Performance Life Using Mechanistic–Empirical Analysis of Asphalt Mixtures in Arid Climatic Conditions—Case of Kuwait †

Abstract

The extreme arid climatic conditions and poor asphalt mix design characteristics have further accelerated the rate of deterioration of in-service asphalt pavements in Kuwait. Pavement distresses, such as raveling, rutting, and fatigue cracks, worsen in severe climatic and loading conditions, such as high temperatures, elevated humidity levels, and high traffic loads on the pavement surfaces. In this study, a life performance evaluation using mechanistic–empirical analysis of a new modified Superpave mix design was undertaken. The performance life of the modified Superpave asphalt mixture was evaluated, and the results showed that the new modifications to the mix improved the rutting and fatigue cracking resistances of the asphalt mixture for the unconditioned state. However, fatigue cracking resistance under the moisture-conditioned state still needs further improvement for the newly modified Superpave asphalt mixture.