Laboratory Investigation of Asphalt Pavements with Low Density and Recommendations to Prevent Density Deficiency

Abstract:

In most USA asphalt construction projects the goal of compacting a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) layer is to achieve the optimum density which is 92% of the maximum specific gravity (G_mm) of the asphalt mixture. However, this level of density is not always achieved. This paper evaluates the effect of field compaction deficiencies on the HMA durability through laboratory testing. HMA samples were collected from construction sites in the United States. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to compare the performance of HMA mixtures at their actual in-place density as well as the desired density of 92% of G_mm. The statistical analysis on the results showed that the performance of the pavements could significantly improve by eliminating the deficiencies in their in-place densities. Moreover, the compactibility of the mixtures was investigated using the compaction data from the Superpave gyratory compactor. Compaction characteristics of the mixtures were compared to a control mixture, and the results showed that the shortage in the binder content of the mixtures could be a major factor which may have caused the density deficiencies. Furthermore, the effect of higher-than-optimum binder content was evaluated on the compactibility of the control mixture.

• Periodical: Advanced Materials Research (Volume 723)
• Pages: 128-135
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.4028/www.scientific.net/AMR.723.128
• Online since: August 2013
• Authors: Alireza Zeinali, Phillip B. Blankenship, R. Michael Anderson, Kamyar C. Mahboub
• Keywords: Air Void Content, Compactibility, Fatigue, Hot-Mix Asphalt, In-Place Density, Pavement Materials, Performance Test, Rutting, Superpave Gyratory Compactor

References

[1] Asphalt Institute, The Asphalt Handbook, MS-4, 7th edition, Lexington, KY, (2007).

[2] Y.R. Kim, S.J. Lee, Y. Seo, O. El-Haggan, Determination of Price Reduction Factors for Density-Deficient Asphalt Pavements, J. Test Eval., 36(4), (2008), pp.335-344.

DOI: 10.1520/jte101460

[3] Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP). Fatigue Response of Asphalt-Aggregate Mixes, Publication SHRP-A-404, National Research Council, Washington D.C., (1994).

[4] P.B. Blankenship, R.M. Anderson, Laboratory Investigation of HMA Modulus, Flow Number and Flexural Fatigue on Samples of Varying Density, Asphalt Paving Technol., 79, (2010), pp.497-515.

[5] K.P. Biligiri, K.E. Kaloush, M.S. Mamlouk, M.W. Witczak, Rational Modeling of Tertiary Flow for Asphalt Mixtures. Transp. Res. Rec., 2001, (2007), pp.63-72.

DOI: 10.3141/2001-08

[6] Advanced Asphalt Technologies, LLC, A manual for Design of Hot Mix Asphalt with Commentary, NCHRP Report 673, Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington D.C., (2010).

DOI: 10.17226/14615

[7] ASTM D7460, Standard Test Method for Determining Fatigue Failure of Compacted Asphalt Concrete Subjected to Repeated Flexural Bending. ASTM Book of Standards Vol. 04.03, (2010).

DOI: 10.1520/d7460-10

[8] D.W. Christensen, R.F. Bonaquist, Volumetric Requirements for Superpave Mix Design. NCHRP Report 567. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington D.C., (2006).

DOI: 10.17226/13999

[9] Asphalt Institute, Superpave Mix Design, SP-2, 3rd Edition, Lexington, KY, (2001).