Evaluation of polymer grid reinforced asphalt pavement from the circular test track

Through a simple performance dynamic modulus test (SPT), standard rutting test, Hamburg rutting test, French rutting test and asphalt pavement analyzer rutting test, the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures in the middle and lower courses of three semi-rigid base asphalt pavement of Beijing full-scale test track road in China was evaluated. The test results show that the rutting resistance of asphalt mixtures of the middle and lower courses can be greatly improved by using low-grade asphalt, especially 30# asphalt. The rutting resistance of SBS modified asphalt mixtures is also better. The SPT dynamic modulus test can indirectly characterize the rutting performance of the asphalt mixture. The rutting test results of a laser road detection vehicle and 3 m ruler show that the asphalt grade has a significant impact on the rutting performance of semi-rigid base asphalt pavement. Compared with 70# asphalt used in the middle and lower courses, the rutting resistance of the pavement structure can be improved by more than 20%. The result also show that the APA rutting test results can closely characterize the full-scale test track results, which is an optimal test method for evaluating the rutting performance of semi-rigid base asphalt pavement. The research results can provide a theoretical basis and reference for the rational design and rutting evaluation of semi-rigid base asphalt pavement.

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Further Evaluation of Limiting Strain Criteria for Perpetual Asphalt Pavement Design

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.3141/2640-05 ◽

2017 ◽

Vol 2640 (1) ◽

pp. 41-48 ◽

Cited By ~ 2

Author(s):

Alfredo J. Castro ◽

Nam Tran ◽

Mary Robbins ◽

David H. Timm ◽

Chris Wagner

Keyword(s):

Asphalt Concrete ◽

Asphalt Pavement ◽

Fatigue Cracking ◽

Pavement Design ◽

Threshold Values ◽

Bottom Up ◽

Test Track ◽

Climatic Regions ◽

Concrete Layer ◽

Perpetual Pavement

Perpetual asphalt pavements have been designed with single threshold values for the horizontal strains at the bottom of the asphalt concrete layer and for vertical strains on top of the subgrade to prevent the occurrence of bottom-up fatigue cracking and subgrade rutting. Several thresholds have been utilized for design based on laboratory and field test results. Limiting strain distributions were recently proposed for perpetual pavement design instead of single threshold values for controlling the horizontal and vertical strains. These design criteria were developed with data collected from test sections at the National Center for Asphalt Technology pavement test track. The objective of this study was to conduct additional analyses of eight perpetual pavement sections located in different climatic regions, to support the proposed limiting strain criteria. These sections were simulated in the PerRoad perpetual pavement design software to determine the horizontal strains at the bottom of the asphalt concrete layer and the vertical strains on top of the subgrade. The strains were then analyzed to evaluate the proposed limiting strain criteria. Based on the simulations, the limiting horizontal strain distribution above the 60th percentile can effectively differentiate the calculated strain distributions of the eight perpetual pavement sections from those of the test sections that failed due to bottom-up fatigue cracking on the test track. In addition, the calculated vertical strains on top of the subgrade at the 50th percentile were lower than the proposed 200-microstrain limit. These results provide additional support for utilizing the proposed strain criteria in perpetual asphalt pavement design.

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