Segundo a Agência Nacional de Transportes Terrestres (ANTT) em seu Anuário Estatístico dos Transportes Terrestres AETT (2008), o Brasil em todo o seu território possui 211.678 quilômetros de rodovias pavimentadas. O valor de serventia do pavimento diminui com o passar do tempo por dois fatores principais: o tráfego e as intempéries (BERNUCCI et al., 2008). Monitorar a condição de uso de toda a extensão das rodovias brasileiras é tarefa dispendiosa e demorada. A investigação de novas técnicas que permitam o levantamento da condição dos pavimentos de forma ágil e automática é parte da pesquisa deste trabalho. Nos últimos anos, um número crescente de imagens de alta resolução espacial tem surgido no mercado mundial com o aparecimento dos novos satélites e sensores aeroembarcados de sensoriamento remoto. Da mesma forma, imagens multiespectrais e até mesmo hiperespectrais estão sendo disponibilizadas comercialmente e para pesquisa científica. Neste trabalho são utilizadas imagens hiperespectrais de sensor digital aeroembarcado. Uma metodologia para identificação automática dos pavimentos asfaltados e classificação das principais ocorrências dos defeitos do asfalto foi desenvolvida. A primeira etapa da metodologia é a identificação do asfalto na imagem, utilizando uma classificação híbrida baseada inicialmente em pixel e depois refinada por objetos foi possível a extração da informação de asfalto das imagens disponíveis. A segunda etapa da metodologia é a identificação e classificação das ocorrências dos principais defeitos nos pavimentos flexíveis que são observáveis nas imagens de alta resolução espacial. Esta etapa faz uso intensivo das novas técnicas de classificação de imagens baseadas em objetos. O resultado final é a geração de índices da condição do pavimento, a partir das imagens, que possam ser comparados com os indicadores da qualidade da superfície do pavimento já normatizados pelos órgãos competentes no país. / According to Statistical Survey of Land Transportation AETT (2008) of National Agency of Land Transportation (ANTT), Brazil has in its territory 211,678 kilometers of paved roads. The pavement Present Serviceability Ratio (PSR) value decreases over time by two main factors: traffic and weather (BERNUCCI et al., 2008). Monitor the condition of use of all Brazilian roads is expensive and time consuming task. The investigation of new techniques that allow a quick and automatic survey of pavement condition is part of this research. In recent years, an increasing number of images with high spatial resolution has emerged on the world market with the advent of new remote sensing satellites and airborne sensors. Similarly, multispectral and even hyperspectral imagery are become available commercially and for scientific research nowadays. Hyperspectral images from digital airborne sensor have been used in this work. A new methodology for automatic identification of asphalted pavement and also for classification of the main defects of the asphalt has been developed. The first step of the methodology is the identification of the asphalt in the image, using hybrid classification based on pixel initially and after improved by objects. Using this approach was feasible to extract asphalt information from the available images. The second step of the methodology is the identification and classification of the main defects of flexible pavement surface that are observable in high spatial resolution imagery. This step makes intensive use of new techniques for classification of images based on objects. The goal, is the generation of pavement surface condition index from the images that can be compared with quality index of pavement surface that are already regulated by the regulatory agency in the country.

Desde a implantação das primeiras obras, há indicações de que seus construtores já apresentavam conhecimentos acerca da influência da drenagem no desempenho dos pavimentos. Muitos países, onde os custos rodoviários são avaliados criteriosamente ao longo de toda a vida de serviço do pavimento, vêm desenvolvendo pesquisas objetivando a consideração dos efeitos prejudiciais da água em excesso no interior de sua estrutura. Métodos consagrados como, por exemplo, o da AASHTO, já consideram a influência da eficiência do sistema de drenagem no dimensionamento das estruturas de pavimentos. Neste trabalho, são apresentados um breve histórico e uma análise dos métodos de dimensionamento nacionais e estrangeiros, com vistas às considerações da influência do sistema de drenagem e da variação sazonal do teor de umidade no desempenho estrutural dos pavimentos. Fazendo-se uso do Falling Weight Defectometer, foi realizado levantamento deflectométrico em trecho experimental, com extensão aproximada de 900 m, direcionado para a avaliação da variação dos módulos resilientes das camadas e do comportamento estrutural diante da infiltração d\'água pela borda do pavimento. A partir dos dados obtidos no segmento experimental, pôde-se avaliar a magnitude desses parâmetros e assim efetuar, através de modelos analíticos que expressam os métodos de dimensionamento vigentes no país, a estimativa de redução da vida útil do pavimento analisado. Finalmente, propõe-se a introdução de um parâmetro de ajuste da espessura, denominado Fator de Ajuste de Drenagem, para consideração das condições adversas de drenagem no procedimento de dimensionamento de estruturas de pavimentos flexíveis preconizado pelo DNER. / Since the implementation of the first roads, there are indications that constructors already had knowledge concerning drainage influence in the pavement performance. Many countries, where highway administration costs are criteriously available along pavement lifetime, have been developing researches regarding considerations about harmful effects from excessive water in the pavement structure. Renowned methods such as AASHTO, already consider the influence of drainage system efficiency in the pavement structures design. In this work, brief historic and an analysis about national and foreign design methods are presented, taking into account considerations concerning influence of drainage system and seasonal variations of moisture content in the structural pavement performance. Employing the Falling Weight Deflectometer, deflection measurements were carried out in a test section, about 900 m long, in order to evaluate the resilient modulus layers and the structural behavior variations due to water infiltration from pavement edge. From experimental sections data obtained, it was possible to evaluate the magnitude of these parameters and then realize, through analytical models that represent the actual national design methods, the reduction estimate of evaluated pavement lifetime. Finally, this work propose the introduction of a thickness adjustment parameter, called Drainage Adjustment Factor, to consider the adverse drainage conditions in the flexible pavement structure design procedure advocated by DNER.

