Theory 143/Asphalt rutting/Threshold lens
Rutting Needs a Softening Threshold
The claim
Rutting accelerates above a threshold in pavement temperature, so a small rise in climate produces a large rise in damage.
01Mechanism
Binder stiffness falls sharply near its softening point; the threshold marks where the aggregate skeleton alone carries load.
02Prediction
Rutting should accelerate above a temperature threshold.
03Refutation
Rutting increasing smoothly with temperature would remove the softening point.