An Optimized Approach to Multistage Permanent Deformation Testing of Granular Materials

Accurately characterizing permanent deformation in granular materials subjected to cyclic loading is crucial for pavement design. This paper introduces an alternative approach to characterizing permanent deformation in a framework that reduces the number of load cycle repetitions by applying an alternative analytical strategy based on plastic strain rate variation over time. The methodology uses a cycle-hardening approach to establish correlations between short-term (post-compaction) and long-term (shakedown state) plastic strain accumulation. This alternative approach provides an efficient means to accelerate the characterization of permanent deformation, ensuring the integrity and validity of the assessment in a more time-efficient and resource-optimized way.