Laboratory Evaluation of the Workability and Compactability of Asphaltic Materials prior to Road Construction
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 25, Issue 6
Abstract
Asphalt mix compaction is dependent on many factors, particularly gradation, asphalt grade and content, aggregate size, temperature, and compactor manufacturer. The new development in polymer-modified asphalt has a major impact on asphalt pavement compaction in the field. Although it leads to improving overall mechanical characteristics, there are concerns that mixes become drier and more difficult to compact. This paper aims to develop compaction indices using the Superpave gyratory compactor to evaluate the workability and compactability of the mixes during the routine mix design process and prior to laydown operations. Workability is reflected in the ease of blending the mix components using construction equipment. Compactability is reflected in the mixes’ stability and resistance to densification under traffic loading. To identify adequate thresholds for the compactability indices, performance testing is required to validate the long-term behavior of these mixes. This was accomplished in two phases: laboratory performance testing and field performance testing. The former was conducted using Hamburg wheel tracking, rutting, and dynamic modulus tests, whereas the latter phase was accomplished through accelerated pavement testing. Evaluation of the mixes’ internal structure effect on the compaction indices, in terms of aggregate orientation and number of contacts, was also investigated.
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Acknowledgments
The research work presented in this paper was conducted under TxDOT Project # 0-6132. The authors express their sincere thanks to TxDOT for their financial support. Special gratitude also goes to all the people and institutions that provided assistance in the course of this research including LTRC and NCAT for using some of their data.
The contents of this paper reflect the views of the authors, who are solely responsible for the facts and accuracy of the data presented and do not necessarily reflect the official views of any agency, nor does the paper constitute a standard specification of any kind. Trade names were used solely for information and not for product endorsement.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 25 • Issue 6 • June 2013
Pages: 810 - 818
Copyright
© 2013 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Feb 18, 2011
Accepted: Jul 13, 2012
Published online: Aug 29, 2012
Published in print: Jun 1, 2013
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