# Equivalent Resilient Modulus Inversion and Calculation of Different Asphalt Pavement Structures

Authors: Mingming Cao; Wanqing Huang; Yiwen Zou; Zhiyong Wu
Journal: Advances in Civil Engineering
 (2021)

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## Abstract

Based on the modulus inversion theory and the equivalent principle of deflection basin, by analyzing the deflection basin data of each structure layer measured by the FWD, the obtained equivalent resilient moduli of different structural layers in three different structures (a semirigid type Asphalt pavement and two inverted asphalt pavements) were compared. At the same time, the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structural layer based on the inversion method was used to modify the existing theory formula. The results show that, with the inversion method and the theoretical calculation method, the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer has a small error, but the theoretical calculation method overestimates the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer and the top surface of the graded crushed stone transition layer, especially for the inverted asphalt pavement; by contrast, the corresponding result of the inversion method is closer to the value in actual engineering. While determining the equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion layer, the influence of the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer needs to be considered, and the inverted asphalt pavement structure should adopt a thicker asphalt layer to reduce the modulus deviation; at the same time, the more the structural layers and the larger the difference in the interlayer modulus ratio, the larger the deviation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer; for the inverted asphalt pavement and semirigid asphalt pavement, the correction coefficients of the calculation formula of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of cement stabilized gravel layer are 0.35∼0.55 and 0.65∼0.75, respectively. The inversion method can be used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of each structural layer of the inverted asphalt pavement and semirigid asphalt pavement, and its results can provide a basis for the design of the structure reconstruction of asphalt pavement.


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## Body

## 1. Introduction

During the road reconstruction design of pavement, it is necessary to know the equivalent resilient modulus of the existing pavement or the top surface of the foundation. In fact, the equivalent resilient modulus is characterized by the ability to resist the load of a multilayer system composed of soil foundation, graded crushed stone, and cement stabilized crushed stone; these materials have different modulus and thicknesses. Therefore, it is necessary to transform the multilayer structure system into a 2-layer or 3-layer equivalent semi-infinite homogeneous space system according to the equivalent physical principle of deflection value and flexural stress [1–3]. At present, most studies mainly focus on solving the equivalent resilient modulus of the foundation or the cement concrete. The conversion formula of the equivalent resilient modulus of the foundation was modified according to the equivalent principle of deflection and introduced the correction coefficient of the influence of the load action radius; this formula is suitable for conversion of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer [4–6]. A method to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement concrete pavement base layer was proposed based on different equivalence principles such as deflection, flexural stress, and temperature [7–11]. Besides, the influence of the contact situation between layers on the calculation results was also considered, but the calculation result based on the bending-tension stress and temperature was poor; particularly, it is difficult to effectively monitor bending-tension stress, and the equivalent principle based on the deflection value has a wide range of applications. Jiang and Yao [12] and Tan et al. [13] proposed the approximate conversion formula of the multilayer structure under different load forms (single circle, double circle wheel load) and regressed the calculation formula of the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the double-layer structure under different interlayer contact conditions (smooth, continuous). Vakili [14] established an equivalent modulus calculation model for simple pavement structure layer (the pavement structure layer on the subgrade is regarded as a two-layer elastic layered system) and verified the accuracy of the model using the inversion method (the ratio of pavement equivalent modulus to subgrade modulus).In the structure design of cement concrete pavement, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structural layer needs to be solved; the existing research mainly focuses on the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement concrete pavement or soil foundation [15–20], but the asphalt material pavement has obvious viscoelastic properties; the influence of temperature must be considered in calculation or correction; besides, due to the high complexity of structural and material properties, there are relatively few studies on the equivalent resilient modulus of asphalt pavement. Based on the design method of the overlay layer, Guo et al. [21] calculated the minimum equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the crushed layer under different structural combinations and did not study the calculation method of the equivalent resilience modulus. According to the theory of section bending stiffness, Tan and Yu [22] studied the equivalent resilient modulus of asphalt surface layer and considered the contact conditions between different layers. In addition, by comparing the inverse calculated modulus of the indoor dynamic triaxial test, rotary compaction molding, and the test road structure, Xu et al. [23] studied the correction coefficient of the modulus inversion value. Cao et al. [24] research showed that the structure of the inverse asphalt pavement was more complex, and the traditional modulus inversion error was larger than the inversion value of the semirigid asphalt pavement; besides, the layer-by-layer inversion method can improve the accuracy of the modulus inversion. Considering the current equivalent resilience modulus research is mainly based on the theoretical calculation and analysis of semirigid asphalt pavement, without too much field verification, in this paper, by testing the dynamic deflection of three pavement structures by layer, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer, the top surface of the base layer, and the top surface of the transition layer was determined using the inversion method, which was also used to correct theoretical calculation formula, providing the basis for the road overlay design of the semirigid asphalt pavement and inverted asphalt pavement.


