Temperature estimation for low-temperature cracking of asphalt concrete

Pavement temperature prediction is an important step in the modeling of pavement performance. Several computer programs for estimating asphalt concrete pavement temperatures were evaluated. Results from the FHWA integrated model were compared with actual recorded pavement temperatures. Results from the integrated model were also compared with those of other temperature prediction models, computations of low-temperature damage (COLD) and THERM. Finally, a two-dimensional finite element model was used to evaluate the importance of pavement edge effects. Pavement temperatures predicted by the FHWA integrated model compared more realistically with actual temperatures than did the temperatures predicted by other available models. The effect of neglecting edge effects is not significant for typical pavement cross sections but may be important for shoulders and for extreme cross sections.