An equation-based multiphysics modelling framework for oxidative ageing of asphalt pavements

T800/high-temperature epoxy resin composites with different hole shapes were subjected to hygrothermal ageing and thermal-oxidative ageing, and the effects of these different ageing methods on the open-hole properties of the composites were investigated, including analyses of the mass changes, surface topography changes (before and after ageing), fracture morphologies, open-hole compressive performance, dynamic mechanical properties and infrared spectrum. The results showed that only physical ageing occurred under hygrothermal ageing (70°C and 85% relative humidity), and the equilibrium moisture absorption rate was only approximately 0.72%. In contrast, under thermal-oxidative ageing at 190°C, both physical ageing and chemical ageing occurred. After ageing, the open-hole compressive strength of the composite laminates with different hole shapes decreased significantly, but the open-hole compressive strength after thermal-oxidative ageing was greater than that after hygrothermal ageing. Among the aged and unaged laminates, the laminates with round holes exhibited the largest open-hole compressive strength, followed by those with the elliptical holes, square holes and diamond holes. The failure modes of the laminates were all through-hole failures. The unaged samples had a glass transition temperature ( T g) of 226°C, whereas the T g of the samples after hygrothermal ageing was 208°C, which is 18°C less than that of the unaged samples, and the T g of the samples after thermal-oxidative ageing was 253°C, which is 27°C greater than that of the unaged samples.

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Minnesota Department of Transportation Case Studies for Coreless Asphalt Pavement Compaction Assessment

Transportation Research Record Journal of the Transportation Research Board ◽

10.1177/0361198120907582 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 2674 (2) ◽

pp. 291-301 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Kyle Hoegh ◽

Trevor Steiner ◽

Eyoab Zegeye Teshale ◽

Shongtao Dai

Keyword(s):

Quality Assurance ◽

Ground Truth ◽

Calibration Method ◽

Field Trials ◽

Asphalt Pavements ◽

Attractive Potential ◽

Dielectric Measurements ◽

Statistical Measures ◽

Gyratory Compaction ◽

Air Void

Available methods for assessing hot-mix-asphalt pavements are typically restricted to destructive methods such as coring that damage the pavement and are limited in coverage. Recently, density profiling systems (DPS) have become available with the capability of measuring asphalt compaction continuously, giving instantaneous measurements a few hundred feet behind the final roller of the freshly placed pavement. Further developments of the methods involved with DPS processing have allowed for coreless calibration by correlating dielectric measurements with asphalt specimens fabricated at variable air void contents using superpave gyratory compaction. These developments make DPS technology an attractive potential tool for quality control because of the real-time nature of the results, and quality assurance because of the ability to measure a more statistically significant amount of data as compared with current quality assurance methods such as coring. To test the viability of these recently developed methods for implementation, multiple projects were selected for field trials. Each field trial was used to assess the coreless calibration prediction by comparing with field cores where dielectric measurements were made. Ground truth core validation on each project showed the reasonableness of the coreless calibration method. The validated dielectric to air void prediction curves allowed for assessment of the tested pavements in relation to as-built characteristics, with the DPS providing the equivalent of approximately 100,000 cores per mile. Statistical measures were used to demonstrate how DPS can provide a comprehensive asphalt compaction evaluation that can be used to inform construction-related decisions and has potential as a future quality assurance tool.

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Habitability: a process versus a state variable framework with observational tests and theoretical implications

International Journal of Astrobiology ◽

10.1017/s1473550420000415 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 1-8

Author(s):

A. Lenardic ◽

J. Seales

Keyword(s):

Process Variable ◽

State Variable ◽

Modelling Framework ◽

Meta Level ◽

Planetary Habitability

The term habitable is used to describe planets that can harbour life. Debate exists as to specific conditions that allow for habitability but the use of the term as a planetary variable has become ubiquitous. This paper poses a meta-level question: What type of variable is habitability? Is it akin to temperature, in that it is something that characterizes a planet, or is something that flows through a planet, akin to heat? That is, is habitability a state or a process variable? Forth coming observations can be used to discriminate between these end-member hypotheses. Each has different implications for the factors that lead to differences between planets (e.g. the differences between Earth and Venus). Observational tests can proceed independent of any new modelling of planetary habitability. However, the viability of habitability as a process can influence future modelling. We discuss a specific modelling framework based on anticipating observations that can discriminate between different views of habitability.

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