Performance evaluation of Eco-friendly asphalt concrete using the Mechanistic Empirical method

Global sensibility to environmental concerns is driving research into the use of eco-compatible materials. In this study, in comparison to a conventional asphalt concrete, two eco-compatible materials, warm mix asphalt and rubberized asphalt concrete, were analyzed as surface layers in two different pavement structures under two different environmental conditions. The pavement performances were simulated using the California Mechanistic Empirical design software (CalME) with model parameters obtained by laboratory test results. The primary purposes of this research are to demonstrate, using CalME, the value of the eco-compatible mixes with regard to their mechanical performances, and to examine the interaction between the performances (fatigue and rutting resistance) of these mixes ,used as surface layer, and the pavement structures