Dynamic Behavior and Performance Analysis of Asphalt Pavement in Areas with Extreme Seasonal Variation in Temperature

Abstract

This paper describes a three-dimensional finite element (FE) model analysis to predict the viscoelastic pavement responses to vehicular loading in areas with extreme seasonal variation in temperature. Two different kinds of asphalt pavement structures, one with a semirigid base layer and another with a granular base layer, were used in FE modeling. To accurately calculate critical pavement responses, the temperature distribution within the pavement layers was predicted in summer and winter. Three factors affecting pavement responses were considered: loading amplitude, vehicle speed, and layer-interface bonding conditions. Findings of this study showed that loading magnitude had a significant impact on pavement responses, whereas vehicle speed had less effect on pavement responses. Besides this, once interface bonding conditions improved, pavement responses decreased significantly. Moreover, pavement with semirigid base is more susceptible to structural failure than pavement with the granular base under varying seasonal temperature conditions. Fatigue life analysis results revealed that although pavement with semirigid base was more durable than pavement with the granular base, its fatigue life varies considerably under different temperature conditions. Overall, findings of this study justified better environmental adaptability and stable performance of pavement structure with the granular base layer in areas with the significant seasonal change in temperature.