Technical development and long-term performance observations of long-life asphalt pavement: A case study of Shandong Province

Based on the investigation of long-life asphalt pavement at home and abroad, the development of long-life asphalt pavement technology in Shandong Province, China is reviewed in this paper. The structural combination characteristics of typical long-life asphalt pavement in Shandong Province and their popularization and application are introduced. The application effect of combined base long-life asphalt pavement, which has been widely promoted, is evaluated. At the same time, taking the Binda perpetual pavement test road in Shandong Province as an example, the dynamic response and long-term performance evolution of long-life asphalt pavement are analyzed over a period of more than 17 years. Sections S1, S2, and S3 present information about full-depth asphalt pavement. Section S4 describes combined base asphalt pavement. The results show that the maximum strain of S1–S4 is within the endurance strain limit. S1, S2, S3 and S4 are all expected to be long-life asphalt pavements. In the current study, Sections S1–S4 were maintained in good condition during a service period of more than 17 years with no structural cracks and good deflection, rutting, and IRI indexes. The deflection index was stable without growth, and the IRI was also relatively stable following the opening to traffic. The rutting depth underwent a slight cumulative increase within 8 years of opening, and then stabilized. The average rutting depth over the 17-year period was less than 15 ​mm. Therefore, S1–S4 meet the design standards required for use as long-life pavements. From the perspectives of resource saving, energy saving, and emission reduction and service performance, full-depth asphalt pavement can be considered to represent a new generation of green and durable pavement structures with great future promotion potential.