Use of Superpave Technology for Design and Construction of Rubberized Asphalt Mixtures

Author(s):  
H. Barry Takallou ◽  
Hussain U. Bahia ◽  
Dario Perdomo ◽  
Robert Schwartz

The effect of different mixing times and mixing temperatures on the performance of asphalt-rubber binder was evaluated. Four different types of asphalt-rubber binders and neat asphalt were characterized using the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) binder method tests. Subsequently, mix designs were carried out using both the SHRP Levels I and II mix design procedures, as well as the traditional Marshall mix design scheme. Additionally, performance testing was carried out on the mixtures using the Superpave repetitive simple shear test at constant height (RSST-CH) to evaluate the resistance to permanent deformation (rutting) of the rubberized asphalt mixtures. Also, six rectangular beams were subjected to repeated bending in the fatigue tester at different microstrain levels to establish rubberized asphalt mixtures’ resistance to fatigue cracking under repeated loadings. The results indicate that the Superpave mix design produced asphalt-rubber contents that are significantly higher than values used successfully in the field. Marshall-used gyratory compaction could not produce the same densification trends. Superpave mixture analysis testing (Level II) was used successfully for rubberized asphalt mixtures. Results clearly indicated that the mixture selected exhibited acceptable rutting and fatigue behavior for typical new construction and for overlay design. Few problems were encountered in running the Superpave models. The results of the RSST-CH indicate that rubber-modified asphalt concrete meets the criteria for a maximum rut depth of 0.5 in.; and more consistent results were measured for fatigue performance analysis using the repeated four-point bending beam testing (Superpave optional torture testing). The cycles to failure were approximately 26,000 at 600 microstrain.

2012 ◽  
Vol 39 (7) ◽  
pp. 824-833 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sangyum Lee ◽  
Cheolmin Baek ◽  
Je-Jin Park

This paper presents the performance evaluation of unmodified and lime-modified hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures at varying asphalt content using asphalt mixture performance test developed from National Cooperative Highway Research Program project 9-19 and 9-29 and the viscoelastic continuum damage finite element analysis. Test methods adopted in this study are the dynamic modulus test for stiffness, the triaxial repeated load permanent deformation test for rutting, and the direct tension test for fatigue cracking. The findings from this study support conventional understanding of the effects of asphalt content and lime modification on the fatigue cracking and rutting performance. Finally, the optimum asphalt content for both lime-modified and unmodified mixtures are proposed based on the knowledge gleaned from the performance-based mix design methodology. With additional validation and calibration, the comprehensive methodology described in this paper may serve as the foundation for a performance-based HMA mix design and performance-related HMA specifications.


2021 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
M. Bueno ◽  
R. Haag ◽  
N. Heeb ◽  
P. Mikhailenko ◽  
L. Boesiger ◽  
...  

AbstractIncorporating crumb rubber (CR) using the dry process, directly in the asphalt mixture rather than into the bituminous binder requires no plant retrofitting, and therefore is the most practical industrial method for CR incorporation into asphalt mixtures. Nevertheless, very few large scale studies have been conducted. This work uses a holistic approach and reports on the functional and environmental performance of asphalt mixtures with different concentrations of CR fabricated employing the dry process in asphalt plants. Gaseous emissions were monitored during the production and laboratory leaching tests simulating the release of pollutants during rain, was conducted to evaluate the toxicology of both the CR material alone and the modified asphalt mixtures. In addition, laboratory compacted samples were tested to assess their fatigue behavior. Furthermore, noise relevant surface properties of large roller compacted slabs were evaluated before and after being subjected to a load simulator (MMLS3) to evaluate their resistance to permanent deformation. The results confirm that comparable performance can be achieved with the incorporation of CR using the dry process for high performance surfaces such as semi-dense asphalt, which usually require the use of polymer modified binders. Environmental performance improvement can be achieved by a washing step of the CR material that could remove polar CR additives which have commonly been used as vulcanization accelerator during rubber production.


Author(s):  
Intikhab Haidar ◽  
Charles W. Schwartz ◽  
Sadaf Khosravifar

The past two decades have seen significant efforts to standardize a series of simplified test methods to characterize the dynamic modulus (DM) and repeated load permanent deformation (RLPD) performance characteristics of asphalt mixtures using the asphalt mixtures performance tester (AMPT). While the current AASHTO T 79 test specifications for the AMPT are faster and easier to perform than their preceding research grade test protocols, there is still reluctance among highway agencies and industry to conduct performance testing using the AMPT. One significant reason is the lengthy process of sample preparation and testing for the DM and RLPD tests. Two studies to expedite this process are reported here. First, the potential for abbreviating the DM testing procedure was examined. It provides the option to fully exclude testing at 40°C by adding an additional frequency of 0.01 Hz at 20°C. This approach reduces time for testing as well as for sample conditioning at high temperature. Second, the possibility of reducing the total number of required specimens was evaluated. The variation of the DM under repetitive testing and the appropriateness of performing the RLPD test on samples already tested for DM were evaluated. The results showed that specimen damage or densification because of DM testing is insignificant. As a consequence, DM test specimens can be re-used for RLPD testing, reducing the required number of samples from 12 to 9.