## 2. The Test Pavement Structure and Equivalent Resilient Modulus Inversion Method

### 2.1. The Test Pavement Structure

The test section of Sui-Guang Expressway adopted two kinds of structural forms, the semirigid asphalt pavement (S1) and inverted asphalt pavement (S2 and S3), as shown in Table1. The traffic grade of Sui-Guang Expressway is heavy traffic grade.Table 1
The structure of the test section.
Pavement structureS1 (semirigid structure)S2 (inverted structure 1)S3 (inverted structure 2)The asphalt mastic macadam SMA upper surface layer (cm)4The SBS modified asphalt AC-20C middle surface layer (cm)6The lower surface layerThe typeAsphalt AC-20CThe SBS modified asphalt AC-20CATB-25The thickness (cm)8812The graded crushed stone transition layer (cm)—12The cement stabilized crushed stone base (cm)2820The cement stabilized crushed stone subbase (cm)282420The graded crushed stone cushion layer (cm)151515The total pavement thickness (cm)898989


### 2.2. Theoretical Calculation Method for Determining Equivalent Resilient Modulus

While using the theoretical calculation method to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus, firstly, the structural layer is converted into an equivalent single-layer structure (Figure1); then, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is calculated as follows [1]:(1)Et=ahxbE0ExE01/3,a=6.221−1.51ExE0−0.45,b=1−1.44ExE0−0.55,where Et represents the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer (MPa), Ex represents the modulus of cement stabilized crushed stone layer (MPa), Hx represents the thickness of cement stabilized crushed stone layer (m), E0 represents the resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer (MPa), and a and b are regression coefficients relating to Ex/E0.Figure 1
Conversion model of equivalent principle of deflection.In addition, the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer is calculated using formulas (2) and (3) in the “Standard for Design of Highway Cement Concrete JTG D40-2011.”(2)E2t=E3E4αE4,(3)α=0.86+0.26Inh3,where E2t represents the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer (MPa), E3 and h3 represent the modulus (MPa) and thickness (m) of the graded crushed stone cushion layer, respectively, E4 represents the modulus of the soil foundation (MPa), and a is the regression coefficient. Besides, while calculating the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer using (2) and (3), the lower structure is used as the base.


### 2.3. The Method of Determining the Equivalent Resilient Modulus Based on Deflection

During the calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus, the calculated theoretical equivalent modulus through multiple double-layer conversion is greater than the result of one double-layer conversion [8, 25], and it was believed that the deviation of the calculation results of these two conversion methods is mainly due to the difference in load distribution on the top surface of different structural layers, which means the actual load effect is smaller and the load distribution on the top surface of each structural layer is mostly in the shape of bell rather than the uniform distribution. Therefore, in order to prevent the overestimation of equivalent modulus using multiple double-layer conversions and to make it conform to the actual field value, the inversion method was proposed in this paper. Based on the theory of elastic layered system, the inversion method adopts the tested deflection of the top surface of each structural layer by FWD as the basic data and regards the modulus of each structural layer calculated with the aid of the inversion program as the structural layer modulus; moreover, the designated structural layer and lower structural layer are considered as one layer, to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the designated structural layer using the inversion method again. While using the inversion method to determine the equivalent resilient modulus, the variable is only the equivalent resilient modulus, which avoids the tedious process of multiple double-layer conversions, reduces the variable number, and improves inversion accuracy. The existing pavements are often unable to test the top surface deflection and sink of the top surface of each structural layer, and the modulus can be inverted based on the deflection and sink of road surface.A more advanced iteration method was adopted, in which based on the assumed structural layer modulus, the theoretical deflection basin is calculated using the mechanical calculation method. By analyzing the difference in deflection basin between the actual measurement and the theoretical calculation, the new assumed combination of structural layer modulus is determined; then, the calculation is repeated until the mean square error between the measured and the theoretical deflection basin reached the minimum value, and the ending condition is set as the iterations number or the preassumed convergence accuracy [26].


