Importance of Heterogeneity in Asphalt Pavement Modeling
Publication: Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 144, Issue 8
Abstract
Common practice overlooks the highly heterogeneous nature of asphalt concrete (AC). Doing so equates to disregarding the effect of material properties’ spatial variability on the field behavior of AC mixtures. This paper presents an alternative computational approach to assess the effect of AC heterogeneity on the performance of a pavement structure. Using finite elements, a three-dimensional, flexible pavement structure is subjected to a moving load. Each time the structure is modeled, a unique internal distribution of mechanical properties is assigned to the AC layer. Thus, several simulations of the pavement structure are prepared, modeling a different AC layer each time. Two sets of pavement structures were simulated, considering mechanical properties of the AC layer as having two levels of variability (intermediate and high). The results present qualitative and quantitative estimates of the actual effect of material spatial variability (i.e., the heterogeneity of material properties) on the performance of a flexible pavement structure via strain analyses. The results also highlight the importance of consistency and quality in AC compaction.
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Acknowledgments
The authors sincerely appreciate the kind and continuous support of Dr. Jaime A. Hernández during the development of this study.
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Information
Published In
Journal of Engineering Mechanics
Volume 144 • Issue 8 • August 2018
Copyright
©2018 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Aug 25, 2017
Accepted: Jan 31, 2018
Published online: May 26, 2018
Published in print: Aug 1, 2018
Discussion open until: Oct 26, 2018
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