Effect of climate region on field oxidative ageing of asphalt pavements using Multiphysics modelling approaches

It is common to classify bituminous binders according to their workability and performance in a specific range of temperatures. However, the effect of long-term exposure of asphalt concrete roads to high temperatures in the field was not given as much consideration in the design practices and materials selection stage. In this study, climate data for two regions (South Washington State and South Texas State in the USA) and pavement structural and materials information for one road section were collected, then oxidative ageing predictions for one year of field simulation were made using weak form equation-based ageing Multiphysics modelling framework . Results show differences in the oxygen pressure distribution within the asphalt concrete profile with lower oxygen pressure for the warmer region (South Texas). The oxygen consumption rate in the warm region (South Texas) is more significant than that in Washington State due to having a higher temperature profile across the pavement depth. Consequently, carbonyl builds up in Texas at a higher rate than that in Washington even after only one year of field ageing.