Simulation of Permanent Deformation in High-Modulus Asphalt Pavement Using the Bailey-Norton Creep Law

Abstract

The objective of this research is to evaluate the permanent deformation of high-modulus asphalt concrete (HMAC) pavement in terms of the viscoelastic theory. Based on the Bailey-Norton creep law, parameters of HMAC were obtained from the creep test. Combined with theses parameters, a finite-element model of a pavement with HMAC in the middle course was constructed and its deformation was simulated. In addition, the impact of HMAC modulus, temperature, and axle load as well as asphaltic thickness on the deformation was analyzed. Results indicate that the deformation of the HMAC pavement was less than that in the asphalt concrete (AC) pavement, and the deformation of the former decreased with the rise of HMAC modulus. Moreover, the optimum modulus ranging from 2,000 to 2,400 MPa is recommended for application. In addition, the pavement deformation increased linearly with depths of the AC courses whereas it decreased with the increase of the HMAC thickness in a cubic polynomial way. Finally, a model to predict rutting in the HMAC pavement is proposed.