Rut depth evaluation of rubberized asphalt mixtures derived from laboratory results with Finite Element Modeling

Recent research indicates that crumb rubber can improve dynamic properties and mechanical performance of Hot Mix Asphalt. In recent years, engineers and researchers have tried to gain procedures for evaluation of pavement behavior that is influenced by multiple factors. Because of the traffic load and speed increase and negative effects of pavement failure on the economic and social devastation, pavement engineers have obtained analytical and numerical methods. One of the most common failure modes of the pavement is rutting that the crumb rubber can reduce it. On the other hand, numerical methods have proven their capabilities in the field of accurate assessment of pavement systems. Objective of this research is Wheel Track test simulation using Two-dimensional (2D) and three-dimensional (3D) Finite Element Method simultaneously based on experimental results to rutting phenomenon modeling of rubberized asphalt. The Hamburg Wheel Rut Tester (HWRT) is used in this research for asphalt laboratory accelerated rutting resistance testing, and for calibration of material parameters developed in repeated load axial test (RLA). To achieve research goals, ABAQUS software is used. Comparing of the predicted rutting results in software with measured rutting results in wheel track test shows that difference between these two amounts for 3D and 2D modeling mode is 11.5% and 13.5% respectively. This amount of difference has a good reputation for the model presented in this study, based on previous studies.