Fatigue damage analysis of composite base asphalt pavement structure based on change of ambient temperature

In order to analyze the fatigue characteristics of composite base asphalt pavement structure under the change of ambient temperature, the impact of Hechi temperatures of each month in Guangxi and seasonal variations of subgrade resilient modulus were considered, and three kinds of asphalt pavement structures on composite base were put forward. With ABAQUS software, two states between layers were considered, and the temperature field, strain response and the cumulative fatigue damage of four pavement structures were calculated and analyzed. By monitoring results of temperature sensors and strain gauges with straight road tests, simulation models were used to calculate fatigue damage of asphalt layer. The results indicate that the strain response with different temperature fields in each month in asphalt pavement is varied. When the temperature increases, the tensile strain at the bottom of asphalt layer increases. The fatigue damage in different seasons is varied and has high proportion in high temperature season. Based on the ambient temperature change considerations, the temperature sensitivity of scheme B is the smallest (scheme B means composite base asphalt pavement which is made of cement stabilized, graded gravel for the base layer and large size asphalt macadam mixture layer), and its fatigue damage is the minimum. The research results can provide reference for choosing good pavement structure on composite base. ©, 2015, Zhongnan Daxue Xuebao (Ziran Kexue Ban)/Journal of Central South University (Science and Technology). All right reserved.