Performance zoning method of asphalt pavement in cold regions based on climate Indexes: A case study of Inner Mongolia, China

Asphalt pavements are environmentally sensitive, and their service performance is affected by the local climate. This study aims to classify asphalt pavements into specific regional zones based on their performance in the adverse environments of Inner Mongolia, which is located in Northeast China. Firstly, in view of the environmental exposure effects of premature failure of asphalt pavements in Inner Mongolia, such as temperature, precipitation, frozen soil and freeze–thaw, different performance zoning indexes of asphalt pavement layers and subgrade were proposed. Secondly, the proposed indexes were calculated based on the climate data of 36 meteorological stations in the past ten years, and spatially interpolated using the kriging interpolation method. The spatial distribution map of the zoning indexes was drawn based on the ArcGIS platform. Thirdly, the service performance of the asphalt pavement was calculated based on the performance prediction equations. The rationality of the proposed zoning indexes was verified by comparing the similarity of spatial distribution characteristics between the zoning indexes and pavement service performance. Finally, pavement performance zoning was studied using cluster analysis and layer overlay methods, and the established performance zoning was verified using historical pavement field performance detection data to better represent the performance distribution characteristics of asphalt pavements in Inner Mongolia. Consequently, different primary and secondary performance zones for asphalt pavement layers and subgrade were developed in Inner Mongolia. It was observed that different environmental factors have adverse effects on asphalt pavement layers and subgrade in different zones, and an appropriate pavement design scheme needs to be selected to adapt to the local environment of Inner Mongolia. The adverse effects on asphalt pavement layers and subgrade were observed as low-temperature frost heave, high-temperature permanent deformation, potholes formed by the combined action of high temperature and precipitation, and frost boiling caused by the combined action of temperature and precipitation. In summary, the zoning method proposed in this study can provide guidance for asphalt pavement design under the local climatic conditions of Inner Mongolia, and for the performance zoning of other regions with different climatic environments.