Temperature and moisture variation in pavement structures of the test road

Abstract

Environmental conditions (temperature, moisture, intensity of sun, etc.) influence variation in asphalt pavement strength during the year. Lithuania is situated in a zone of cool average climate characterized by average warm summers and average cold winters. One of the most important climatic factors is the air temperature variation per day. In order to evaluate the dependence of road pavement strength on temperature and the dependence of Eo modulus of separate layers on seasonal factors a comprehensive research was carried out on the unique Test Road section that was constructed in 2007 in Lithuania and is operated almost for 8 years. This road is affected by real climatic conditions and high intensity heavy vehicle traffic. It consists of 27 different flexible pavement structures with the same class of pavement structure but the different type and composition of materials and all necessary electronic sensors (loop profilers, temperature and moisture sensors, stress and strain transducers). Temperature and moisture sensors are installed in 4 different pavement structures. In order to analyse behaviour of asphalt pavement structure under Lithuanian climatic conditions, taking into account temperature and moisture, as one of the most important climatic factors influencing structural strength of road asphalt pavement, the experimental research was carried out and results are presented in the article.