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Abstract
This study aims to experimentally validate a 2D finite element model (FEM) in the transient thermal state of a multilayer pavement structure at each given depth. Data model inputs include 15-min values for solar radiation, air temperature and dew temperature, as well as daily values of wind speed obtained from the GEMH-Egletons Laboratory's weather station. This FEM highlights the importance of solar radiation and night-time cooling parameters. A comparison of numerical and experimental results indicates that night-time cooling, despite being often neglected in the literature, is a key parameter for a good surface temperature model, particularly in an arid zone. Also a parameter analysis of this model with various thermal parameters has been made in order to evaluate sensitivity and the main input parameters. The pavement surface is subjected to the strongest temperature variation; hence a good surface temperature assessment provides a key factor for further thermal cracking modelling.