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Stochastic finite element analysis of moisture damage in hot mix asphalt

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Abstract

Moisture damage is one of the major problems that can be faced by a pavement during its service life. It can tremendously reduce a pavement’s strength and consequently its life. Moisture sensitivity testing of asphalt mixtures is critical for ensuring performance expectations are met. The objective of this paper is to illustrate the use of finite element modeling utilizing mechanistic test results to evaluate the moisture susceptibility and variability of mixtures. In this study, sixteen field procured laboratory compacted mixtures were used. The samples were divided into unconditioned and moisture conditioned samples. Dynamic modulus tests were performed on both moisture conditioned and unconditioned samples. The same samples were then used for flow number testing. The dynamic modulus results were used as input to a finite element model in which stochastic variation of the results were incorporated in the model. The model was validated by the results from the flow number test. The finite element analysis showed that the results’ variability increase with moisture conditioning and that moisture conditioned samples are more susceptible to rutting. Finite element model is a good tool to be combined with the dynamic modulus test to be able to evaluate the moisture susceptibility based on site conditions.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. The American University in Cairo, Cairo, Egypt

    Tamer M. Breakah

  2. Iowa State University, Ames, IA, USA

    R. Christopher Williams

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  1. Tamer M. Breakah
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  2. R. Christopher Williams
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Correspondence to Tamer M. Breakah.

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Breakah, T.M., Williams, R.C. Stochastic finite element analysis of moisture damage in hot mix asphalt. Mater Struct 48, 93–106 (2015). https://doi.org/10.1617/s11527-013-0170-x

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