Part 2: Pavement Strength and Deformation Characteristics: Validation of Material-Level Performance Models: Using the Third-Scale Model Mobile Loading Simulator

A mechanistic pavement analysis with laboratory fatigue cracking and rutting models was validated with the response and performance measured from asphalt pavements. Asphalt pavements with different air void contents were tested using the third-scale Model Mobile Loading Simulator (MMLS3). The fatigue life prediction algorithm adopts a cumulative damage analysis; the permanent deformation prediction algorithm uses a sublayering method. These algorithms, which are similar to the ones adopted in the NCHRP 1-37A Mechanistic-Empirical Pavement Design Guide (MEPDG), account for the loading rate and temperature variation along the depth of the pavements. The major difference between the algorithms used in this study and the ones in the MEPDG is that the difference in loading frequencies between the laboratory test method and the MMLS3 test was accounted for in this study using the time-temperature superposition principle with growing damage. The predictions of fatigue life and permanent deformation growth in the...