Predicting fatigue service life reductions of asphalt pavements due to deficiency in design-level values of effective binder content

The focus of this study is the evaluation of the effects of deficiencies in design-level values of effective binder content (Delta V-be) on the top-down (TD) and bottom-up (BU) fatigue cracking performance of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures using AASHTOWare Pavement ME Design structural simulation program. Using an analytical-mathematical-based methodology, this study also aims to predict the reduction in fatigue service life (i.e., TD, and BU fatigue cracking) of asphalt pavements that are most sensitive to the variation (Delta V-be). Two types of mixes with varying levels of V-be are used to simulate the fatigue cracking performance of a full-depth (FD) pavement structure. For each of the three studied cases, one asphalt course has a variable value of V-be, while the two other courses have a fixed value of V. Results indicate that the Delta V-be of 3% reduced 50%-70% of fatigue cracking service life. Additionally, Pavement ME shows a limitation to account for the effect of V-be in the intermediate course on the BU fatigue cracking.