Predicting the strength of polymer-modified thin-layer asphalt with fuzzy logic

Soft computing methods can be used with acceptable accuracy in predicting the strength of asphalt mixture. Moreover, estimating the compressive strength of asphalt mixture with 5% mean error by fuzzy logic shows the potential of this approach to predict its strength. More specifically, when the asphalt mix contains additives such as different types of polymers, accurate prediction of its compressive strength becomes more difficult. In most of the developed countries, polymer-modified thin-layer asphalt has long been used to increase the strength, lifespan, and properties of asphalt mixture. In the present study, the fuzzy logic model was developed to predict the compressive strength of the asphalt specimens in different scenarios including changing optimum bitumen percentage, adding granular polymer-modified bitumen, and using different percentages of fractured particles. Then the results were compared with laboratory measurements to determine the accuracy of the fuzzy logic model.