Mechanistic Evaluation of Asphalt Pavements with Tropical Soil-Lime Layers

This study investigates the effects of incorporating lime-stabilized layers in asphalt pavements, focusing on structural responses and failure mechanisms. The research involves mechanistic analyses of various pavement structures with different subbase materials. These materials consist of two tropical soils, each stabilized using two types of lime, each having two lime contents. The outcomes reveal that introducing a lime-stabilized subbase significantly enhances asphalt pavement behavior compared to granular subbase structures. The stiffer platform resulting from the lime-stabilized subbase increases the granular base’s modulus, decreasing the modulus ratio between the asphalt layer and base. This diminishes tensile stresses in the asphalt layer, reducing strains and improving fatigue performance. For thicker asphalt layers, higher subbase thicknesses lead to reduced tensile strains and longer fatigue life. Moreover, lime type and content play crucial roles, with calcitic lime proving more effective than dolomitic lime. Overall, this study shows the positive influence of lime-stabilized layers on pavement performance, highlighting the importance of asphalt wearing course thickness, soil-lime layer thickness, lime type, and lime content in optimizing pavement performance.