PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to develop a simple regression model in designing the asphalt concrete (AC) overlay thickness using the Mechanistic-empirical pavement design guide (MEPDG) program. METHODS: To establish the AC overlay design equation, multiple regression analyses were performed based on the synthetic database for AC thickness design, which was generated using the MEPDG program. The climate in Seoul city, a modified Hirsh model for determining dynamic modulus of asphalt material, and a new damaged master curve approach were used in this study. Meanwhile, the proposed rutting model developed in Seoul city was then used to calibrate the rutting model in the MEPDG program. The AC overlay design equation is a function of the total AC thickness, the ratio of AC overlay thickness and existing AC thickness, the ratio of existing AC modulus and AC overlay modulus, the subgrade condition, and the annual average daily truck traffic (AADTT). RESULTS: The regression model was verified by comparing the predicted AC thickness, the AADTT from the model and the MEPDG. The regression model shows a correlation coefficient of 0.98 in determining the AC thickness and 0.97 in determining AADTT. In addition, the data in Seoul city was used to validate the regression model. The result shows that correlation coefficient between the predicted and measured AADTT is 0.64. This indicates that the current model is more accuracy than the previous study which showed a correlation coefficient of 0.427. CONCLUSIONS: The high correlation coefficient values indicate that the regression equations can predict the AC thickness accurately.

A permanent deformation model for asphalt concrete (AC) layers based on shear properties is developed and calibrated in this study. The indirect tensile (IDT) strength and uniaxial compressive strength (UCS) were used to determine the cohesion and friction angle of asphalt mixtures. Five types of asphalt mixtures with various air-void and binder contents are tested under different loadings and temperature conditions. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to develop permanent deformation model of asphalt mixtures which is a function of the air void, binder content, stress, and number of load cycles, temperature, and frequency. The regression model was verified by comparing the predicted and measured plastic strain. It was found out that the regression model has a correlation coefficient of 0.96 in determining plastic strain. Through the field WesTrack database, the permanent deformation model was calibrated to be applied to AC layers. After calibration, it is observed that the correlation coefficient is 0.86 for the measured and predicted rut depth. Finally, the model is validated using the field rutting performance obtained from Long Term Pavement Performance (LTPP) data sets. Based on the validation study, it can be concluded that the proposed model can successfully predict the permanent deformation of various asphalt mixtures in a wide range of loadings and temperature conditions in the field.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to analyze the performance of anti-stripping agent depending on its type and content to reduce pothole, an increasing pavement distress due to abnormal climate intensity. METHODS : In the past years, U.S and many countries in Europe use hydrated lime and liquid anti-stripping agent in asphalt mixtures. Hydrated lime or liquid anti-stripping agent is substituted for filler and binder, respectively, to improve the anti-stripping property of asphalt mixtures. To investigate this, indirect tensile strength test was performed and TSR values were compared for different content of hydrated lime and types of liquid anti-stripping agent in asphalt mixture. RESULTS : Test results indicate that hydrated lime remarkably increased the asphalt mixture performance on anti-stripping denoted by the increased in TSR values from 55% to 100%. Liquid anti-stripping agent also increased the value of TSR but not significant. In addition, depending on the types of aggregate, TSR values and effect of liquid anti-stripping were different. CONCLUSIONS : Using anti-stripping agents improve the anti-stripping property of asphalt mixture especially hydrated lime; however, more experiments should be conducted to improve the reliability about the effect of liquid anti-stripping agent.

PURPOSES : The objective of this study is to evaluate the mechanical characteristics of castor oil based bio-polymer concrete for use of ultra thin overlays. METHODS : To evaluate the mechanical properties of bio-polymer concrete, the various laboratory tests including compressive, tensile, and flexural strength, and elongation tests were conducted on bio-polymer concrete specimens in this study. The mechanical characteristics of bio-polymer concretes were examined by changing the content of hardener and polymer binder to determine the optimum content for ultra-thin overlays. The bio-polymer concrete developed in this study was used for field trial test of the ultra-thin bridge deck pavement for verifying the workability and monitoring the long-term performance of materials. RESULTS : Test results showed that tensile and the flexural strength of bio-polymer concretes increase and the elongation of bio-polymer concrete decreases with increase of binder content. A field adhesive strength tests conducted on bridge deck pavement indicates the bio-polymer concrete has more than 2MPa of adhesive strength satisfy with the design criteria. CONCLUSIONS : The bio-polymer concrete with more than 20% content of castor oil was developed for ultra-thin overlays in this study. It is found from this study that the 35% of hardener content is most appropriate for maintaining the strength characteristics and flexibility.