Rut Depth Estimation for Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Using Simple Shear Test Results

This paper presents a methodology for estimating rut depths in asphalt concrete pavement structures for use in mechanistic-empirical pavement design and analysis. The procedure utilizes stiffness and plastic strain versus repetitions data obtained from the SHRP-developed repeated load simple shear test conducted at constant height (RSST-CH). To use this methodology, the pavement is assumed to behave as a multilayer elastic system for determination of key stresses and strains to permit rutting estimates to be made at the pavement surface for specific mix types. Influences of temperature and time of loading on the asphalt concrete stiffness are considered in an ad-hoc manner. The paper includes a discussion of the approach used as well as calibrations of the methodology for selected WesTrack pavement sections (those with rutting but no visible fatigue cracking). Specific performance models for three California dense-graded asphalt concrete mixes obtained from calibrations obtained from Heavy Vehicle Simulator tests under controlled temperature conditions are also presented. Results of the use of two of these models to estimate rutting in an in-service pavement near Sacramento, California for which condition data were available are also presented. The methodology is then used to evaluate 17 different pavement sections designed according to the current Caltrans procedure for a range in traffic loadings and checked to ensure that the asphalt concrete thicknesses were adequate to resist fatigue cracking. Results of these analyses performed for three climate regions reflect current Caltrans experience with performance of the mixes used. Appendices to the paper include the description of the development of the performance model from RSST-CH tests on WesTrack mixes and the step by step procedure used to calculate rut depth for a specific pavement structure.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02702932
• Supplemental Notes:
  • This paper is only available on the CD-ROM located in the back of the hardcopy volume.
• Authors:
  • Monismith, Carl L
  • Popescu, Lorina
  • Harvey, John T
• Conference:
  • 2006 Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists: From the Proceedings of the Technical Sessions
  • Location: Savannah Georgia, United States
  • Date: 2006-3-27 to 2006-3-29
• Publication Date: 2006

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: CD-ROM
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: pp 1294-1338
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists
  • Volume: 75
  • Publisher: Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)
  • ISSN: 0270-2932
  • Serial URL: https://www.asphalttechnology.org/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=9169&pk_association_webpage=19109

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt concrete pavements; Climate; Cracking; Depth; Heavy vehicles; Repeated loads; Ruts (Pavements); Rutting; Shear tests; Simulation; Stiffness; Strain (Mechanics); Stresses; Surface course (Pavements); Temperature; Tests; Thickness; Time; Traffic loads
• Identifier Terms: Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide; Strategic Highway Research Program
• Uncontrolled Terms: Layered elastic system; Pavement structure; Plastic strain
• Geographic Terms: Sacramento (California)
• Subject Areas: Design; Freight Transportation; Highways; Pavements; I22: Design of Pavements, Railways and Guideways; I23: Properties of Road Surfaces;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01041432
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jan 30 2007 1:29PM