2015 - Canada - Numerical Modelling of Thermal Cracking in Pavements

Thermal cracking of pavements may occur due to the top of the pavement being exposed to cold atmospheric conditions. The formation of cracks may cause a deterioration of ride quality and ingress of water to the base. Developing of capabilities to model thermal cracking of pavements is beneficial because it will allow the assessment of susceptibility of pavement materials and geometries to thermal cracking. Fracture resistant asphalt mixtures can then be identified. A methodology is proposed by which numerical modelling of thermal cracking of pavements is carried out using the distinct element method and cohesive cracks. The distinct element method efficiently handles the subdivision of the originally intact material. The cohesive crack method allows the inclusion of experimentally determinable fracture properties into the formulation. Results obtained were consistent with an analytical model available in literature. Thermal cracking observed in a field experiment could then be numerically replicated.