Thermomechanical characterisation of asphalt pavements in laboratory conditions

Abstract

Due to the viscoelastic properties of bituminous concrete, temperature changes result in significant mechanical effects. This paper proposes a method to assess, first, the intrinsic thermophysical parameters (thermal conductivity and heat capacity) of a bituminous mix, and then to characterise its mechanical behaviour by performing complex modulus tests. The determination of thermal properties of bituminous mixtures comes from an inverse analysis using finite-element software. The obtained intrinsic thermal parameters are essential for the fatigue law that depends on the viscous energy dissipation of bituminous concrete.

Keywords:

• bituminous concrete
• viscoelastic
• thermal conductivity
• heat capacity
• fatigue
• modelling

Acknowledgements

The experimental specimens tested in this paper were made and provided by the LAVOC laboratory of the EPFL, in Lausanne, Switzerland. Their contributions are gratefully acknowledged.

Notes

1. [email protected]

2. [email protected]

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Adrien Houel

1 1. [email protected]

André-Gilles Dumont

2 2. [email protected]