## 2.1. The Test Pavement Structure

The test section of Sui-Guang Expressway adopted two kinds of structural forms, the semirigid asphalt pavement (S1) and inverted asphalt pavement (S2 and S3), as shown in Table1. The traffic grade of Sui-Guang Expressway is heavy traffic grade.Table 1
The structure of the test section.
Pavement structureS1 (semirigid structure)S2 (inverted structure 1)S3 (inverted structure 2)The asphalt mastic macadam SMA upper surface layer (cm)4The SBS modified asphalt AC-20C middle surface layer (cm)6The lower surface layerThe typeAsphalt AC-20CThe SBS modified asphalt AC-20CATB-25The thickness (cm)8812The graded crushed stone transition layer (cm)—12The cement stabilized crushed stone base (cm)2820The cement stabilized crushed stone subbase (cm)282420The graded crushed stone cushion layer (cm)151515The total pavement thickness (cm)898989


## 2.2. Theoretical Calculation Method for Determining Equivalent Resilient Modulus

While using the theoretical calculation method to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus, firstly, the structural layer is converted into an equivalent single-layer structure (Figure1); then, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is calculated as follows [1]:(1)Et=ahxbE0ExE01/3,a=6.221−1.51ExE0−0.45,b=1−1.44ExE0−0.55,where Et represents the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer (MPa), Ex represents the modulus of cement stabilized crushed stone layer (MPa), Hx represents the thickness of cement stabilized crushed stone layer (m), E0 represents the resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer (MPa), and a and b are regression coefficients relating to Ex/E0.Figure 1
Conversion model of equivalent principle of deflection.In addition, the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer is calculated using formulas (2) and (3) in the “Standard for Design of Highway Cement Concrete JTG D40-2011.”(2)E2t=E3E4αE4,(3)α=0.86+0.26Inh3,where E2t represents the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone cushion layer (MPa), E3 and h3 represent the modulus (MPa) and thickness (m) of the graded crushed stone cushion layer, respectively, E4 represents the modulus of the soil foundation (MPa), and a is the regression coefficient. Besides, while calculating the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer using (2) and (3), the lower structure is used as the base.


## 2.3. The Method of Determining the Equivalent Resilient Modulus Based on Deflection

During the calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus, the calculated theoretical equivalent modulus through multiple double-layer conversion is greater than the result of one double-layer conversion [8, 25], and it was believed that the deviation of the calculation results of these two conversion methods is mainly due to the difference in load distribution on the top surface of different structural layers, which means the actual load effect is smaller and the load distribution on the top surface of each structural layer is mostly in the shape of bell rather than the uniform distribution. Therefore, in order to prevent the overestimation of equivalent modulus using multiple double-layer conversions and to make it conform to the actual field value, the inversion method was proposed in this paper. Based on the theory of elastic layered system, the inversion method adopts the tested deflection of the top surface of each structural layer by FWD as the basic data and regards the modulus of each structural layer calculated with the aid of the inversion program as the structural layer modulus; moreover, the designated structural layer and lower structural layer are considered as one layer, to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the designated structural layer using the inversion method again. While using the inversion method to determine the equivalent resilient modulus, the variable is only the equivalent resilient modulus, which avoids the tedious process of multiple double-layer conversions, reduces the variable number, and improves inversion accuracy. The existing pavements are often unable to test the top surface deflection and sink of the top surface of each structural layer, and the modulus can be inverted based on the deflection and sink of road surface.A more advanced iteration method was adopted, in which based on the assumed structural layer modulus, the theoretical deflection basin is calculated using the mechanical calculation method. By analyzing the difference in deflection basin between the actual measurement and the theoretical calculation, the new assumed combination of structural layer modulus is determined; then, the calculation is repeated until the mean square error between the measured and the theoretical deflection basin reached the minimum value, and the ending condition is set as the iterations number or the preassumed convergence accuracy [26].


