Study on the characterization method of dynamic modulus for asphalt mixture under multi-factor coupling conditions

Abstract

In the actual service process of asphalt pavement, the dynamic response of the pavement structure layer is induced by vehicle loads. The dynamic modulus is a crucial parameter for analyzing the mechanical response of asphalt pavement. Due to significant influences from temperature and loading frequency on test measurements, along with its time-temperature equivalence, it becomes imperative to investigate the behavior of dynamic modulus under different temperature frequencies. Furthermore, laboratory loading modes also exert substantial effects on dynamic modulus. Employing different loading modes during measurement often leads to significantly varied stress states in specimens, yielding distinct values for dynamic modulus. Therefore, this study conducts dynamic modulus tests using direct tension, uniaxial compression, and indirect tension under five test temperatures and six loading frequencies while examining its variations under different stress states and temperature frequencies. The corresponding master curves and prediction models of dynamic modulus are derived, providing a valuable reference for predicting the dynamic modulus under wide-area test conditions. Through comparative analysis of dynamic modulus values at different stress levels, the stress level is incorporated into the master curve to establish corresponding master curves of dynamic modulus. By applying relevant theories and research on time-temperature equivalence, we obtained dynamic modulus master curves for three loading modes by fitting and analyzing dynamic modulus test data at various temperatures and loading frequencies. Combining the Sigmoid model and Williams-Landel-Ferry(WLF) equation, we derived prediction models for dynamic modulus under three loading modes. Comparative analysis of dynamic modulus values under these three loading modes allowed us to establish transformation equations for the prediction models in different loading scenarios. Finally, representative dynamic modulus values for permanent deformation in typical pavement structure layers were predicted based on laboratory test results and the derived models. The research findings presented in this paper have significant implications in eliminating the influence of loading modes on dynamic modulus predictions, establishing a unified prediction model, and providing essential parameters for predicting permanent deformation and fatigue life equivalent temperature.