Author(s):  
Felipe F. Camargo ◽  
Kamilla Vasconcelos ◽  
Liedi L. Bernucci

Fatigue cracking and rutting are among the major types of distresses to be considered in flexible pavement design. In this context, the choice of the asphalt binder plays a major role in both the fatigue behavior and permanent deformation resistance of the asphalt mixture. This study was conducted to assess the permanent deformation and fatigue behavior of a field-blended rubber-asphalt (CRMA) and compare the results with typical binders used in Brazil. The neat binder used for modification was also employed as a control and as a base for polymer modification (SBSA). The binders were evaluated using the multiple stress creep and recovery (MSCR) for permanent deformation behavior, and the time sweep (TST) and linear amplitude sweep (LAS) tests for fatigue behavior. Modification of the neat binder resulted in an increase in percentage recovery in the MSCR, whereas the percentage recovery for CRMA was the highest among the three binders at any given temperature. The non-recoverable creep compliance for the CRMA was lower than that exhibited by the neat and SBSA binders for both stress levels for the range of temperatures tested. Binder modification resulted in an improved fatigue behavior compared with the neat binder according to the TST and LAS, whereas rubber modification resulted in the best fatigue behavior. Fatigue life prediction by TST was consistently higher than fatigue life prediction in the LAS test, probably because different criteria were used for determining failure in each test (ranking of the binders remained constant regardless of the criteria used).


2017 ◽  
Vol 2633 (1) ◽  
pp. 108-116 ◽  
Author(s):  
Max A. Aguirre ◽  
Marwa M. Hassan ◽  
Sharareh Shirzad ◽  
Louay N. Mohammad ◽  
Samuel B. Cooper

The use of recycled asphalt shingles (RAS) in asphalt paving construction represents a sustainable approach to reduce virgin material consumption and negative environmental effects, as well as the cost of asphalt pavement. However, many challenges are yet to be addressed about the use of RAS in paving applications. This study evaluated the effect of the incorporation of postconsumer waste shingles and rejuvenators on the performance of hot-mix asphalt. Four asphalt rejuvenators—one bio-oil and three synthetic oils—were evaluated. A set of laboratory tests was conducted to characterize the performance of asphalt mixtures against permanent deformation and fatigue cracking. The addition of 5% RAS showed an improvement in permanent deformation when compared with a conventional mixture with no RAS. Yet the addition of asphalt rejuvenator products slightly decreased the performance against permanent deformation. On the basis of Hamburg wheel-tracking device test results, the addition of RAS did not adversely affect moisture resistance. Yet semicircular bending test results showed that the asphalt mixtures that contained asphalt rejuvenators had a lower critical strain energy release rate than the minimum threshold value (0.5 kJ/m2), which indicated a greater susceptibility to intermediate-temperature cracking.


Author(s):  
R. Michael Anderson ◽  
Hussain U. Bahia

The design of asphalt mixtures is a complex process that requires the proper proportioning of materials to satisfy mixture volumetric and mechanical properties. The majority of time spent in the mix design process is used in evaluating and selecting aggregate gradations to meet project requirements. The latest set of requirements for asphalt mixtures is the Superpave system, developed during the Strategic Highway Research Program. This system incorporates materials selection, evaluation of trial aggregate structures, selection of design asphalt binder content, moisture sensitivity, and, in some cases, determination of performance properties of the selected asphalt-aggregate blend. The selection of a design aggregate structure reduces to selecting an aggregate gradation that will meet minimum volumetric and densification criteria, and selecting an aggregate structure that will provide adequate resistance to permanent deformation, fatigue, and thermal cracking. In the Superpave volumetric mix design process, achieving voids in mineral aggregate (VMA) is the most difficult task facing the mix designer. One phase of this evaluation focuses on providing Guidelines to achieve VMA requirements with Superpave mix designs. This phase was accomplished by evaluating the existing database of information on Superpave mix designs at the Asphalt Institute. The second phase examines the relationship between properties determined during the Superpave volumetric mix design process, and material properties determined by mix analysis tests.


2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (13) ◽  
pp. 2697
Author(s):  
Gabriela Ceccon Carlesso ◽  
Glicério Trichês ◽  
João Victor Staub de Melo ◽  
Matheus Felipe Marcon ◽  
Liseane Padilha Thives ◽  
...  