## 3. Deflection Data of Different Pavement Structures

Following the “ Field Test Regulations of Highway Subgrade and Pavement” (JTGE60-2008), the PRIMAX1500 FWD (Figure2) was used to test the dynamic deflection basin of the top surface of the base layer, the graded crushed stone transition layer, the lower layer, the middle layer, and the upper layer. The distance between the sensor and the center of the loading plate is shown in Table 2. The FWD test of the cement stabilized crushed stone base layer is performed 30 days after its construction is completed, and the subsequent test intervals of each layer are within 48h.Figure 2
FWD field testing.Table 2
The distance between the sensor and the center of the loading plate.
The distance between the sensor and the center of the loading plate (cm)0203040506090120150180210


## 4. Comparison of Calculated Equivalent Modulus of Different Structures

### 4.1. Calculation and Comparison of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of Top Surface of Cushions with Different Structures

Based on the deflection basin data of the top surface in the FWD test, the inversion method and theoretical calculation method were used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion top surface, as shown in Tables3 and 4. For the three test sections, the roadbed and graded crushed stone cushions layers all adopt the same construction technology, raw materials, and construction team. The tested roadbed is uniformly compacted, and its compaction is greater than 96%, with a maximum of 98.3%, and an average of 97.4%. The compaction of graded crushed stone cushions layer is greater than 97%, with a minimum of 97.9%, a maximum of 108.4%, and an average of 102%. In theory, the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of any cushion in the test section should be basically the same. However, the equivalent resilience modulus determined by the inversion method or theoretical calculation method is not the same, structure S3 < structure S2 < structure S1. At the same time, the thickness values of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer of structure S1, structure S2, and structure S3 are 56 cm, 44 cm, and 40 cm, respectively. It can be inferred that the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer affects the inversion result of the equivalent resilient modulus. With the theoretical calculation method, the calculated equivalent modulus of the top surface of structure S1 cushion layer is 1.11 times that of structure S2 and 1.28 times that of structure S3; at the same time, with the inversion method, the determined equivalent modulus of the top surface of structure S1 cushion layer determined is 1.16 times that of structure S2 and 1.40 times that of structure S3; it can be seen that when the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is thin, for the same decrease of the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer, the reduction in the equivalent modulus of the cushion top surface is greater than that of thick cement stabilized crushed stone layer. Besides, the decrease of the equivalent modulus of the cushion top surface determined by the inversion method is more than the result of the theoretical calculation method, suggesting it is important to accurately test the thickness of the cement stabilized gravel layer for using the inversion method to determine the equivalent modulus of the top surface of cushion layer.Table 3
The calculation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer when FWD is loaded on the top surface of the base layer.
Structural layerDetermined methodBase layerCushion layerRoadbedS1Inversion modulus value (MPa)8417309206Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—239Inversion method (MPa)—243Deviation value (%)—-2S2Inversion modulus value (MPa)6330309175Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—216Inversion method (MPa)—206Deviation value (%)—5S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)4762309139Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—186Inversion method (MPa)—174Deviation value (%)—7Table 4
Determination of equivalent resilient modulus of cushion top surface based on road surface deflection.
Structural layerDetermined methodCushion layerRoadbedS1Inversion modulus value (MPa)309141Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)188Inversion method (MPa)195Deviation value (%)-4S2Inversion modulus value (MPa)309138Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)185Inversion method (MPa)197Deviation value (%)-6S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)309152Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)197Inversion method (MPa)181Deviation value (%)9The difference in the determined equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion top surface between the theoretical calculation method and the inversion method was structure S3 < structure S2 < structure S1, but the absolute values of the deviation were all within 10%, so it can be concluded that the equivalent resilient moduli determined by these two methods are basically the same, and they can be used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of cushion layer of semirigid asphalt pavement and inverted asphalt pavement.


