摘要: |
The in situ moduli of unbound pavement materials vary on a seasonal basis as a function of temperature and moisture conditions. Knowledge of these variations is required for accurate prediction of pavement life for pavement design and other pavement management activities. The primary objective of this study is to advance the rational estimation of seasonal variations in backcalculated pavement layer moduli using data collected via the Seasonal Monitoring Program of the Long-Term Pavement Performance Program. Principal components of this endeavor included: evaluation of the moisture predictive capabilities of the Enhanced Integrated Climatic Model (EICM); development of empirical models to predict backcalculated pavement layer moduli as a function of moisture content, stress state, and other explanatory variables; and trial application of the models developed to prediction backcalculated moduli for unbound pavement layers. This investigation yielded two key findings. First, it provided the impetus for developing EICM Version 2.6 by demonstrating the practical inadequacies of EICM Versions 2.0 and 2.1 when applied to the prediction of in situ moisture content, and then demonstrated that substantial improvement in the moisture predictive capability of the EICM had been achieved in Version 2.6. Second, the research identified fundamental discrepancies between layer moduli backcalculated using linear-layered elastic theory and the laboratory resilient modulus test conditions. Other important findings included (1) variation in moisture content is not always the most important factor associated with seasonal variations in pavement layer moduli, and (2) a model form that fits linear elastic backcalculated moduli reasonably well. The overall accuracy of the modulus predictions achieved in the trial application of the predictive models was not fully acceptable. Several avenues for further research to improve upon these results are identified. / Availability Note: Order this product from NTIS by: phone at 1-800-553-NTIS (U.S. customers); (703)605-6000 (other countries); fax at (703)605-6900; and email at orders@ntis.gov. NTIS is located at 5285 Port Royal Road, Springfield, VA, 22161, USA. |