RUTTING PREDICTION IN ASPHALT CONCRETE PAVEMENTS

Abstract

The state-of-the-art paper summarizes a number of procedures to either limit rutting to some specific amount or to estimate the expected quantity from repetitive traffic loading. Two methods are suggested for estimating permanent deformation from long-term loading. From a design standpoint, the procedue for limiting the rutting to some prescribed amount that is based on a limiting subgrade strain criterion is the procedure that could be used with more confidence since these criteria have been developed from analysis of existing design procedures and field trials. On the other hand, the methodology described for the estimation of the actual amount of rutting from laboratory repeated load or creep tests and either elastic or viscoelastic layered theory will require field documentation before it can be used with confidence. Nevertheless, such procedures can be used to compare alternatives in design by making rutting estimates for pavements made of different materials. /Author/