Masters Degrees (Civil Engineering)

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Browsing Masters Degrees (Civil Engineering) by Subject "Accelerated life testing"

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    Accelerated testing of an asphalt pavement with the third-scale model mobile load simulator (MMLS3)
    (Stellenbosch : Stellenbosch University, 2000-12) Walubita, Lubinda F.; Van de Ven, M. F. C.; Stellenbosch University. Faculty of Engineering. Dept. of Civil Engineering.
    ENGLISH ABSTRACT: Accelerated pavement testing (APT) is the application of a wheel loading, to a prototype or actual layered, structural pavement system to determine pavement response and performance under controlled, accelerated accumulation of damage in a compressed time period. It is a tool used for the evaluation of performance of new pavement materials, distress mechanisms, pavement distress, and selection of rehabilitation strategies. In this study, the research work that was done in Jacksboro, Texas (USA) with the third-scale Model Mobile Load Simulator (MMLS3) as part of the APT programme of the Texas Department of Transportation (TxDOT) is presented. The primary objective was to evaluate the performance ofthe different asphalt concrete (AC) materials (Dustrol and Remixer) used on highway US 281, in terms of rutting and distress due to wet trafficking. The other objective was to investigate the difference in rutting between the MMLS3 and the full-scale Texas Mobile Load Simulator (TxMLS). The scope of the study included fieldwork, laboratory work and theoretical analysis. On average, the performance of the layer from the Dustrol process was found to be poorer than that of the Remixer process. The Dustrol process was more susceptible to moisture damage and less resistant to permanent deformation compared to the Remixer process. The MMLS3 and TxMLS permanent deformations in the upper 90 mm surface layers correlated well in terms of the respective vertical stresses imposed by the two APT devices, after allowing for the difference in environmental conditions during trafficking. Overall, the study demonstrated that the MMLS3, used in conjunction with nondestructive field and laboratory testing, is a significant cost-effective APT device that can be used for evaluating the response and performance of the (surface) layers of full-scale, in-service pavements.