Predicting fatigue service life reductions of asphalt pavements due to deficiency in design-level values of effective binder content

Abstract

The focus of this study is the evaluation of the effects of deficiencies in design-level values of effective binder content (Δ Vbe) on the top-down (TD) and bottom-up (BU) fatigue cracking performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures using AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design structural simulation program. Using an analytical–mathematical-based methodology, this study also aims to predict the reduction in fatigue service life (i.e., TD, and BU fatigue cracking) of asphalt pavements that are most sensitive to the variation (Δ Vbe). Two types of mixes with varying levels of Vbe are used to simulate the fatigue cracking performance of a full-depth (FD) pavement structure. For each of the three studied cases, one asphalt course has a variable value of Vbe, while the two other courses have a fixed value of Vbe. Results indicate that the Δ Vbe of 3% reduced 50%–70% of fatigue cracking service life. Additionally, Pavement ME shows a limitation to account for the effect of Vbe in the intermediate course on the BU fatigue cracking.