavements constructed in State Highway 114 (SH-114). In this project, two different structural asphalt pavement sections were placed, one included a 1?in. (25.4 mm) stone filled (SF) Superpave mix and the other included a traditional dense graded Type B material. The dense graded Type B material was found to be uniformly compacted. However, major compaction problems were identified with the coarse SF Superpave mix. The poor compaction and associated high percent air vsoids were found to permit moisture infiltration, which could potentially lead to rapid pavement deterioration. The analysis showed very good agreement between the GPR and X-ray CT results and demonstrated the efficiency of using GPR and X-ray CT in the evaluation of asphalt pavement compaction.     

Prediction of Creep Stiffness of Asphalt Mixture with Micromechanical Finite-Element and Discrete-Element Models

This study presents micromechanical finite-element (FE) and discrete-element (DE) models for the prediction of viscoelastic creep stiffness of asphalt mixture. Asphalt mixture is composed of graded aggregates bound with mastic (asphalt mixed with fines and fine aggregates) and air voids. The two-dimensional (2D) microstructure of asphalt mixture was obtained by optically scanning the smoothly sawn surface of superpave gyratory compacted asphalt mixture specimens. For the FE method, the micromechanical model of asphalt mixture uses an equivalent lattice network structure whereby interparticle load transfer is simulated through an effective asphalt mastic zone. The ABAQUS FE model integrates a user material subroutine that combines continuum elements with viscoelastic properties for the effective asphalt mastic and rigid body elements for each aggregate. An incremental FE algorithm was employed in an ABAQUS user material model for the asphalt mastic to predict global viscoelastic behavior of asphalt mixture. In regard to the DE model, the outlines of aggregates were converted into polygons based on a 2D scanned mixture microstructure. The polygons were then mapped onto a sheet of uniformly sized disks, and the intrinsic and interface properties of the aggregates and mastic were assigned for the simulation. An experimental program was developed to measure the properties of sand mastic for simulation inputs. The laboratory measurements of the mixture creep stiffness were compared with FE and DE model predictions over a reduced time. The results indicated both methods were applicable for mixture creep stiffness prediction.     

Three-Dimensional Micromechanical Finite-Element Network Model for Elastic Damage Behavior of Idealized Stone-Based Composite Materials

This paper presents a three-dimensional (3D) micromechanical finite-element (FE) network model for predicting elastic damage behavior of the idealized stone-based materials. Stone-based composite materials have multiphase structures: an aggregate (or stone) skeleton, a binding medium, fillers, and air voids. Numerical simulation of the micromechanical behavior of the idealized stone-based materials was accomplished by using a microframe element network model that incorporated the mechanical load transfer between adjacent particles. The elastic stiffness matrix of this special element was obtained from an approximate elastic stress-strain analysis of straight cement between particle pairs. A damage-coupled microframe element was then formulated with bilinear damage laws, including elastic and softening behavior based on the equivalent fracture release energy. Indirect tension and compression simulations were conducted with developed FE models on the idealized digital samples of the stone-based materials. These simulations predicted the internal microdamage distribution and global fracture behavior of these samples, which qualitatively agree with the laboratory observations. The results indicate that the developed FE models have the capability to predict the typical loading-related damage behavior observed from the stone-based materials.     

Field Trial for Asphalt Pavements Reinforced with Geosynthetics and Behavior of Glass-Fiber Grids

This paper presents details of a large field trial and some observations conducted to evaluate the practical efficiencies of geosynthetically reinforced asphalt pavements in Shanxi Province, China. Three glass-fiber grids (LB2000 II, TGG-8080, GGA 2021), one plastic grid (Tensar AR1), two geotextiles (nonwoven needle-punched and nonwoven heat-bonded), and one geocomposite (Tensar AR-G) application were selected for evaluation. These geosynthetics were installed in the interface between new asphalt pavement layers (APL) and new cement-stabilized gravel–sand base courses coated by emulsified asphalt or within new APL in the reconstruction of asphalt pavement sections (Program I), or in the interface between old APL and new overlay layers in the asphalt overlay pavement sections (Program II). In each program, reinforced sections with different geosynthetics were compared with each other and with nonreinforced sections to determine relative performance. Inspections after construction showed that the integrated damage ratio and deflection in the pavement sections reinforced with glass–fiber grids were less than other pavement sections. Furthermore, after about 4?years of service, glass-fiber grids were dug out and no breaking and node movement were discovered. Nevertheless, observations indicated that geosynthetics may not be effective, if bearing capacity of the base course/subgrade is inadequate, or if the overlay thickness is too thin, or if preconstruction repair of distressed old pavement is incomplete.     

