Rut Depth Modeling of Modified and Unmodified Asphalt Mixtures by Using Finite Element Approach

Abstract

Two asphalt cements (PG76-22 and PMB PG76-22) and two aggregate gradations used in the construction of surface and base courses were selected to study their effect on the mixtures’ rutting behavior. A dynamic modulus and wheel tracking tests were performed to determine the rutting potential of asphalt mixtures at different temperature levels. The study revealed that modified asphalt cement (PMB PG76-22) with coarse aggregate gradation (base course) may offer more resistance to rutting than unmodified asphalt with coarse and/or fine aggregate gradation. ABAQUS version 6.14 software was used to estimate the rutting of modified and unmodified asphalt mixtures under various values of CBR for subgrade, complex modulus of asphalt mixtures, temperatures and repeated tire pressures. The goodness between rut depth obtained from wheel track and ABAQUS software were observed. The rut depth model has been developed by analyses of 336 ABAQUS software runs by using SPSS STATISTICS version 23 software.