Superpave Mix Designs for Arkansas

Superpave, an asphalt concrete mixture design procedure developed under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP), is to be implemented state-wide in Arkansas in 1998. The Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department (AHTD) sponsored TRC-9604, Superpave Mix Designs for Arkansas, to investigate potential impacts of Superpave implementation on current mix design practice. Aggregates currently used in Arkansas for hot-mix asphalt concrete (HMAC) appear to be acceptable for use in Superpave. It is recommended that AHTD retain (and slightly refine) existing specifications for aggregate source properties, and adopt Superpave specifications for aggregate consensus properties. Recommended adoption of Superpave gradation specifications may result in significant reductions in the use of sand-sized aggregates in HMAC, particularly natural (rounded) sands. HMAC volumetric analysis in Superpave is similar to current AHTD methods, with two notable differences — the method for calculating voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA), and the definition of the dust proportion ("fines to asphalt ratio"). It is recommended that AHTD adopt Superpave specifications in both instances. It is also recommended that AHTD refine its method for estimating the moisture sensitivity of an HMAC mixture (where it currently uses the Marshall stability test) to reflect current Superpave methodology — the use of the split-tensile strength to determine the effect of moisture on the mix. Overall, the transition from traditional Marshall based mix design to Superpave is certainly feasible, and can be accomplished using current Arkansas aggregates.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.ardot.gov/wp-content/uploads/2021/01/TRC9604_Superpave_Mix_Designs_for_Arkansas.pdf
• 
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Arkansas, Fayetteville

  Department of Civil Engineering, 4190 Bell Engineering Center
  Fayetteville, AR  United States  72701

  Arkansas State Highway and Transportation Department

  Planning and Research Division, P.O. Box 2261
  Little Rock, AR  United States  72203

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Hall, Kevin D
  • Williams, Stacy G
• Publication Date: 1998-10

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 56p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aggregate gradation; Fine materials; Mix design; Specifications; Superpave; Tensile strength
• Uncontrolled Terms: Moisture sensitivity; Voids in mineral aggregate
• Geographic Terms: Arkansas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01548300
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: TRC-9604
• Contract Numbers: TRC-9604
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 22 2014 7:11PM