Modulus evolution of asphalt pavement based on full-scale accelerated pavement testing with Mobile Load Simulator 66

Abstract

A full-scale accelerated pavement testing was conducted with Mobile Load Simulator 66 in Chongming Island, Shanghai, to study the performance response of a semi-rigid base asphalt pavement with fine-sand subgrade designed for the G40 construction. As an index sensitive to temperature and load, three different moduli including the seismic modulus, field falling weight deflectometer back-calculation modulus and interior material testing system resilient modulus were all measured during and after the test. The modulus evolution of asphalt pavement with the loading applications, rutting, strain and temperature, and the comparison of three methods for measuring modulus were analysed. There exists a modulus gradient from top to bottom, which can be considered in the pavement design or fatigue life prediction. Because of the strain level differences, the seismic modulus was the largest, followed by back-calculation and resilient modulus; the development of seismic and back-calculation modulus better reflected the anti-deformation changes.

Keywords::

• accelerated pavement testing
• Mobile Load Simulator 66
• asphalt pavement
• seismic modulus
• falling weight deflectometer back-calculation modulus
• material testing system resilient modulus

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to acknowledge the support and contributions of the project sponsors, other participating institutions and their personnel.

Additional information

Funding

The research was supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China [grant nos. 51168044, 41204076], the Postdoctoral Science Foundation of China [grant no. 2013M540756] and the Fundamental Research Funds for the Central Universities [grant no. 0009-2014G2260010].