Layered Decomposing Method for Dynamic Stability Controlling Criterion of Asphalt-Surface Course

Abstract

This paper proposes an equation to decompose the dynamic stability (DS) and its controlling criterion of an asphalt surface course into DS of the asphalt mixture layer. Wheel tracking tests are conducted on an asphalt mixture and the corresponding surface course. Results are regressed to determine equation coefficients. Various combination schemes of the controlling criterion for DS and thickness are obtained from each layer. Analytical result shows that (1) the decomposition equation can be used to effectively unify the rutting resistance performance between the surfaces and layers of the pavement; (2) the optimum structure combination scheme can be selected from various combination schemes of DS controlling criterion; (3) the obtained DS controlling criterion of each layer considers the layer location of the asphalt mixture and layer thickness. This feature compensates the limitations of current specifications.