Determination of a regional map of the equivalent temperature for the design of bituminous pavements in Morocco

ABSTRACT

Equivalent temperature ($T_e$) is one of the most important parameters in the design of asphalt pavement structures. The calculation of this temperature considers the variations in the following parameters: pavement temperature, modulus, and the law of fatigue. In Morocco, the $T_e$ used for pavement design varies between 19 and 25${}^{\circ }$C, depending on the choice of the road manager. The objective of this study is to determine the values of $T_e$ depending on the region. The hourly distribution of roadway temperature was calculated according to the Barber model, which was validated using a reduced model. The temperature values obtained, coupled with data relating to heavy vehicle traffic, make it possible to calculate $T_e$ for different sites representing different regions of the country. The results indicate variations in $T_e$ according to the climatic temperature, law of fatigue, and types and thicknesses of pavement layers. For the various parameters studied, the calculated value of $T_e$ was between 20 and 30${}^{\circ }$C.

KEYWORDS:

• Equivalent temperature
• bituminous pavement
• roadway
• pavements design
• Moroccan climate

Acknowledgments

The authors would like to thank the young engineers S. El Yazidi and W. El Jadid for their contribution to this paper within the framework of their final project. LABOTEST laboratory is also thanked for its contribution to the success of the article.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).