A Three Dimensional Finite Element Analysis of Temperature Distribution in Hot mix Asphalt Pothole Repair

Abstract

The reported research focuses on the problematic lack of durability in executed pothole repairs, much of which arises from inadequate heating of the host pavement during the repair process. A threedimensional finite-element analysis is used to model the temperature distribution in hot mix asphalt (HMA) pothole repairs. Nine pothole repair models are developed including both shallow and deep potholes. Low and high temperatures are applied to a 3D pavement structure and HMA pothole repair mix. Observations are made on (a) the effect of combinations of the existing host pavement temperature regime and that of the HMA placed to fill the pothole, (b) the rate of temperature change during process (a), and (c) the effect of pothole repair depth on temperature change following repair filling. Outcomes demonstrate that boundaries of the formed repair cool substantially faster than the central region and that repair thickness has a substantial influence on this.