Viscoelastic Modeling and Field Validation of Flexible Pavements
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 132, Issue 2
Abstract
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.
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Acknowledgments
The financial support provided by the Virginia Department of Transportation and Michelin Americas Research and Development Corporation is greatly appreciated. The experimental work was conducted at Virginia Tech. The writers would like to acknowledge the assistance of I. Janajreh, S. Reubush, A. Loulizi, G. Flintsch, S. Case, B. Hobbs, and S. Lahouar.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 132 • Issue 2 • February 2006
Pages: 172 - 178
Copyright
© 2006 ASCE.
History
Received: Jun 2, 2004
Accepted: Dec 2, 2004
Published online: Feb 1, 2006
Published in print: Feb 2006
Notes
Note. Associate Editor: Arif Masud
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