Accelerated testing of an asphalt pavement with the third-scale model mobile load simulator (MMLS3)

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT:Accelerated pavement testing (APT) is the application of a wheel loading, to a prototypeor actual layered, structural pavement system to determine pavement response andperformance under controlled, accelerated accumulation of damage in a compressed timeperiod. It is a tool used for the evaluation of performance of new pavement materials,distress mechanisms, pavement distress, and selection of rehabilitation strategies. In thisstudy, the research work that was done in Jacksboro, Texas (USA) with the third-scaleModel Mobile Load Simulator (MMLS3) as part of the APT programme of the TexasDepartment of Transportation (TxDOT) is presented. The primary objective was toevaluate the performance ofthe different asphalt concrete (AC) materials (Dustrol andRemixer) used on highway US 281, in terms of rutting and distress due to wet trafficking.The other objective was to investigate the difference in rutting between the MMLS3 andthe full-scale Texas Mobile Load Simulator (TxMLS). The scope of the study includedfieldwork, laboratory work and theoretical analysis.On average, the performance of the layer from the Dustrol process was found to be poorerthan that of the Remixer process. The Dustrol process was more susceptible to moisturedamage and less resistant to permanent deformation compared to the Remixer process.The MMLS3 and TxMLS permanent deformations in the upper 90 mm surface layerscorrelated well in terms of the respective vertical stresses imposed by the two APTdevices, after allowing for the difference in environmental conditions during trafficking.Overall, the study demonstrated that the MMLS3, used in conjunction with nondestructivefield and laboratory testing, is a significant cost-effective APT device that canbe used for evaluating the response and performance of the (surface) layers of full-scale,in-service pavements.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University