Fatigue cracking and rutting are among the main distresses identified in flexible pavements. To reduce these problems and other distresses, modified asphalt mixtures have been designed and studied. In this regard, this paper presents the results of a study on rheological behavior and resistance to permanent deformation and to fatigue of four different asphalt mixtures: (1) with conventional asphalt binder (CAP 50/70); (2) with binder modified by nanoclay (3% NC); (3) with binder modified by styrene–butadiene–styrene polymer (SBS 60/85); and (4) with binder modified by nanoclay and SBS (3% NC + 2% SBS). For this analysis, the mixtures were evaluated based on complex modulus, permanent deformation tests, and fatigue tests (4PB, in the four-point bending apparatus), with the subsequent application of numerical simulations. The results obtained show a better rheological behavior related to greater resistance to permanent deformation for the mixture 3% NC + 2% SBS, which could represent an alternative for roads where a high resistance to rutting is required. Otherwise, on fatigue tests, higher resistance was observed for the SBS 60/85 mixture, followed by the 3% NC + 2% SBS mixture. Nevertheless, based on the results of the numerical simulations and considering the possibility of cost reduction for the use of the 3% NC + 2% SBS mixture, it is concluded that this modified material has potential to provide improvements to the road sector around the world, especially in Brazil.


Author(s):  
Mohammad Jamal Khattak ◽  
Gilbert Y. Baladi

A large research program sponsored by the Michigan Department of Transportation was designed and completed to evaluate the effect of polymer modification on the various properties of asphalt mixtures. These include the micro- and macrostructural, morphological, chemical, and engineering properties. Some of the engineering properties of the styrene-butadiene-styrene and styrene-etylene-butylene-styrene polymer-modified asphalt mixtures are presented and discussed. The elastic, fatigue, tensile, and permanent deformation properties were investigated at 60, 25, and –5°C. It was found that, for some polymer systems, the fatigue life and the indirect tensile strength increased considerably at 25°C while the elastic properties at -5°C were not affected by the addition of polymer. The implication of this is that the use of some polymer systems in asphalt mixtures enhances their fatigue cracking and rutting resistance without affecting the low temperature cracking potential.


2021 ◽  
Vol 6 (4) ◽  
pp. 58
Author(s):  
Ana Dias ◽  
Hugo Silva ◽  
Carlos Palha ◽  
Joel Oliveira

When temperatures drop to significantly low levels, road pavements are subjected to thermally-induced stresses, resulting in the appearance of thermal cracking, among other distresses. In these situations, polymers can be used as asphalt binder modifiers to improve certain asphalt binder properties, such as elastic recovery, cohesion, and ductility. Polymers also minimize some of the problems of asphalt mixtures, such as thermal and fatigue cracking and permanent deformation. This work’s objective was to study the behavior of asphalt mixtures at low temperatures, mainly when using modified binders. Thus, three binders were selected and tested: a standard 50/70 penetration grade bitumen and two polymer-modified binders (PMB), obtained by adding, respectively, 2.5% and 5.0% of styrene–butadiene–styrene (SBS) in the 50/70 pen grade bitumen. Then, the PMBs were incorporated into stone mastic asphalt mixtures (namely SMA 11), which were subjected to low-temperature mechanical tests based on the most recent European Standards. The asphalt binders and mixtures evaluated in this work were tested for thermal cracking resistance, creep, elastic recovery, cohesive strength, and ductility strength. Overall, it is concluded that the studied asphalt mixtures with PMB, with just 2.5% SBS, performed adequately at low temperatures down to −20 °C.


Polymers ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 13 (21) ◽  
pp. 3802
Author(s):  
Stefano Marini ◽  
Michele Lanotte

Waste rubber from end-of-life tires has been proved to be an excellent source of polymeric material for paving applications. Over the years, however, the rubberized asphalt technology has never been used in ‘lean’ (low bitumen content) asphalt mixtures typically used in arid regions. This study offers an insight on the potential benefits and drawbacks resulting from this technology if applied in such ‘lean’ mixes. Results show that the ‘lean’ nature of those asphalt mixes eliminates the potential benefits given by the modified bitumen for rutting performance. Instead, the aggregates gradation plays a major role in the response of the materials, with gap-graded mixtures often outperforming those with a dense-graded gradation. On the contrary, fatigue cracking resistance is affected by the bitumen properties, and rubberized asphalt perform better than others. The performance-based analysis suggests that the current specifications tend to overachieve the goal of reducing permanent deformation while cracking becomes a major concern which can be solved by using rubberized asphalt. In the field, gap-graded asphalt with rubberized bitumen showed the best response in terms of skid resistance and noise reduction.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document