The asphalt mixtures are commonly used as surface course of highways to ensure the security and comfort for road users. The asphalt mixtures may also be used as intermediate layers of pavement structure, providing better resistance to traffic loads. Thus, the occurrence of distresses can be reduced, increasing the time between pavement maintenance interventions. Large Stone Asphalt Mixtures (LSAM) are a promising rehabilitation solution for pavements that show rutting as the main distress under heavy traffic situations. Though their use is not new, the study of their viscoelastic properties and performance in the field are still unexplored. This thesis presents a brief literature review about the historical use of LSAM around the world, as well as some relevant characteristics for its design. The evaluation of different mixture design methods was performed before the construction of experimental test site with LSAM as the leveling course. The asphalt mixtures mechanical behavior was characterized using dynamic modulus test, flexural bending fatigue test, tension-compression fatigue test and the LCPC wheel track test. The rehabilitated pavement was monitored through a period of one year and a half, using the falling weight deflectometer and rutting measurements. A finite-layer software (3D-Move Analysis) was used to simulate the structures using dynamic analysis, under different temperatures and traffic speeds, considering the viscoelastic properties of the asphalt mixtures obtained in laboratory. The results from the computer simulations can be used as a guide for the design and analysis of the pavement structure and pavement performance. Thus far, the use of LSAM in the rehabilitated test sections was successful compared to the previous rehabilitation solutions tested in the field, showing no permanent deformation after one year of service life. / O concreto asfáltico é comumente utilizado no Brasil como camada de rolamento em rodovias para garantir a segurança e o conforto dos usuários da via. No entanto, misturas asfálticas também são utilizadas como camadas intermediárias na estrutura do pavimento, atribuindo maior resistência às solicitações do tráfego. Assim, a ocorrência de defeitos pode ser reduzida, aumentando o intervalo entre as intervenções de manutenção do pavimento. Large Stone Asphalt Mixture (LSAM) é uma solução promissora para restauração de pavimentos asfálticos sob tráfego pesado que apresentem, como principal defeito, a deformação permanente em trilha de roda. Embora a sua utilização não seja recente, o estudo das propriedades viscoelásticas e do seu comportamento em campo ainda é pouco explorado. Esta dissertação apresenta uma breve revisão da literatura quanto ao histórico de uso das misturas LSAM ao redor do mundo, assim como características relevantes para a dosagem das mesmas. A avaliação de diferentes métodos de dosagem foi necessária antes da construção de um trecho experimental com a aplicação da LSAM como camada de ligação, onde tal mistura foi caracterizada mecanicamente por meio do ensaio de módulo dinâmico, ensaio de fadiga a flexão em quatro pontos, ensaio de fadiga a tração direta e ensaio de deformação permanente no simulador de tráfego francês LCPC. O pavimento restaurado foi monitorado por um período de um ano e meio com ensaios de \"Falling Weight Deflectometer\" e de afundamento de trilha de roda. As respostas do pavimento submetido a cargas dinâmicas foram analisadas por meio de um software que utiliza o método de camadas finitas (3D-Move), considerando as camadas asfálticas com comportamento viscoelástico linear sob diferentes velocidades de tráfego e temperaturas de análise. Os resultados poderão ser usados como referência para o dimensionamento e a análise das estruturas de pavimento compostas por camada de LSAM e para a avaliação do desempenho do mesmo. O uso da LSAM na restauração das seções experimentais foi bem sucedido quando comparado às restaurações realizadas anteriormente com outras soluções, não apresentando deformação permanente após mais de um ano de vida de serviço.

