Permanent deformation properties of asphalt concrete mixtures

Rutting is recognized to be the major distress mechanism in flexible pavements as a result of increase in tire pressures and axle loads. Rutting is caused by the accumulation of permanent deformation in all or some of the layers in the pavement structure. The accumulation of permanent deformation in the asphalt surfacing layer is now recognized to be the major component of rutting in flexible pavements. This is a consequence of increased tire pressures and axle loads, which subjects the asphalt surfacing layer nearest to the tire-pavement contact area to increased stresses. Thus the study of permanent deformation properties of asphalt mixtures has become the focus of research, which aim to mitigate or reduce rutting in flexible pavements. The research work reported in this thesis aims to contribute towards understanding of the material properties and factors affecting permanent deformation in asphalt mixtures, mechanisms of the permanent deformation, and methods of its prediction. The specific objectives of this research work include; review and evaluation of available models for permanent deformation of asphalt concrete mixtures, investigation of the effect of volumetric composition, loading and temperature conditions on the permanent deformation of asphalt concrete, and the identification and definition of simple measures of resistance to permanent deformation. To meet the objectives of the study a laboratory investigation is conducted on several asphalt concrete specimens with varying volumetric composition. Two testing procedures are adopted; the repeated load triaxial and triaxial creep and recovery tests. The tests were conducted at two temperature levels of 25 and 50oC under varying stress conditions. A review of literature on factors affecting permanent deformation and available models for prediction of the permanent deformation is also conducted. The literature review indicated that most of the research work done so far concentrated on evaluation of the effect on permanent deformation response of component material properties such as aggregate gradation, aggregate angularity and binder type (or grade). Most of the studies conducted on permanent deformation properties of asphalt mixtures were also found to be based on different testing procedures and methods of evaluation, which makes it difficult to compare them and draw firm conclusions. The literature also indicated that, as yet, there is no comprehensive model for deformation of asphalt concrete. Results of tests conducted in this study are analysed to investigate the effect of volumetric composition, particularly binder content and void content, and loading conditions on the permanent deformation response of the mixture. Both the binder content and void content are found to significantly influence the permanent deformation characteristics. The effect of loading conditions, i.e., the confining stress and the deviatoric stress, is also found to be significant. Throughout this study emphasis is placed on methods and parameters that are used to evaluate mixtures for their resistance to permanent deformation.The traditionally used parameters such as the slope and intercept of the power model are evaluated for their sensitivities to changes in volumetric composition. This evaluation is based on the premises that any measure of resistance to permanent deformation should be sensitive to changes in volumetric composition to be good enough. It is found that most of these parameters are not sensitive to changes in volumetric composition and therefore are not suitable for comparison of mixtures made from the same materials but with varying proportion of the components. Permanent deformation in asphalt concrete is caused by both densification and shear deformation. The mode of deformation in asphalt concrete pavements, for greater part of their service life, is considered to be the shear deformation. Therefore it is necessary to evaluate mixtures for their susceptibility to shear deformation. The shear deformation manifests itself in the form of large lateral deformation relative to axial deformation. It is found that one dimensional analysis, which does not take the lateral deformation into account may lead to misleading results regarding the resistance to permanent deformation of mixtures. Therefore parameters which include volumetric and lateral strain are proposed for use in evaluation of mixtures. Substantial effort is put into modelling the accumulation of permanent deformation under repeated loading. For this purpose two approaches were selected: the cyclic hardening model based on bounding surface plasticity concept and an elasto-viscoplastic model based on strain decomposition approach. The bounding surface plasticity approach is found to be a convenient method to model the accumulation of permanent deformation. It is demonstrated that deformations calculated using cyclic hardening model based on bounding surface plasticity fits the measured deformation quite well. The elasto-viscoplastic model, which is based on strain decomposition approach, provides a suitable method for analysis of creep and recovery test results. Deformations calculated using this model also fit the measured deformation quite well. Finally a new composite measure of resistance to permanent deformation is developed. The resistance index is based on strain decomposition approach and is simple to calculate. The index incorporates a parameter related to shear susceptibility of mixtures and is sensitive to changes in volumetric composition. It is believed that this index can be used to compare and select mixtures at mixture design stage. If its applicability to other materials is proved by further research, it can also be linked to performance related specifications, as a simple measure of performance with regard to rutting