PREDICTING MAXIMUM PAVEMENT SURFACE TEMPERATURE USING MAXIMUM AIR TEMPERATURE AND HOURLY SOLAR RADIATION

A simple method is proposed to calculate the maximum pavement temperature profile on the basis of maximum air temperature and hourly solar radiation. The method was developed to be used mainly for Strategic Highway Research Program binder and mixture specifications and as a quick method of determining maximum pavement temperature for various regions in the United States and Canada. The method is based on the energy balance at the pavement surface and the resulting temperature equilibrium. Reasonable assumptions are made regarding thermal properties of the asphalt concrete. The accuracy of the method was tested by applying it to some field cases for which measured pavement temperatures were available. In 83% of the cases, the proposed equation predicted the pavement temperature within 3 deg C, which is well within reasonable limits, considering the numerous uncertainties that exist in material properties, accuracy of measurements, variability of environmental factors (wind, sunshine, etc.), and inclination of the pavement surface in receiving radiation.