Modelling of permanent strain of asphalt concrete using the ESSO model

Abstract

The objective of this paper is to present the work to improve the ESSO model used for the prediction of permanent deformation of asphalt mixtures. The ESSO model was first presented in the early 1970s and their formalism is based on intrinsic responses of asphalt mixture samples under cyclic compression tests subjected to critical environmental conditions (stresses, temperature and frequencies) in the context of permanent deformation. To simplify this model, we have integrated the time–temperature superposition principle to eliminate one constants of the ESSO model. With this modification, six experimental tests are now needed instead of nine. Finally, this article presents a new approach to define the ESSO constants. This approach proves to be more representative of the laboratory test used to characterise the ESSO parameters.

Keywords:

• permanent strain
• rutting
• ESSO
• time–temperature superposition principle