Incremental Model for Prediction of Permanent Deformation of Asphalt Concrete in Compression

Permanent deformation (rutting) is one of the major distresses in asphalt pavement. To predict permanent deformation of asphalt concrete, repeated creep and recovery (or flow number) tests are typically used in the laboratory. However, models for the prediction of permanent deformation that incorporate flow number testing cannot represent the primary region because they concentrate on the secondary region. A new simple permanent deformation model called the incremental model is proposed. The proposed model is derived from the rate model, which is a rigorous mechanical model based on viscoplasticity. Four parameters of the new model provide an understanding of the permanent deformation. Parameter A is related to the initial permanent strain level, and Parameter C provides information about where the secondary region starts. That is, Parameters A and C govern the primary region, where α (alpha) is the slope of the secondary region, and B represents the permanent deformation level of the secondary region. Two mixtures are selected to investigate the deformation characteristics, and repeated creep and recovery tests are performed in compression. The incremental model is verified by applying it to various loading conditions for two mixtures. Furthermore, it is found that α is the material constant and the time-temperature superposition principle is applicable to each parameter. All parameters, except a, depend on both deviatoric stress and reduced load time, which is the product of load time and temperature. The incremental model describes ways to apply the time-temperature supposition principle to permanent deformation.