Initial Cooling of Asphaltic Concrete Mats

A simple method is presented for predicting the rate at which a newly placed asphaltic concrete mat cools under a given set of environmental conditions. Application of this method facilitates decisions on a daily basis, on whether or not to proceed with paving operations under marginal weather conditions specific to a construction site. Thermophysical properties of asphaltic concrete and pavement base materials are considered, together with heat transfer variables including conduction, convection, radiation, wind velocity, solar flux, and cloud cover. Mathematical development of existing numerical calculation methods permits solution of the heat transfer equations in the field with a hand-held programmable calculator.