Rayleigh wave technology for analysis dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures: feasibility and application

ABSTRACT

This study focused on the application of Rayleigh wave technology on a non-destructive determination of dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures. A 3-D finite element numerical algorithm was developed to simulate Rayleigh wave propagation in a multi-layer half-space system. Numerical analysis verified the feasibility of Rayleigh wave technology to capture the mechanical property differences in shallow structures within asphalt pavements. Then, five asphalt mixtures were used in the experimental application of Rayleigh wave technology. A multichannel simulation with one receiver (MSOR) was adopted to generate Rayleigh waves in asphalt mixture samples. Changes in phase velocity-frequency energy spectra and wave velocity were used to evaluate effects of ambient air temperature and asphalt mixture type on wave propagation evolution in asphalt mixtures. Rayleigh wave technology was introduced to dynamic modulus analysis using various experimental temperatures and asphalt mixtures. Obtained modulus was compared with that using impact resonance method to evaluate the prediction precision for analysis dynamic modulus of asphalt mixtures.

KEYWORDS:

• Asphalt mixture
• Rayleigh waves
• FEM model
• propagation characteristic
• dynamic modulus

Acknowledgements

Authors thank Dr Y. Huang (Xijiang Communications Construction Group CO., LTD) for providing the PSPA. Thanks to the anonymous reviewers for many comments that have notably helped us improve the manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

This work was supported by Civil Aviation Administration of China: [Grant Number MHRD 20140107]; National Natural Science Funds of China: [Grant Number 51678207]; National Science Funds of China: [Grant Number U1633201].