Influence of Interlayer Conditions on Structural Responses of Asphalt Pavements

Premature distresses of asphalt pavements such as cracking exist widely in practice due to poor layer-interface conditions. Using non-linear finite element method (FEM) software, this paper analyzed the structural responses of asphalt pavements under combined factors of temperature, horizontal forces and vertical forces. Furthermore, mechanism of premature cracking in various lay-interface conditions was explored in the context of structural responses of pavement system. Research results indicate that: (1) The key structural response under the contact model is greater than the continuous model; (2) Under low temperature condition, with the layer-interface decreasing, the key structural responses increase very slowly. While under the high temperature condition, structural responses increase rapidly. (3) The major distress of asphalt concrete layer is low temperature contracting cracking during low temperature season, while in high temperature summer, the slippage cracking and corrugation of asphalt concrete layer are prone to develop under the combined application of temperature and horizontal loading when the layer-interface conditions is very poor.