Behavior analysis of asphalt mixtures using triaxial test-determined properties

Abstract

The mix design procedure for asphalt mixtures by the Marshall method does not furnish material property parameters that can be used analytically for structural thickness design and performance analysis of pavements. This research illustrates that this missing link can be bridged by the use of laboratory triaxial test-determined properties to characterize asphalt mixtures. By means of finite element analysis using triaxial test-determined properties as input, it is illustrated that the stress-strain behavior of asphalt specimens up to failure can be simulated for the following three loading conditions: triaxial test, Marshall test, and indirect tension test. Laboratory tests involving four different asphalt mixtures are performed to provide the verification data.