### 4.2. Calculation and Comparison of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of the Top Surface of Different Base Structures

Based on the FWD deflection basin data, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer was determined using the inversion method and theoretical calculation method, as shown in Tables5 and 6. It can be seen that the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer of structure S1 was greater than that of structures S2 and S3, and the value of structure S3 was the smallest. When FWD is subjected to the top surface of the asphalt layer, the thickness and characteristics of the asphalt layer (such as temperature) will affect the equivalent resilient modulus value of the top surface of the base layer. According to Table 6, for structure S1, based on the deflection basin data of the top surface of the lower layer tested by FWD, the equivalent resilient modulus of the base layer top surface determined by the inversion method was 1.38 and 1.37 times that based on deflection basin data of the top surface of the middle layer and the upper layer; at the same time, its value determined by the theoretical calculation method was 1.64 times and 1.59 times that based on deflection basin data of the top surface of the middle layer and the upper layer.Table 5
The calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer when FWD is loaded on the top surface of the transition layer.
Structural layerS2S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusInversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Theoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Transition layer243———243———Base layer63301121762474762780360117Cushion layer and roadbed134101Table 6
Calculation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of structure S1.
Load layerDetermined methodBase layerCushion layer and roadbedLower layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417489Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)3039Inversion method (MPa)1845Deviation value (%)65Middle layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417185Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)1858Inversion method (MPa)1336Deviation value (%)39Upper layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417195Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)1913Inversion method (MPa)1344Deviation value (%)42In addition, compared with the theoretical calculation method, the deviation value of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion determined by the inversion method (Table3) is significantly smaller than that of the equivalent resilient modulus of the base layer top surface (Tables 5 and 6). The equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion is the equivalent of the modulus of the subgrade and the graded crushed stone cushion layer, their modulus ratio was less than 3, and the thickness of the cushion layer was small. The subgrade is a half-space infinite elastic body, and the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer is mainly determined by the subgrade modulus; while determining the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the base layer, the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is large, its modulus is more than 10 times that of the subgrade or graded crushed stone, and the load is mainly borne by the roadbed and the cement stabilized crushed stone layer. Therefore, the determined equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer is far greater than the subgrade modulus and smaller than the modulus of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer, and thicker cement-stabilized crushed stone layer or larger subgrade modulus can improve the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the base layer. At the same time, while calculating the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer with the theoretical calculation method, the three-layer system of cement-stabilized crushed stone layer, cushion layer, and subgrade is transformed into a one-layer system, and more conversion times will increase the deviation of the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer. Besides, the more the structural layers in the inversion or calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus, the greater the modulus ratio of the interlayer, and the greater the deviation of the equivalent modulus of elasticity determined by the inversion method compared with the theoretical calculation method.


### 4.3. Comparison and Calculation of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of the Top Surface of Transition Layer with Different Structure

Based on the FWD test deflection basin data of asphalt upper layer, middle surface layer, and lower layer of structure S2 and structure S3, the inversion method and theoretical calculation method were used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer, as shown in Table7. It can be seen that the equivalent resilient modulus obtained by the theoretical calculation method was about 1.7∼2.4 times that of the inversion method. Based on the FWD test deflection basin data of the lower layer of the asphalt, compared to the result of the theoretical calculation method, the deviation of equivalent resilient modulus of structure S2 determined by the inversion method was greater than that of structure S3, and this deviation value decreased with the increase of the number of asphalt surface layers; besides, a thick asphalt layer can reduce this deviation. Therefore, while determining the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the transition layer, it is better to use FWD to test the deflection basin data of the asphalt upper layer. This is because the increase of the thickness of the asphalt layer increases the weight of the superstructure so as to improve the confining pressure of the loaded part of the graded crushed stone, making the modulus of the graded crushed stone layer become higher and the internal force of the graded crushed stone layer more uniform; furtherly, the effect of the error on the equivalent resilient modulus is reduced, and the accuracy of the inversion of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the transition layer is improved.Table 7
Calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer.
Structural layerS2S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusInversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Theoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)FWD loading on the top surface of the lower layerTransition layer243837351138243546270102Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed212102FWD loading on the top surface of the middle layerTransition layer24368435692243578278108Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed127117FWD loading on the top surface of the upper layerTransition layer2438134677424368535891Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed197181


