Development of a model to predict pavement temperature for Alkufrah region in Libya

Abstract

Asphalt pavements form an integral part of any transportation system. The structural capacity of the hot mix asphalt concrete layers depends on many factors including its temperature. Moreover, temperature can be a major contributor to several types of distress. Therefore, temperature is a significant factor that affects the performance and life span of a pavement. The Libyan road network expanded at a phenomenal pace from approximately 10,000 km of paved roads in 1980 to more 34,000 km in 2010, Al kufrah region is located on the southern east of Libya at latitude (24°17'N) in the desert of Libya. With the recent SHRP and LTTP research findings, it was necessary to investigate the applicability of the models developed from these research studies to Al kufrah region’s environmental conditions and more generally to the rest Libya desert reigns. This paper presents the research undertaken to develop models to predict high and low asphalt pavement temperatures in Al koufa region. A pavement monitoring station was set-up at the Al kufrah airport to monitor air, pavement temperatures in different depth, wind speed and solar radiation. Data were collected for 365 days. Daily minimum and maximum temperatures were recorded. A regression analysis was used to develop the minimum and maximum pavement temperature models, using air temperature, wind speed and solar radiation. This paper presents a new model for predicting maximum and minimum surface pavement temperature based on data collected by installed pavement monitoring station set-up at the Al kufrah airport