Review on Mechanistic–Empirical Design of Perpetual Pavements Using Recycled and Modified Asphalt Materials
Keywords:
Mechanistic–Empirical Pavement Design, Perpetual Pavements, Recycled Asphalt Materials, Modified Asphalt Binders, Long-Life Pavement PerformanceAbstract
The increasing demand for durable, sustainable, and cost-effective roadway infrastructure has led to significant advancements in pavement engineering, particularly in the development of perpetual pavements. This review paper presents a comprehensive analysis of the Mechanistic–Empirical (M–E) design approach for perpetual pavements incorporating recycled and modified asphalt materials. The M–E design methodology integrates mechanistic analysis of pavement responses (stress, strain, and deflection) with empirical performance models to predict long-term distress such as fatigue cracking, rutting, and thermal cracking. The study critically evaluates the performance of recycled materials including Reclaimed Asphalt Pavement (RAP), Recycled Asphalt Shingles (RAS), and Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA), along with modified binders such as polymer-modified asphalt, crumb rubber-modified bitumen, and nano-modified binders. The review highlights how these materials influence stiffness characteristics, fatigue resistance, healing potential, and resistance to permanent deformation in multi-layered perpetual pavement structures. Furthermore, the paper discusses key design parameters such as strain criteria at the bottom of the asphalt layer and compressive strain at the top of the subgrade, which are essential for achieving a structural life exceeding 50 years with minimal structural rehabilitation. Advanced simulation tools and pavement performance models used in M–E design frameworks are also examined. The findings indicate that the integration of recycled and modified asphalt materials within the M–E design framework enhances sustainability by reducing environmental impact, lowering lifecycle costs, and conserving natural resources, while maintaining or improving structural performance. However, proper mix design optimization, binder characterization, and performance-based evaluation are crucial to ensure long-term durability. This review provides insights into current practices, challenges, and future research directions for sustainable perpetual pavement design.
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