Asphalt Mix Design and the Indirect Test: A New Horizon

Author(s):  
GY Baladi ◽  
RS Harichandran
Keyword(s):  
Author(s):  
Stacey D. Diefenderfer ◽  
Benjamin F. Bowers

Performance mix design (PMD) of asphalt mixtures, often referred to as balanced mix design, is a design methodology that incorporates performance testing into the mix design process. The Virginia Department of Transportation (DOT), like many owner agencies, is interested in ways to specify asphalt mix designs better in an effort to make its roadway network more sustainable, longer lasting, and more economical. By adding performance criteria through a PMD framework, that goal can be achieved. Further, a PMD framework should allow for the development of new, innovative methods to increase pavement recyclability, new performance additives, and other means to enhance pavement performance. This paper provides details and documentation of the approach being taken by the Virginia DOT in their efforts to develop a PMD specification. Aspects of development presented include PMD method options, selection of performance tests, and determination of acceptance criteria. A discussion about validating specifications with in-service performance data and addressing quality control and quality assurance is also provided. Although additional work is needed for full development and implementation, the methodology being applied has been found to provide useful outcomes for the Virginia DOT even in the initial stages of development.


2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marijana Cuculić ◽  
Aleksandra Deluka Tibljaš ◽  
Fabian Vasić ◽  
Ivana Pranjić

Author(s):  
Fawaz Kaseer ◽  
Edith Arámbula-Mercado ◽  
Amy Epps Martin

State highway agencies recognize the environmental and economic benefits of utilizing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) in asphalt mixes. Currently, most agencies assume all of the RAP binder content is available for mix design purposes. However, the percentage of available or effective RAP binder in the asphalt mix is usually less than 100% and not quantified, which could yield dry asphalt mix with a high air void content, potentially leading to premature distress. The term available or effective RAP binder refers to the binder that is released from the RAP, becomes fluid, and blends with virgin binder under typical mixing temperatures. This study proposes a method to estimate the RAP binder availability factor (BAF) which can be used to adjust the virgin binder content in RAP mixes to ensure that the mix design optimum binder content is achieved. In this method, asphalt mixes were prepared so that, after mixing and conditioning, the RAP material can be separated from the virgin aggregate, which allows for a thorough evaluation of the extent of RAP binder availability in the asphalt mix. This method was verified in a preliminary experiment and then used to estimate the BAF of RAP from different sources, and a correlation between RAP BAF and the high temperature performance grade (PG) of each RAP source was established. Finally, factors affecting the RAP BAF were also evaluated such as mixing temperature, conditioning period, the use of recycling agents (or rejuvenators), and the method of adding the recycling agent to the mix.


2016 ◽  
Vol 2016 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ahmad M. Abu Abdo ◽  
S. J. Jung

The main objective of this study was to investigate the effects of hot mix asphalt material properties on the performance of flexible pavements via mechanistic approach. 3D Move Analysis software was utilized to determine rutting and cracking distresses in an asphalt concrete (AC) layer. Fourteen different Superpave mixes were evaluated by utilizing results of the Dynamic Modulus (|E⁎|) Test and the Dynamic Shear Modulus (|G⁎|) Test. Results showed that with the increase of binder content, the tendency of rutting in AC layer increased. However, with the increase of binder content, the cracking of AC layer lessened. Furthermore, when different binder grades were evaluated, results showed that with the increase of the upper binder grade number, rutting decreased, and with the increase of the lower binder grade number, rutting increased. Furthermore, analysis showed that with the increase of the lower binder grade number, higher percent of bottom up cracks would result. As a result of the analysis, binder grade should not be solely considered for cracking in AC layer; binder content and aggregate structure play a big role. Finally, results illustrated that the mechanistic approach is a better tool to determine the performance of asphalt pavement than commonly used methods.


Author(s):  
John A. Hinrichsen ◽  
John Heggen

The use of voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) criteria for proper mix design of hot-mix asphalt is a time-honored and fairly successful tool. Recent developments in the field of asphalt mix design have encouraged the use of mixtures with a coarse aggregate structure to resist the effect of heavy traffic loads. By using the equations presented, which account for both aggregate gradation and the volumetric properties of the materials, the mix designer is able to judge the proper VMA requirement for each unique blend of materials. By applying the new equations, the most economical mix may be selected without great risk of reduced durability. Supporting data from field application are presented to illustrate the use of the equations.


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