Title: A predictive approach of dynamic modulus for characterising Florida hot mix asphalt mixtures

Authors: Enhui Yang; W. Virgil Ping; Yanjun Qiu; Biqing Sheng

Addresses: Department of Highway and Railway Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA ' Department of Highway and Railway Engineering, School of Civil Engineering, Southwest Jiaotong University, Chengdu, Sichuan, China; Highway Engineering Key Laboratory of Sichuan Province, Chengdu, Sichuan, China ' Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Florida State University, 2525 Pottsdamer Street, Tallahassee, FL 32310, USA

Abstract: The dynamic modulus is one of the fundamental properties defining the response of asphalt mixtures in a flexible pavement system. It is an essential input of the Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) software for asphalt pavement design. Many studies have been done about the predictive model of dynamic modulus. This paper presents a comprehensive study about developing a predictive approach of dynamic modulus for characterising the asphalt concrete mixtures used in Florida. A laboratory experimental programme was developed to evaluate 20 selected Superpave asphalt concrete mixtures with a range of aggregates and mix designs. Based on the test results and previous models, a predictive E* approach was constructed to characterise the dynamic modulus of the Florida asphalt concrete mixtures. This study could provide a rational approach for State DOT's to have local implementations of the MEPDG with inputs and calibrations that are specific to their region.

Keywords: forensic engineering; flexible pavement design; hot mix; asphalt mixtures; asphalt concrete mixtures; dynamic modulus; Superpave mix design; MEPDG; predictive modelling; roads; mechanistic-empirical design.

DOI: 10.1504/IJFE.2015.067691

International Journal of Forensic Engineering, 2015 Vol.2 No.3, pp.209 - 230

Received: 01 Mar 2014
Accepted: 12 Nov 2014
Published online: 25 Feb 2015 *

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