Prediction of temperature distribution in asphalt concrete layers

The paper is devoted to the issues of predicting the temperature distribution in asphalt concrete layers in different periods of the year. Mechanical parameters of asphalt concrete strongly depend on its temperature. The reliability of the temperature dependence used for temperature prediction directly determines the reliability of calculation methods for motorway pavements design. At the same time, it should be noted that many existing models describe the temperature distribution along the depth of the asphalt concrete layer package with a rather large degree of error and are not calibrated for the conditions of the Russian Federation. Methods. The approach proposed by the authors is based on the study of the actual temperature distribution in asphalt concrete pavements by analyzing data from a set of measuring sensors installed at different depths of the asphalt concrete pavement package. The actual temperature distribution was monitored during the annual cycle from March 2023 to April 2024. Results. To approximate the results obtained, a dependence describing the sinusoidal nature of temperature variation on the surface and in the asphalt concrete layers was modified. Modification of the dependence was carried out by introducing an additional empirical parameter characterizing the dependence of the change in the absolute temperature value on the depth. The accuracy of the modified dependence is confirmed by the RMSE (root mean square error) value of up to 10%. Conclusions. The model modified in the paper can be used at the stage of design and operation of motorways when calculating the temperature conditions of asphalt concrete layers.