Measurement and Analysis of Flexible Pavement Thermal-Induced Strains

The focus of this study was to quantify the asphalt strain amplitude that occurs in flexible pavements as a result of thermal loading. A state-of-the-art field monitoring program was developed at the Centre for Pavement and Transportation Technology (CPATT) test facility to measure flexible pavement response to thermal loads. Asphalt temperature and longitudinal strain collected over a two years monitoring program were analyzed to interpret pavement response to thermal loads. Daily strain fluctuations as high as 650ƒÝm/m and the irrecoverable strain as high as 2500ƒÝm/m per year were observed during 2004-2005 and 2005-2006.