ABSTRACT
The performance of asphalt pavements is greatly influenced by environmental conditions. Thus, accurate prediction of the temperature distribution within the pavement structure is important. Libya is facing the problem of rutting and fatigue cracking in asphaltic concrete due to extreme weather conditions and heavy traffic loadings. It was necessary to determine specific asphalt performance grades for Libyan roads. Pavement monitoring stations were set-up at eight locations in Libya, where air and pavement temperature, wind speed and solar radiation were recorded. Regression analysis, using collected data was used to develop the minimum and maximum pavement temperature models, specific for Libyan Desert. Using developed regression models and collected temperature data for previous 10 years, the binder performance grade for Libyan road network was developed. The study area was divided into different performance grade zones. A temperature zoning map, at 99,9% reliability for wearing course and binder course layer has been proposed.
