Thermal Cracking Prediction Model and Software for Asphalt Pavements

Thermally induced cracking in asphalt pavements remains to be one of the prominent distress mechanisms in regions with cooler climates. At present, the AASHTO Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) is the most widely deployed pavement analysis and design procedure. For thermal cracking predictions, MEPDG utilizes a simplified one-dimensional stress evaluation model with a simple Paris-law (i.e. linear elastic fracture mechanics) based crack propagation procedure. The user-friendly graphical interface for MEPDG makes it an attractive design procedure of choice, however, the over simplicity of the model and lack of a physics-based representation to accurately capture the nonlinear fracture behavior of rate-dependent asphalt concrete reduce(s) the reliability of predictions. This study presents an interactive thermal cracking prediction model that utilizes a nonlinear finite element based thermal cracking analysis engine which can be easily employed using a user-friendly graphical interface. The analysis engine is comprised of (1) the cohesive zone fracture model for accurate simulation of crack initiation and propagation due to thermal loading and (2) the viscoelastic material model for time and temperature dependent bulk material behavior. The graphical user interface (GUI) is designed to be highly interactive and user-friendly in nature, and features screen layouts similar to those used in the AASHTO MEPDG, thus minimizing transition time for the user. This paper describes the individual components of the low temperature cracking prediction software (called LTC Model) including details on the graphical user interface, viscoelastic finite element analysis, cohesive zone fracture model, and integration of various software components for thermal cracking predictions.

• Record URL:
  • https://doi.org/10.1061/41167(398)64
• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/isbn/9780784411674
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Copyright © 2011 ASCE
• Corporate Authors:

  American Society of Civil Engineers

  1801 Alexander Bell Drive
  Reston, VA  United States  20191-4400
• Authors:
  • Dave, Eshan V.
  • Leon, Sofie
  • Park, Kyoungsoo
• Conference:
  • First Congress of Transportation and Development Institute (TDI)
  • Location: Chicago IL, United States
  • Date: 2011-3-13 to 2011-3-16
• Publication Date: 2011

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Monograph Title: Transportation and Development Institute Congress 2011 : Integrated Transportation and Development for a Better Tomorrow

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Cracking; Field tests; Finite element method; Fracture mechanics; Graphical user interfaces; Mathematical models; Mathematical prediction; Pavement design; Pavement maintenance; Stress cracking; Thermal properties; Viscoelasticity
• Identifier Terms: Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide
• Subject Areas: Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces; I32: Concrete;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01347231
• Record Type: Publication
• ISBN: 9780784411674
• Files: TRIS, ASCE
• Created Date: Aug 8 2011 2:10PM