## 4.1. Calculation and Comparison of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of Top Surface of Cushions with Different Structures

Based on the deflection basin data of the top surface in the FWD test, the inversion method and theoretical calculation method were used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion top surface, as shown in Tables3 and 4. For the three test sections, the roadbed and graded crushed stone cushions layers all adopt the same construction technology, raw materials, and construction team. The tested roadbed is uniformly compacted, and its compaction is greater than 96%, with a maximum of 98.3%, and an average of 97.4%. The compaction of graded crushed stone cushions layer is greater than 97%, with a minimum of 97.9%, a maximum of 108.4%, and an average of 102%. In theory, the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of any cushion in the test section should be basically the same. However, the equivalent resilience modulus determined by the inversion method or theoretical calculation method is not the same, structure S3 < structure S2 < structure S1. At the same time, the thickness values of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer of structure S1, structure S2, and structure S3 are 56 cm, 44 cm, and 40 cm, respectively. It can be inferred that the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer affects the inversion result of the equivalent resilient modulus. With the theoretical calculation method, the calculated equivalent modulus of the top surface of structure S1 cushion layer is 1.11 times that of structure S2 and 1.28 times that of structure S3; at the same time, with the inversion method, the determined equivalent modulus of the top surface of structure S1 cushion layer determined is 1.16 times that of structure S2 and 1.40 times that of structure S3; it can be seen that when the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is thin, for the same decrease of the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer, the reduction in the equivalent modulus of the cushion top surface is greater than that of thick cement stabilized crushed stone layer. Besides, the decrease of the equivalent modulus of the cushion top surface determined by the inversion method is more than the result of the theoretical calculation method, suggesting it is important to accurately test the thickness of the cement stabilized gravel layer for using the inversion method to determine the equivalent modulus of the top surface of cushion layer.Table 3
The calculation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer when FWD is loaded on the top surface of the base layer.
Structural layerDetermined methodBase layerCushion layerRoadbedS1Inversion modulus value (MPa)8417309206Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—239Inversion method (MPa)—243Deviation value (%)—-2S2Inversion modulus value (MPa)6330309175Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—216Inversion method (MPa)—206Deviation value (%)—5S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)4762309139Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)—186Inversion method (MPa)—174Deviation value (%)—7Table 4
Determination of equivalent resilient modulus of cushion top surface based on road surface deflection.
Structural layerDetermined methodCushion layerRoadbedS1Inversion modulus value (MPa)309141Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)188Inversion method (MPa)195Deviation value (%)-4S2Inversion modulus value (MPa)309138Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)185Inversion method (MPa)197Deviation value (%)-6S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)309152Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)197Inversion method (MPa)181Deviation value (%)9The difference in the determined equivalent resilient modulus of the cushion top surface between the theoretical calculation method and the inversion method was structure S3 < structure S2 < structure S1, but the absolute values of the deviation were all within 10%, so it can be concluded that the equivalent resilient moduli determined by these two methods are basically the same, and they can be used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of cushion layer of semirigid asphalt pavement and inverted asphalt pavement.


## 4.2. Calculation and Comparison of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of the Top Surface of Different Base Structures

