A new tire-sensor-pavement coupling chain for investigating asphalt mixture responses under rolling tire loads

Understanding the mechanisms for road surface degradation requires an examination of asphalt layer responses under realistic rolling tire loads. In this study, we proposed a novel tire-sensor-pavement coupling chain for integrating the realistic distribution of tire contact stress into the mechanical modelling of the asphalt layer. The tire contact stress distributions under different tire loading conditions including tire loads and tire inflation pressures are obtained by using a sensor measuring system. The temperature- and frequency-dependent material behaviour of asphalt mixes is described through the VENoL (NOnLinear Viscoelastic) model. The model reliability is validated by numerical/experimental confrontation via a series of complex modulus tests. A new algorithm is developed to achieve the coupling simulation of the tire–pavement interaction system. Finally, the dynamic responses of the asphalt mixture including external force, displacement fields and surface deflection were investigated depending on rolling tire loads. The proposed method provides a fundamental requirement for understanding the structural behaviour of asphalt pavement loaded by rolling tires, which can be used to get insights into asphalt pavement surface design.