Modelling of the performance of asphalt pavement using response surface methodology

Response surface methodology (RSM) is a practical and useful statistical procedure to develop empirical models for predicting asphalt pavement properties. In this work three empirical models were developed to predict the load and the flow resistance increment (ΔL and ΔF, respectively) according to ASTM D 5581 [Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 4, Construction, vol. 04.03, Roads and Paving Material; Vehicle-pavement Systems] and the “volatilised material” (VM) according to ASTM D 1188 [Annual Book of ASTM Standards, Section 4, Construction, vol. 04.03, Roads and Paving Material; Vehicle-pavement Systems] via RSM using the obtained properties of the specimens placed in a conventional oven for laboratory aging. In addition a mechanistic–empirical (M–E) model was proposed to describe the increment and decrement in surface course properties due to aging (A). The adequacy of the predicted properties by the models was demonstrated with the cores properties extracted from a pilot road.