Based on the FWD deflection basin data, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer was determined using the inversion method and theoretical calculation method, as shown in Tables5 and 6. It can be seen that the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer of structure S1 was greater than that of structures S2 and S3, and the value of structure S3 was the smallest. When FWD is subjected to the top surface of the asphalt layer, the thickness and characteristics of the asphalt layer (such as temperature) will affect the equivalent resilient modulus value of the top surface of the base layer. According to Table 6, for structure S1, based on the deflection basin data of the top surface of the lower layer tested by FWD, the equivalent resilient modulus of the base layer top surface determined by the inversion method was 1.38 and 1.37 times that based on deflection basin data of the top surface of the middle layer and the upper layer; at the same time, its value determined by the theoretical calculation method was 1.64 times and 1.59 times that based on deflection basin data of the top surface of the middle layer and the upper layer.Table 5
The calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer when FWD is loaded on the top surface of the transition layer.
Structural layerS2S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusInversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Theoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Transition layer243———243———Base layer63301121762474762780360117Cushion layer and roadbed134101Table 6
Calculation of equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of structure S1.
Load layerDetermined methodBase layerCushion layer and roadbedLower layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417489Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)3039Inversion method (MPa)1845Deviation value (%)65Middle layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417185Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)1858Inversion method (MPa)1336Deviation value (%)39Upper layerInversion modulus value (MPa)8417195Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)1913Inversion method (MPa)1344Deviation value (%)42In addition, compared with the theoretical calculation method, the deviation value of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion determined by the inversion method (Table3) is significantly smaller than that of the equivalent resilient modulus of the base layer top surface (Tables 5 and 6). The equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion is the equivalent of the modulus of the subgrade and the graded crushed stone cushion layer, their modulus ratio was less than 3, and the thickness of the cushion layer was small. The subgrade is a half-space infinite elastic body, and the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer is mainly determined by the subgrade modulus; while determining the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the base layer, the thickness of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer is large, its modulus is more than 10 times that of the subgrade or graded crushed stone, and the load is mainly borne by the roadbed and the cement stabilized crushed stone layer. Therefore, the determined equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer is far greater than the subgrade modulus and smaller than the modulus of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer, and thicker cement-stabilized crushed stone layer or larger subgrade modulus can improve the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the base layer. At the same time, while calculating the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer with the theoretical calculation method, the three-layer system of cement-stabilized crushed stone layer, cushion layer, and subgrade is transformed into a one-layer system, and more conversion times will increase the deviation of the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer. Besides, the more the structural layers in the inversion or calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus, the greater the modulus ratio of the interlayer, and the greater the deviation of the equivalent modulus of elasticity determined by the inversion method compared with the theoretical calculation method.


## 4.3. Comparison and Calculation of Equivalent Resilient Modulus of the Top Surface of Transition Layer with Different Structure

Based on the FWD test deflection basin data of asphalt upper layer, middle surface layer, and lower layer of structure S2 and structure S3, the inversion method and theoretical calculation method were used to determine the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer, as shown in Table7. It can be seen that the equivalent resilient modulus obtained by the theoretical calculation method was about 1.7∼2.4 times that of the inversion method. Based on the FWD test deflection basin data of the lower layer of the asphalt, compared to the result of the theoretical calculation method, the deviation of equivalent resilient modulus of structure S2 determined by the inversion method was greater than that of structure S3, and this deviation value decreased with the increase of the number of asphalt surface layers; besides, a thick asphalt layer can reduce this deviation. Therefore, while determining the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the transition layer, it is better to use FWD to test the deflection basin data of the asphalt upper layer. This is because the increase of the thickness of the asphalt layer increases the weight of the superstructure so as to improve the confining pressure of the loaded part of the graded crushed stone, making the modulus of the graded crushed stone layer become higher and the internal force of the graded crushed stone layer more uniform; furtherly, the effect of the error on the equivalent resilient modulus is reduced, and the accuracy of the inversion of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the transition layer is improved.Table 7
Calculation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded gravel transition layer.
Structural layerS2S3Inversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusInversion modulus value (MPa)Equivalent resilient modulusTheoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)Theoretical calculation method (MPa)Inversion method (MPa)Deviation value (%)FWD loading on the top surface of the lower layerTransition layer243837351138243546270102Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed212102FWD loading on the top surface of the middle layerTransition layer24368435692243578278108Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed127117FWD loading on the top surface of the upper layerTransition layer2438134677424368535891Base layer63304762Cushion layer and roadbed197181