Florida Department of Transportation (FDOT) has been using Open Graded Friction Course (OGFC) mixture to improve skid resistance of asphalt pavements under wet weather. The OGFC mixture design strongly depends on the Optimum Binder Content (OBC) which represents if the mixture has sufficient bonding between the aggregate and asphalt binder. At present, the FDOT designs OGFC mixtures using a pie plate visual draindown method (FM 5-588). In this method, the OBC is determined based on visual inspection of the asphalt binder draindown (ABD) configuration of three OGFC samples placed on pie plates with pre-determined trial asphalt binder contents (AC). The inspection of the ABD configuration is performed by trained and experienced technicians who determine the OBC using perceptive interpolation or extrapolation based on the known AC of the above samples. In order to eliminate the human subjectivity involved in the current visual method, an automated method for quantifying the OBC of OGFC mixtures was developed using digital images of the pie plates and concepts of perceptual image coding and neural network (NN). Phase I of the project involved the FM-5-588 based OBC testing of OGFC mixture designs consisting of a large set of samples prepared from a variety of granitic and oolitic limestone aggregate sources used by FDOT. Then the digital images of the pie plates containing samples of the above mixtures were acquired using an imaging setup customized by FDOT. The correlation between relevant digital imaging parameters and the corresponding AC was investigated initially using conventional regression analysis. Phase II of the project involved the development of a perceptual image model using human perception metrics considered to be used in the OBC estimation. A General Regression Neural Network (GRNN) was used to uncover the nonlinear correlation between the selected parameters of pie plate images, the corresponding AC and the visually estimated OBC. GRNN was found to be the most viable method to deal with the multi-dimensional nature of the input test data set originating from each individual OGFC sample that contains AC and imaging parameter information from a set of three pie plates. GRNN was trained by 70% and tested by 30% of the database completed in Phase I. Phase III of the project involved the configuration of a quality control tool (QCT) for the aforementioned automated method to enhance its robustness and the likelihood of implementation by other agencies and contractors. QCT is developed using three quality control imaging parameters (QCIP), orientation, spatial distribution, and segregation of ABD configuration of pie plate specimens (PPS) images. Then, the above QCIP were evaluated from PPS images of a variety of independent mixture designs produced using the FDOT visual method. In general, this study found that the newly developed software (GRNN-based) provides satisfactory and reliable estimations of OBC. Furthermore, the statistical and computer-generated results indicated that the selected QCIP are adequate for the formulation of quality control criteria for PPS production. It is believed that the developed QCT will enhance the reliability of the automated OBC estimation image processing-based methodology.

abstract: This research focused on the structure-property relationships of a rejuvenator to understand the comprehensive rejuvenation mechanism of aged asphalt binder. Aged asphalt such as recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) and reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) contain various amounts of asphalt binder. However, the asphalt binder in RAS and RAP is severely aged and inferior in properties compared to a virgin binder. To address this issue, liquid additives have been used under the general title of rejuvenators. That poses an additional challenge associated with the lack of clear metrics to differentiate between softeners and rejuvenators. Therefore, there is a need for a thorough study of rejuvenators. In this study, diverse-sourced rejuvenators have been used in RAS and RAP-modified binders as well as laboratory-prepared aged binders. The properties of the rejuvenated aged binder were characterized at a macro-level and molecular level. The study showed that the performance of the RAS-modified binder was significantly improved after bio-modification by a bio-rejuvenator. This study further evaluated laboratory-prepared aged asphalt rejuvenated with different rejuvenators. The results found that oxidized bitumen became soft after adding rejuvenators, regardless of their source. Molecular dynamics simulation showed that the effective rejuvenator restored the molecular conformation and reduced the size of asphaltene nanoaggregates. The study results showed that due to the specific chemical composition of certain rejuvenators, they may negatively impact the durability of the mixture, especially about its resistance to moisture damage and aging. Computational analysis showed that while the restoration capacity of rejuvenators is related to their penetration into and peptizing of asphaltene nanoaggregates, the durability of the restored aged asphalt is mainly related to the polarizability values of the rejuvenator. Rejuvenators with lower polarizability showed better resistance to aging and moisture damage. In summary, this study develops the rheology-based indicators which relate to the molecular level phenomenon in the rejuvenation mechanism. The rheology-based indicators, for instance, crossover modulus and crossover frequency differentiated the rejuvenators from recycling agents. Moreover, the study found that rejuvenation efficiency and durability are depended on the chemistry of rejuvenators. Finally, based on the learning of chemistry, a chemically balanced rejuvenator is synthesized with superior rejuvenation properties. / Dissertation/Thesis / Doctoral Dissertation Civil, Environmental and Sustainable Engineering 2020

