research paper

Effect of hot climate on pavement performance

Abstract

Majority of nations infrastructures globally are becoming increasingly exposed to changing weather patterns and global warming effects including pavements. Pavements represent most of the globally used infrastructure in the transportation of goods and citizens. Pavement damage by the hot climate remains of one the challenges that are worth researching since roads and airports pavements which are built using asphalt pavement remain critical components in enhancing ease of travel, marketing, exchange and movement of goods. Besides, the hot climate affects the properties of the pavement layers which ends making them experience enhanced damage during loading of trucks and reduced serviceable life spans which leads to increased maintenance costs. The main objective of this research is to undertake an in-depth study and analysis of the effects of hot climate on the performance of pavements in different sectors of the economy. It is undertaken using an experimental, observation and models approach to carry out the investigations. The experimental approach and process include measurements of pavement temperatures at various intervals in the year. In the models study aspect, it investigations the application of a multi-layer elastic system that put into consideration the temperature of the pavement layers and the asphalt mix elements that affect infrastructure designs. Observed and the projected temperature changes in infrastructure climate variations include aspects such as average, variability, solar radiations, snowflake and rainfall, freezing cycles, groundwater levels, and stream water flows. To curb climate change effects there is an urgency to form collaborative mechanisms and networks to integrate various multidisciplinary areas of climate change, pavement design, and performance, and cost analysis. It is therefore important to undertake an analysis of how pavements can be taken care of to avoid damages due to hot temperatures so as to improve their performance and lifespan.

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