Aggregate packing mechanism and its properties are always significant in the compaction, density and consequential strength and resistance of the bituminous mixture. Realizing that aggregate interlocking contributes to the strength, the packing of aggregate would increase the force of intact between aggregates. This work is focused on improving the compaction energy, engineering properties and rutting resistance of bituminous mixture by using the aggregate packing concept. After obtaining the optimum proportions for developed mixture via packing test, hot-mix asphalt samples are prepared and compacted with 50 and 75 blows, while well graded hot-mix asphalt samples are compacted with 75 blows. The Marshall Test result showed that developed mixture at lower compaction energy meets all the requirements of asphaltic concrete for heavy traffic and also exhibit higher density, stability, and lower air voids and voids in mineral aggregate compared to the well graded mixture. Developed mixture also demonstrated higher mixture stiffness and lower rut depth compared to the well graded one. This is due to the optimal distribution of the various aggregates sizes of developed mixture, which gives the interlocking necessary and stone to stone contact to improve the mixture density, stiffness and rutting resistance.
A state space approach to the design of globally optimal FIR energy compaction filters