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Les performances des matériaux routiers se dégradent dans le temps sous l’effet des sollicitations mécaniques et environnementales. Parmi les facteurs influents, l’eau apparait comme l’un des éléments principaux impliqués dans les mécanismes de dégradation en provoquant une décohésion progressive du matériau. Les essais normalisés disponibles en France et à l’International permettant d’évaluer en laboratoire le comportement du mélange en présence d’eau peinent à prédire son comportement sur site. Il apparait donc nécessaire de comprendre plus fondamentalement l’évolution du matériau en présence d’eau pour prédire et prévenir de l’action de l’eau. A l’inverse du mouillage, le démouillage est défini comme le retrait du film de bitume à la surface du granulat. Il pourrait être à l’origine de la dégradation des matériaux routiers en présence d’eau. Une méthodologie expérimentale a été développée pour caractériser le phénomène de démouillage à partir d’un système modèle bitume/granulat. De plus, des essais normalisés ont été réalisés sur des mélanges foisonnés et compactés. Les protocoles expérimentaux des essais se différencient par le mode de conditionnement et le type de sollicitation mécanique. Les avantages et les limites des différents essais sont exposés. Les différents modes de dégradation identifiés ont été interprétés à la lumière des connaissances acquises lors de l’étude du démouillage de systèmes modèles. Ce travail a également permis de définir le pouvoir discriminant des essais et de sélectionner les plus pertinents pour évaluer l’impact de différents paramètres de formulation sur la durabilité des enrobés bitumineux en présence d’eau et notamment l’additivation chimique du bitume. / Performance of asphalts pavement are lowered under mechanical and environmental loadings. Among influent factors, water appears to be one of the major element leading to deterioration of the material cohesion. Numerous test in the world are available to evaluate moisture damage in laboratory. However, most of them show poor correlation with field performances. A fundamental understanding is still needed to predict and prevent its effects.Contrary to wetting, stripping is defined as the shrinkage of the bitumen on aggregate surface. It could be one of the road pavement materials moisture damage mechanisms in presence of water. An experimental method was used to characterize the stripping kinetic using a model bitumen/aggregate interface. Additionally, standardized laboratory tests were carried out on loose and compacted mixes. Experimental procedures vary from one to another regarding conditioning process and mechanical loading types. Advantages and limits of these test methods are exposed. Different moisture damage mechanism have been identified using the acquired knowledge from the stripping evaluation on model system. This work also allow to evaluate the discriminating power of test methods. It allows to select the most relevant one able to evaluate several parameter influences on material durability in presence of water,in particular the chemical additivation of bitumen.

The diploma thesis deals with the design of an asphalt mixture for an abrasive layer with a standard R-material content (20 %) without the use of other softening additives, while the properties of the aged asphalt binder in the mixture were compensated by dosing "softer binder 70/100". Asphalt mixtures type ACO 11+ are designed to meet the requirements ČSN 73 6121: 2019. The aim of the work is to verify the expected properties of the asphalt mixture performed functional and empirical tests according to the standards for asphalt mixtures of the ČSN EN 12697 series.

Finding innovative technologies for building our roads has always been of paramount importance. From moving to warm mix asphalt to decrease our indulgence in high energy consumption to substituting fly ash for asphalt binders to reduce dependence on pure asphalt binders from petroleum, engineers have painstakingly tried to develop new ways to improve the ways that flexible pavements are made. The major problem facing the next generation of civil engineers is sustainable practices on the field. Over the years, significant progress has been made in this regard on the impacts of building pavements on the environment. Characterizing these improvements tends to be difficult, and that is where Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) comes in. LCA is a technique used to analyze and quantify the environmental impacts of a product, system, or process. LCA shows where the significant impacts occur and how improvements can be made while recommending better practices. Even with its many advantages, its use is very constrained, especially in the United States, as it is still a very novel approach in design coupled with limited datasets and protocol for its operation. With modern technologies of substitute materials for binders like bio-oil from food waste, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and fly ash, there is a need to understand their environmental impacts. Furthermore, in this regard is where LCA can help using three significant areas: selection of materials, normalization, and characterization. Characterization refers to the identification and quantification of the relationships between the life cycle results and the environmental impacts. This research explores the environmental impacts of substituting other materials for asphalt binders using LCA. With variations in modifying levels of substitutes, results show promising levels in emissions of harmful gasses to both the air and water. This study explores ways used in normalizing this process as well as setting up a pathway for other asphalt binder substitutes. / Civil Engineering

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