Determination of Shear and Bulk Moduli of Viscoelastic Solids from the Indirect Tension Creep Test

Because of its efficiency in analyzing complex viscoelastic problems, the finite-element (FE) analysis has been widely used to identify the time- and rate-dependent effects of viscoelastic materials on various structural conditions. When performing the FE analysis on a viscoelastic structure, most FE programs require fundamental material properties, shear and bulk moduli, of the given viscoelastic material as their input. However, the shear and bulk modulus tests are difficult to perform, so they have been commonly estimated from a single material test on the basis of the assumption that the Poisson’s ratio of viscoelastic materials is a time-independent constant. Such an assumption, however, might not be suitable because the Poisson’s ratio of the viscoelastic materials is also a function of time. Therefore, this study developed computation algorithms for determining the time-dependent Poisson’s ratio and shear and bulk moduli of asphalt mixtures, which have been well recognized as a viscoelastic material, by employing the indirect tension testing system. The shear and bulk moduli determined by the developed approach appear to be reasonable and realistic. Their applicability and reliability were also verified by comparing experimental data to the results of the FE analysis performed on the same circular specimen as that used in the indirect tension creep test.     

Utilizing Advanced Characterization Tools to Prevent Reflective Cracking

To prevent premature failures of rehabilitated concrete pavements, transportation authorities need tools to characterize the prerehab pavement condition of its load carrying capacity, and to determine the resistance of the overlay material to underlying crack/joint movements. Two quantitative methods, the rolling dynamic deflectometer (RDD) and overlay tester (OT), along with field performance data were employed in rehabilitation studies involving reflective cracks. The RDD is able to continuously assess vertical differential movements at joints/cracks that represent the potential for reflective cracks on existing pavements. The OT has the ability to determine the resistance of the overlay material to underlying crack/joint movements. The RDD W1?W3 deflections were used to determine areas that have a high potential for reflective cracking due to poor load transfer across joints and cracks. This paper documents results from the RDD and OT on the following five rehabilitation projects: (1) SH225; (2) US96; (3) SH12; (4) SH342; and (5) IH35W. Based on the available test results from these five projects, it was observed that the W1?W3 threshold values of 5.5 mils (0.140 mm) for exposed concrete pavement and 6.5 mils (0.165 mm) for composite pavement with existing hot mix asphalt overlay and an OT threshold value of 700 cycles correlated well with the field performance. Ignoring either of these critical factors may lead to premature reflective cracking.     

Parameter Identification Procedure for Heterogeneous Viscoelastic Composites Using Iterative Functions

This paper presents a new numerical procedure for the determination of the viscoelastic compliance properties of a matrix phase from a simple three-point bending test on a composite beam. The composite is modeled as elastic inclusions randomly dispersed throughout a viscoelastic matrix. It is also assumed that the spatial distribution of the inclusions in the composite is known or can be determined. Zevin’s method of iterative functions is proposed for the determination of the matrix properties. Following a detailed explanation of the proposed scheme, a numerical verification is performed using three-dimensional finite-element (FE) analysis simulations. The proposed scheme was applied to the experimentally obtained creep compliance of the asphalt concrete beam. The obtained viscoelastic properties of the asphalt binder matrix phase were used as input into the FE model to simulate the behavior of the composite beam. An excellent comparison between the experimental data and the predicted beam deflections was observed. This shows that the proposed method is robust and it can be implemented to solve identification problems for viscoelastic composite materials.     

Use of an Infrared Joint Heater to Improve Longitudinal Joint Performance in Hot Mix Asphalt Pavements

Longitudinal joint cracking is one of the most prevalent forms of distress in asphalt concrete pavements. The joint area does not achieve the same density as the mat due to an unconfined edge on the initial pass and a cold joint during the second pass. The lower density allows water to penetrate and the material cracks, usually within one?year of construction. There are many techniques for constructing longitudinal joints, one being to preheat the joint prior to paving the second lane. This paper describes a field study conducted in New Hampshire using an infrared joint heater. Thermocouples were embedded in the pavement to determine the extent of heat penetration from the infrared heaters. Cores were taken along the joint and in the travel lanes for both the control and test sections. Density and strength measurements were taken on the cores. Permeability measurements along the control and test joints were performed. A cracking survey performed one?year after construction showed that the section of pavement where the infrared heater was used had significantly less cracking than the control section.     

Thermal Cracking of Viscoelastic Asphalt-Concrete Pavement

This paper studies the thermal cracking of asphalt-concrete pavements using a semianalytical model that accounts for the multiscale nature of the thermal cracking phenomenon, the viscoelasticity of asphalt-concrete, and the frictional constraint on the pavement interface. This paper extends previous work to include the effects of asphalt-concrete viscoelasticity and to include a study of the effects of the major parameters. Numerical simulations lead to almost uniformly spaced thermal cracks, similar to field observations of real flexible pavement structures. A parameter study shows that material homogeneity, asphalt-concrete ductility, frictional constraint on the interface, and rate of cooling significantly influence the thermal cracking of asphalt-concrete pavements.