Title: Optimization of the thickness design of asphalt concrete
Abstract: This paper describes a procedure for the optimization of the thickness design of overlays for asphaltic concrete pavements. In the first part of the paper it will be shown that pavement structures can be classified according to: (a) the equivalent layer thickness of the structures, which is calculated according to the theory of odemark; (b) the elastic modulus of the subgrade; (c) the percentage of the surface which shows traffic induced cracking; and (d) the average amount of daily truck traffic. The second part of the paper describes a procedure by which it is possible to estimate the remaining life of the structure. This procedure is based on linear relations which exist between the equivalent layer thickness on one hand and the horizontal tensile strain at the bottom of the asphalt layer or the compressive vertical strain at the top of the subgrade on the other. It will be shown that there is a definite relation between the surface curvature index measured with a falling weight deflectometer and the equivalent layer thickness. The third part of the paper describes the effect of an overlay of a specific type of asphaltic concrete at the equivalent layer thickness and on the asphalt and subgrade strain. The fourth part of the paper describes how the overlay design can be optimized by means of the relations described above. It should be noted that the model is still in the verification phase.
Publication Year: 1980
Publication Date: 1980-08-01
Language: en
Type: article
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