Evaluation of Different VMA Estimation Methods for Asphalt Mixtures Containing RAP
Publication: Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 32, Issue 7
Abstract
During asphalt mixture production, the bulk specific gravity () of the mixture aggregate is not routinely measured to determine voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA), because this requires multiple tests and extended testing time. Instead, state agencies have used several alternatives to determine the VMA of plant-produced asphalt mixtures. This study determined the effect of these methods on the VMA determination during production. Materials, including virgin aggregates, reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP), and plant-produced mixtures were sampled from 10 projects in Florida. Four methods were employed to determine of RAP aggregates, and six methods were used to calculate VMA of plant-produced mixtures. The study results indicated that of ignition-extracted RAP aggregate and the total aggregate blend can be used to calculate the VMA of the mixes during mix design and production if they have been adjusted to account for the effect of the ignition method on the aggregate material.
Get full access to this article
View all available purchase options and get full access to this article.
Acknowledgments
The authors thank the Federal Highway Administration and the Florida DOT for their support and assistance in this research project.
References
AASHTO. 2012a. Standard method of test for theoretical maximum specific gravity (Gmm) and density of hot mix asphalt (HMA). AASHTO T 209. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2012b. Standard specification for Superpave volumetric mix design. AASHTO M 323. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2013. Specific gravity and absorption of fine gravity. AASHTO T 84. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2014a. Standard method of test for quantitative extraction of asphalt binder from hot mix asphalt (HMA). AASHTO T 164. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2014b. Standard method of test for specific gravity and absorption of coarse aggregate. AASHTO T 85. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
AASHTO. 2018. Standard method of test for determining the asphalt binder content of hot mix asphalt (HMA) by the ignition method. AASHTO T 308. Washington, DC: AASHTO.
Anderson, R. M., and R. A. Bentsen. 2001. “Influence of voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA) on the mechanical properties of coarse and fine asphalt mixtures (with discussion).” J. Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 70 (1): 1–37.
Christensen, D. W., and R. F. Bonaquist. 2006. Volumetric requirements for Superpave mix design. Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Copeland, A. 2011. Reclaimed asphalt pavement in asphalt mixtures: State of the practice. McLean, VA: Federal Highway Administration.
Hajj, E., Y. P. Sebaaly, R. West, N. Morian, and L. Loria. 2012. “Recommendations for the characterization of RAP aggregate properties using traditional testing and mixture volumetrics.” Supplement, Road Mater. Pavement Des. 13 (S1): 209–233. https://doi.org/10.1080/14680629.2012.657072.
Hall, K. D., and S. G. Williams. 1999. “Effects of the ignition method on aggregate properties.” J. Assoc. Asphalt Paving Technol. 68 (1): 574–588.
Horan, R. 2003. “Effective specific gravity for VMA calculations.” Asphalt Institute Magazine, October 3, 2003.
Kvasnak, A., R. West, J. Michael, L. Loria, E. Y. Hajj, and N. Tran. 2010. “Bulk specific gravity of reclaimed asphalt pavement aggregate evaluating the effect on voids in mineral aggregate.” Transp. Res. Rec. 2180 (1): 30–35. https://doi.org/10.3141/2180-04.
Prowell, B. D., and C. B. Carter. 2000. Evaluation of the effect on aggregate properties of samples extracted using the ignition furnace. Charlottesville, VA: Virginia Transportation Research Council.
Thakur, S. C., J. Han, W. K. Chong, and R. L. Parsons. 2011. “Comparison of properties of RAP aggregates extracted by ignition and centrifuge methods.” In Proc., Geo-Frontiers Conf.: Advances in Geotechnical Engineering, 4525–4534. Reston, VA: ASCE.
West, R., M. A. Heitzman, D. Rausch, and G. Julian. 2011. Laboratory refinement and field validation of 4.75 mm Superpave designed asphalt mixtures. Auburn, AL: National Center for Asphalt Technology.
West, R., J. R. Willis, and M. Marasteanu. 2013. Vol. 752 of Improved mix design, evaluation, and materials management practices for hot mix asphalt with high reclaimed asphalt pavement content, Rep. No. National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP). Washington, DC: Transportation Research Board.
Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Materials in Civil Engineering
Volume 32 • Issue 7 • July 2020
Copyright
©2020 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: Mar 23, 2019
Accepted: Dec 11, 2019
Published online: Apr 22, 2020
Published in print: Jul 1, 2020
Discussion open until: Sep 22, 2020
Authors
Metrics & Citations
Metrics
Citations
Download citation
If you have the appropriate software installed, you can download article citation data to the citation manager of your choice. Simply select your manager software from the list below and click Download.