Characterization of Fatigue Performance of WesTrack Pavement Using Work Potential Theory

ABSTRACT Superior Performing Asphalt Pavement (SuperPave) is the final product of SHRP asphalt research program and has been adopted by most of the state highway agencies in the united states. However, results from a well-controlled experimental construction project, WesTrack, are against SuperPave volumetric design method. For WesTrack pavements, the asphalt mixes with fine gradation performed than mixes with coarse gradation better in terms of both rutting and fatigue cracking, which is opposite to the recommendation of SuperPave mix design method. Many researchers failed to characterize the fatigue performance of WesTrack pavement with traditional methods. In this study, Schapery's work potential theory was applied to investigate the fatigue performance mechanism of WesTrack pavement. Laboratory-fabricated specimen and field core of WesTrack mixtures were tested using indirect tensile strength test. Fracture energy of work potential theory was found to be highly correlated with the field performance of WesTrack pavement.