Rutting prediction of nanomaterial modified asphalt concrete using FEM simulation

The objective of this paper is to propose a rutting prediction method of nano-modified asphalt concrete. The nano-modifier consists of nano-organobentonite, nano-SiO₂ and SBS. A viscoelastic-viscoplastic damage constitutive model is utilized to characterize the mechanical behaviour of the modified asphalt concrete. Finite element simulations of rutting tests are conducted and the results are compared with laboratory wheel tracking tests to verify the validity of the rutting prediction method. Then real pavement structures are modelled in ABAQUS software and rutting is simulated using the proposed prediction method. The development of rutting is studied and the rut depth of an asphalt pavement under different loading conditions and temperatures is calculated. The FEM simulation results exhibit a good agreement with laboratory experiments. The results of the rutting prediction indicate that both the loading level and temperature have a significant effect on the development of rutting.