Numerical Modeling of Asphalt Crack Resistance

Over the past few decades, most of the state departments of transportation (DOTs) have used stiffer hot mix asphalt (HMA) to mitigate rutting in early service life. The shift toward stiffer mixes has resulted in asphalt pavements that are more prone to reflective and fatigue cracking. Cracking in asphalt usually results in much faster pavement deterioration rates. The Overlay Tester (OT) has been implemented by the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) to predict an asphalt mix's resistance to cracking. However, most of the research related to the OT test has focused on its variability and its correlations with field performance. The objective of this study is to develop a Discrete Element Model (DEM) of the resistance to cracking exhibited by asphalt mixtures using the Overlay Tester (OT). The model will be developed to study the effect of mix type, aggregate type, and testing temperature. Dense graded Superpave, Porous Friction Course, and Coarse Matrix High Binder mixes will be studied. A wide range of aggregates will be included, such as hard limestone, granite, soft limestone, sandstone, and gravel. X-Ray computed tomography images will be used to account for aggregate distribution and shape properties within the mix. The model will be further implemented into parametric studies to evaluate testing parameters such as: load cycle configurations, notch width and depth, and binder type/grade. Additionally the effect of low temperatures (adverse weather) will be studied numerically, which is capable of providing the interrelated effects of aggregate strength, gradation, shape, and asphalt grade on asphalt mix crack resistance. Approach implementation will be beneficial to state DOT asphalt design programs

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $75882.00
• Contract Numbers:

  DTRT13-G-UTC36

  SPTC 14.1-47

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Research and Innovative Technology Administration

  University Transportation Centers Program
  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Performing Organizations:

  University of Texas, El Paso

  Civil Engineering
  500 West University Avenue
  El Paso, Texas  United States  79968

  University of Texas - Pan American

  Edinburg, TX  United States  78539
• Principal Investigators:

  Nazarian, S

  Mahmoud, Enad

• Start Date: 20141101
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 20161031
• Source Data: RiP Project 38666

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Deterioration; Discrete element method; Hot mix asphalt; Mix design; Overlays (Pavements); Rutting; Service life; Temperature
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Pavements; I30: Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01547902
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: DTRT13-G-UTC36, SPTC 14.1-47
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Dec 17 2014 1:00AM