ABSTRACT
Current Mechanistic-Empirical asphalt pavement design methodologies are based on the evaluation of the mechanical stresses caused by traffic loads and temperature effects. The material characteristics of asphalt strongly depend on temperature and, therefore, it is important to describe the thermal conditions of asphalt pavements during the life span in an accurate way.
In recent years, the influence of climate change on local climatic conditions has grown. Especially, droughts and heat waves in summer have caused significant damage to nature. This is indicative that the changes resulting due to climate change will have a pronounced impact on the temperature conditions of asphalt pavements in the future.
To determine the influences of climate change, numerical simulations were carried out and an extended analysis method for the determination of relevant temperature conditions was developed. With the help of a cluster method, significant profiles (mean temperature profiles) were derived from the hourly temperature states. These profiles take into account the characteristics of the road construction.
Using the method of mean temperature profiles and the design method according to the German ME asphalt pavement design methodology, a detailed analysis of the vulnerability of the transportation infrastructure in Germany was performed. Due to the large variance of local climatic conditions, strongly differing regional effects were determined. A clear north-south gradient was observed for fatigue cracking and development of ruts. Furthermore, it has been identified that climate change has a significant influence on the life span of asphalt pavements in particular regions.
