Ranking of the Commonly Used Aggregate and Asphalt Binder Systems in Arkansas
Publication: Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part B: Pavements
Volume 150, Issue 3
Abstract
The Arkansas Department of Transportation (ARDOT) Maintenance Division is concerned about the use of certain aggregates in asphalt mixture because of their durability and performance issues. Good performance of the pavements can be ensured by selecting good-quality aggregates along with asphalt binders that can produce compatible aggregate–binder systems. The primary goal of this research was to determine proper asphalt binders and aggregates for the construction of highways in Arkansas. Three performance grade (PG) asphalt binders, namely PG 64-22, PG 70-22, and PG 76-22, prepared from two different crude sources, were investigated. This study also included four types of ARDOT-commissioned aggregates, namely gravel, sandstone, limestone, and dolomite, from four quarries throughout Arkansas. Selected properties of asphalt binders and aggregates (e.g., physical, mechanical, and chemical) were evaluated by performing a series of routine laboratory tests. To evaluate the performance of the asphalt mixtures, work of cohesion, work of adhesion, and boiling resistance tests were conducted. These aggregates, binders, and aggregate–binder systems were ranked based on the properties obtained from laboratory tests. In general, any combination of dolomite or limestone with a stiffer binder such as PG 76-22 or PG 70-22 is expected to be superior to an asphalt mixture with either sandstone or gravel. The outcomes of this research will help highway agencies and pavement professionals in selecting suitable asphalt binders and aggregates for long-lasting pavement construction.
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Data Availability Statement
All data, models, and code generated or used during the study appear in the published article.
Acknowledgments
The authors acknowledge the financial support provided by the United States Department of Transportation (Grant No. 69A3551747106). The authors are grateful to the ARDOT, and to the suppliers of the binders and aggregates for providing test materials for this study.
Author contributions: The authors confirm their contribution to the paper as follows: Z. Hossain and T. Bagchi: Study conception and Design. Z. Hossain, T. Bagchi, and S. Roy: Data collection Z. Hossain, T. Bagchi, and G. Baumgardner: Analysis and Interpretation of results. Z. Hossain and T. Bagchi: Draft manuscript preparation. All authors reviewed the results and approved the final version of the manuscript.
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Information & Authors
Information
Published In
Journal of Transportation Engineering, Part B: Pavements
Volume 150 • Issue 3 • September 2024
Copyright
© 2024 American Society of Civil Engineers.
History
Received: May 2, 2023
Accepted: Apr 23, 2024
Published online: Jul 12, 2024
Published in print: Sep 1, 2024
Discussion open until: Dec 12, 2024
ASCE Technical Topics:
- Aggregates
- Asphalt pavements
- Binders (material)
- Business management
- Construction engineering
- Construction industry
- Construction management
- Engineering fundamentals
- Engineering materials (by type)
- Infrastructure
- Infrastructure construction
- Laboratory tests
- Management methods
- Materials characterization
- Materials engineering
- Mixtures
- Pavements
- Practice and Profession
- Ratings
- Tests (by type)
- Transportation engineering
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