## 5. Modification of the Theoretical Calculation Formula of Equivalent Resilient Modulus

According to the analysis above, it can be known that the determination of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer is less affected by the pavement structure, and the existing calculation method has high accuracy. Formulas (2) and (3) are recommended. For the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer, when Ed/Es ≈ 47, the deviation of the resilient modulus of structure S3 determined by theoretical calculation method and the inversion method is up to 117%, while the deviation of structure S2 is 47%, so except the modulus ratio, factors such as the type of pavement structure and the FWD loading layer position should also be considered while deriving the calculation formula of the equivalent modulus of the base layer. Due to the different structure types and the different FWD loading position, the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of each structural layer determined by the calculation method and the inversion method is different. Therefore, by regressively and comparatively analyzing the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of each structural layer determined by the theoretical calculation and inversion, their difference is eliminated by introducing the correction coefficient k1 to formula (1), which is 0.65∼0.75 for semirigid asphalt pavement, and 0.35∼0.55 for inverted asphalt pavement. The large difference in structural characteristics results in a significant difference in the correction coefficient of equivalent modulus theoretical calculation formula of semirigid asphalt pavement and inverted asphalt pavement. The specific value of k1 depends on the thickness of the asphalt layer and the FWD loading position; the closer the FWD loading position to the top surface of the base layer, the closer the value to the upper limit. After the correction, the calculation of the equivalent modulus of the top surface of the base is shown in formula (2), in which the regression parameters a and b are calculated as before. Compared to the inversion method, the deviation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer determined by the corrected calculation method is within 20%, with a maximum value of 19%.(4)Et=k1ahxbE0ExE01/3.While using modified formulas (2)–(4) to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the graded crushed stone transition layer, k1 was taken as 0.35 to obtain the deviation within 20% compared with the inversion method, and the maximum deviation is 16%; this calculation accuracy meets the requirements of engineering applications.In order to verify the reliability of the calculation formula for the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the structural layer based on the corrected measured deflection basin data, two kinds of asphalt pavement structures in Sichuan were selected [27], and the determined equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the base layer with different methods is shown in Table 8. The correction coefficient k1 of the semirigid structure was 0.7, and the correction coefficient k1 of the inverted structure was 0.45. Compared with the inversion method, the deviation of using the corrected theoretical calculation method is within 10%, which is much decreased. It can be seen that using the modified theoretical calculation formula to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structure layer is more in line with the actual value.Table 8
Determination of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structural layer.
StructureStructural layerEquivalent resilient modulus (MPa)Theoretical calculation methodCorrected theoretical calculation methodInversion methodSemirigid structureBase layer835585535Inverted structureBase layer483217211Transition layer532239233


## 6. Conclusions

(1)
The equivalent resilient modulus is influenced by factors such as pavement structure characteristics (thickness of adjacent layers, structure type, etc.), material characteristics, and loading layer position. The thin cement stabilized crushed stone layer or asphalt surface layer in the inverted asphalt pavement is not conducive to accurately determining the equivalent resilient modulus value of the structural layer.(2)
Generally, in terms of the deviation of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer determined by the theoretical calculation method and the inversion method, the semirigid asphalt pavement is smaller than the inverted asphalt pavement, and the deviation using these two methods is less than 10%. However, for the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the base layer and the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the transition layer, this deviation is larger than 40% and 70%, respectively. Therefore, these two methods can be used to determine the equivalent resilience modulus of the top surface of the cushion layer, but the inversion method should be preferred while determining the equivalent resilient modulus under other working conditions.(3)
With using the corrected calculation formula of the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the cement stabilized crushed stone layer, the calculated equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the transition layer is close to that obtained by the inversion method, which means the distortion of equivalent resilient modulus calculated by theoretical calculation method comes from the calculation formula of equivalent modulus of the top surface of cement-stabilized crushed stone layer; based on this, the correction coefficient of structure type is introduced.(4)
The accuracy of the equivalent resilient modulus determined by the inversion method is higher than that of the theoretical calculation method and more in line with the actual value. While determining the equivalent resilient modulus of the asphalt pavement structure, the inversion method is more suitable; when the test conditions are insufficient, the modulus of the structural layer of similar engineering can be considered to be substituted into the correction formula to calculate the equivalent resilient modulus of the top surface of the structural layer.



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*Source: 2620559-2021-11-22.xml*