Investigation of indoor and field tests on asphalt pavement with inverted asphalt layers based on the vertical vibration compaction method

An inverted asphalt pavement is created by reversing the sequence of the lower and middle layers in a conventional asphalt pavement. The lower layer is composed of material with larger particle size and lower asphalt content, which improves its ability to withstand deformation caused by rutting. On the other hand, the middle surface has a higher asphalt content, specifically designed to resist fatigue cracking. This paper examines the mechanical response of two pavement structures and investigates the potential of two measures, inverted asphalt pavement and asphalt mixture design by vertical vibration compaction method (VVCM), in reducing stresses and stress levels in asphalt pavements. Additionally, a large thickness rutting and fatigue test method was developed to study the rutting resistance and fatigue life of the pavement structures, and to construct rutting deformation and fatigue life prediction models. Finally, test sections were paved to verify the feasibility of the inverted pavement and VVCM materials. The findings show that inverted pavement and VVCM materials have a minimal impact on pavement stress, but can reduce pavement shear and tensile stress levels by up to 18% to 25%. Furthermore, inverted pavement and VVCM materials have positive effects on improving the rutting resistance and fatigue life of asphalt pavements. • The mechanical response of the asphalt pavement with the inverted asphalt layer and the traditional pavement were analyzed. • The high-temperature deformation resistance and fatigue performance of asphalt pavements with inverted asphalt layers have been studied. • The field and theoretical analysis were used to verify the asphalt pavement performance of the inverted asphalt layer.