Parametric Analysis of Resilient Modulus Modeling for Recycled Asphalt Pavement in Base Layer

Abstract

The resilient modulus (M_R) has been found to be the most important parameter in the Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG) for the base layer. A literature review showed that the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in the base layer had many economic and structural benefits. The prediction of M_R with the specific MEPDG model for the base layer mixed with RAP was found to be reliable for several field conditions. However, further studies of the MEPDG model are needed for an understanding of the physical meaning of each parameter in the model. The most important factor affecting M_R for the base layer is the state of stresses, especially the confining pressure. This type of state of stresses was found in previous research to be more effective than deviator stresses. The present study focuses on the parametric analysis of each constant in the model versus various confining pressure states under various field conditions and at various RAP concentrations. This parametric analysis is compared with the traditional granular coarse aggregates used for the base layer before RAP is used so that any difference in the physical meaning when RAP is mixed in the base layer blend can be determined. The prediction of M_R by the MEPDG model appears to be sound for RAP, but only with confining pressure levels below 10 psi and without significant variation in water content and maximum dry density. Freeze–thaw cycles do not negatively influence the prediction of M_R for both RAP and granular coarse aggregates.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Huang

Pavement Analysis and Design. Prentice Hall, Englewood Cliffs, N.J., 1993.

Attia

M. I. E.

, and Abdelrahman

Effect of State of Stress on the Resilient Modulus of Base Layer Containing Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement. International Journal of Road Materials and Pavement Design, Vol. 12, No. 1, 2011, pp. 79–97.

Attia

M. I. E.

RAP Structural Behavior as Pavement Base Layer. PhD thesis. North Dakota State University, Fargo, 2010.

Noureldin

, and Abdelrahman

Modeling of the Resilient Modulus for Recycled Asphalt Pavement Applications in Base Course Layers. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2371, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2013, pp. 121–132.

ARA, Inc., ERES Consultants Division. Guide for Mechanistic–Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures. Final report, NCHRP Project 1-37A. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2004. http://www.trb.org/mepdg/guide.htm.

Guide for Design of Pavement Structures. AASHTO, Washington, D.C., 1993.

Mohammad

L. N.

, Herath

, Rasoulian

, and Zhongjie

Laboratory Evaluation of Untreated and Treated Pavement Base Materials: Repeated Load Permanent Deformation Test. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1967, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2006, pp. 78–88.

Kim

, Labuz

J. F.

, and Dai

Resilient Modulus of Base Course Containing Recycled Asphalt Pavement. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 2005, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2007, pp. 27–35.

Chehab

G. R.

, and Daniel

J. S.

Evaluating Recycled Asphalt Pavement Mixtures with Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design Guide Level 3 Analysis. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1962, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2006, pp. 90–100.

10.

Andrei

, Witczak

M. W.

, Schwartz

C. W.

, and Uzan

Harmonized Resilient Modulus Test Method for Unbound Pavement Materials. In Transportation Research Record: Journal of the Transportation Research Board, No. 1874, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2004, pp. 29–37.

11.

Witczak

M. W.

, and Uzan

The Universal Airport Pavement Design System. Report I of V: Granular Material Characterization. Department of Civil Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 1988.

12.

Witczak

M. W.

, Andrei

, and Houston

W. N.

Guide for Mechanistic-Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures. Appendix DD-1: Resilient Modulus as Function of Soil Moisture Summary of Predictive Models. Final report, NCHRP Project 1-37 A. TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 2000.

13.

Uzan

Characterization of Granular Material. In Transportation Research Record 1022, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1985, pp. 52–59.

14.

Witczak

M. W.

NCHRP 1-28A: Harmonized Test Methods for Laboratory Determination of Resilient Modulus for Flexible Pavement Design. TRB, National Research Council, 2003.