Rutting Performance of Cold-Applied Asphalt Repair Materials for Airfield Pavements

Cold-applied asphalt mixtures are often used for pavement repair, primarily because of the small quantities involved and/or the unavailability of hot-mixed asphalt. These cold-applied mixtures have poorer rutting resistance than hot-mixed asphalt, because additives, often solvent, are required to provide adequate workability for placement at ambient temperatures. This study evaluated the rutting performance of nine commercial cold-applied asphalt materials using laboratory wheel tracking data and field rutting measurements to determine their suitability for airfield pavements. Products included traditional cutback-cold mixtures as well as water-activated mixtures. Laboratory and field rutting measurements agreed and showed that water-activated materials outperformed cutback materials. No cutback products achieved the target threshold of less than 25 mm of rutting after 100 passes of simulated F-15E aircraft traffic at any cure time; water-activated products met the F-15E rutting criteria at longer cure times (24 to 72 h) but not at the 2-h expedient cure time.