In the present work the major findings concerning the data analysis
of a Long Term Pavement Performance study, focusing on the evaluation
of the asphalt mix performance in relation to preventive pavement
maintenance, are presented and discussed. The performance study
comprised laboratory tests for both the original and the in-service
bituminous materials, as well as destructive and nondestructive
tests on the in-service pavements. The stiffness of the existing
asphalt concrete layers was estimated using laboratory mechanical
tests, traditional component analysis, as well as backanalysis
based on FWD tests. In addition, the fatigue strength of the existing
asphalt mixes was estimated. After a longer time period the pavement
remaining life predicted through the fatigue analysis was validated
by performing FWD tests on the non-maintained pavements, as well
as pavement condition distress assessments. The results of the
analysis showed that the interpretation of the asphalt mix performance
based on FWD tests can give useful information for possible rational
pavement preventive maintenance requirements. The laboratory estimated
asphalt mix properties are to some extent still necessary for
supporting the relevant engineering judgments for the interpretation
of the FWD-based backanalysis.