Assessment of Thermal Stresses in Asphalt Pavements Due To Environmental Conditions

Temperature fluctuations in asphalt pavements significantly affect pavement stability and the selection of asphalt grading. Ability to accurately predict asphalt pavement temperatures at different depths and horizontal locations based on environmental conditions will greatly help pavement engineers not only in the selection of the asphalt grade to be used in various pavement lifts, but also in the accurate assessment of thermal stresses in and between various asphalt lifts. This is especially critical when the asphalt pavement is exposed to extreme freeze and thaw conditions. Accurate knowledge of the temperature and thermal stress distribution in asphalt pavements will allow for a more sophisticated specification of asphalt binder grades for lower lifts and thus provide an economical solution to rising pavement construction costs. This report is Phase II of a previous MPC research project (MPC Report No. 02-136) that developed a computer model using a transient, two-dimensional finite volume approach to mathematically describe the thermal response of asphalt pavements due to thermal environmental conditions on an hourly basis. The main objective of Phase II research is to expand the capabilities of the computer model to include the thermal effects of precipitation and to study the impact of the tilt angle from the horizontal of an asphalt pavement on asphalt temperature predictions. With the expanded capabilities of the computer model, it will be possible to develop preliminary thermal stress maps of asphalt pavements during seasonal and diurnal freeze/thaw cycles.

• Record URL:
  https://www.ugpti.org/resources/reports/details.php?id=543
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This research was funded by the U.S. Department of Transportation, University Transportation Centers Program.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Wyoming, Laramie

  Department of Civil and Architectural Engineering
  1000 East University Avenue
  Laramie, WY  United States  82071

  Mountain-Plains Consortium

  North Dakota State University
  Fargo, ND  United States  58108
• Authors:
  • Yavuzturk, C
  • Ksaibati, K
• Publication Date: 2006-4

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Bibliography; Figures; References;
• Pagination: 53p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Bituminous binders; Computer models; Costs; Environmental impacts; Precipitation (Meteorology); Road construction; Temperature; Thermal stresses
• Uncontrolled Terms: Asphalt grading; Freeze thaw cycles; Tilt angle
• Subject Areas: Design; Environment; Finance; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01030699
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: MPC Report No. 06-181
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Aug 10 2006 10:44AM