Sensitivity Analysis and Determination of the Effects of Asphalt Pavement Thermophysical Properties on the Temperature Field

Abstract

To study the feasibility of actively controlling the asphalt pavement temperature field, a finite element model of the pavement temperature field was developed by using the general-purpose finite element analysis software ABAQUS. The simulations were validated by using data from actual measurements. The regularity of the thermal conductivity, absorption rate, specific heat capacity, and top layer emissivity effects on the high-temperature state during a hot summer was calculated. In particular, the effects of various factors on the daily maximum temperature of the intermediate layer were investigated to determine the rutting attributed to high temperature. The results show that the thermophysical parameters of the top layer significantly affect the temperature field of the pavement structure. Sensitivity analysis shows that the absorption rate has the strongest effect on the daily maximum temperature of the intermediate layer, followed by the thermal conductivity, emissivity, and the specific heat capacity. The pavement temperature field can be actively controlled by improving the thermophysical properties of materials. This research provides a theoretical basis for the development of new materials with the desired thermal properties and for the determination of the optimal distribution of thermal parameters.