Experimental validation of laboratory performance models using the third scale accelerated pavement testing

Abstract

Laboratory models for fatigue cracking and permanent deformation growth are validated using the response and performance measured from asphalt pavements with different air void contents under the third scale Model Mobile Loading Simulator (MMLS3). The fatigue life prediction algorithm is developed based on a cumulative damage concept and the algorithm for permanent deformation prediction involves a sub-layering method, dividing a pavement layer into several artificial layers for analysis. These algorithms account for the effects of applied loading rate and temperature variation along the pavement depth. The difference in loading frequencies between the laboratory experiments and the MMLS3 test was taken care of using the time-temperature superposition principle with growing damage. The proposed methodology is found to be reasonable in predicting fatigue life and permanent deformation growth in the MMLS3 tests. It is found that the resulted alliance among the accelerated pavement test, laboratory test, and performance models could serve as a foundation for the successful estimation of pavements’ service life in the future.