Study on Characterization of Pavement Performance Evolution Based on Accelerated Loading Test System (RIOHTrack)

To evaluate the performance evolution patterns of road structures under natural environmental conditions and loading, data were collected from the RIOHTrack system. Pavement deflection, smoothness, and skid resistance were selected as evaluation indicators. The performance evolution characteristics over 50 million load cycles were analyzed to investigate the impact of different structural configurations on service performance. The study results are summarized as follows: The deflection basin area exhibits significant annual cyclic fluctuations, indicating that ambient temperature significantly affects pavement deflection. The initial rapid decrease in texture depth was attributed to the compaction of the surface layer under traffic loading, leading to a reduction in texture depth. Differences in tire and subgrade stiffness can cause variations in texture depth across various scenarios. Circular pavement structures' smoothness can be categorized into three classes; however, even within the same class, different combinations of roadway structures can result in substantial variations in pavement IRI values. These research findings are crucial for understanding the evolution laws of road performance and developing long-life pavements.