ABSTRACT
To understand the actual response of asphalt pavement in cold regions, this study establishes a coupled thermo-hydro-mechanical (THM) Finite Element analysis of asphalt pavement incorporating a Mr-prediction model, which can adequately evaluate the influences of stress state, freeze-thaw, and water content on the resilient modulus (Mr). The FE analysis can not only obtain the changes in water content and temperature of the pavement, but also quantitatively reflect the synergistic effects on the resilient modulus. For this reason, the FE analysis can reproduce a typical Sandwich-Structure in the thawing season. This is of great significance to predict the mechanical properties and fatigue life of asphalt pavements in cold regions.
