Support for Balanced Asphalt Mixture Design Specification Development in Missouri

The primary objective of the study conducted herein was to assist Missouri Department of Transportation (MoDOT) in the development of a balanced mix design asphalt specification in Missouri. At the onset of the study, a detailed climatic study was conducted. Next, asphalt performance testing was carried out across a range of temperatures to establish property-temperature relationships. Eleven mixtures were tested using the Disk-Shaped Compact Tension Test (DCT) across a range of low temperatures, while the Hamburg Wheel Tracking Test (HWTT) was conducted across a range of high temperatures. Mixture testing was carried out on both plant-produced mixtures and field cores. Two additional cracking tests were investigated in this portion of the study: the Illinois Flexibility Index Test, or I-FIT, and the IDEAL cracking test. Field performance data from MoDOT’s pavement management database was extracted to assist with the development of specification thresholds for the cracking and rutting tests investigated. For Balanced Mix Design (BMD) specification development, a novel approach was taken herein whereby recommended specification thresholds were introduced for all three cracking tests currently under investigation in Missouri and across the Midwest (DC(T), I-FIT and IDEAL). While the current study focused on mainline, high-type mixes, preliminary recommendations for shoulder mixes and other low traffic paving applications are provided, which may be of interest in larger urban areas and for municipal projects where closer control of asphalt performance via testing and materials investment is of concern. Stone-Matrix Asphalt mixes were not considered in this study. The recommended tests and thresholds provided herein should be viewed as preliminary and can be adjusted based on practical considerations and stakeholder discussions in a consensus process. Further validation of the proposed BMD tests and limits via long term field monitoring or testing on a controlled test road or test track facility is highly recommended. Additional work to apply the recommended BMD to quality control specifications and performance-related quality assurance specifications in a practical manner is also recommended.

• Record URL:
  https://spexternal.modot.mo.gov/sites/cm/CORDT/cmr20-010.pdf
• Supplemental Notes:
  • July 2020; published September 2020.
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Missouri, Columbia

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  Columbia, MO  United States  65211-2200

  Missouri Department of Transportation

  Construction and Materials Division
  Jefferson City, MO  United States  65102

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Buttlar, William G
  • Urra-Contreras, Loreto
  • Jahangiri, Behnam
  • Rath, Punyaslok
  • Majidifard, Hamed
• Publication Date: 2020-9

Language

• English

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Edition: Final Report
• Features: Appendices; Figures; Maps; Photos; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 106p

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Cracking; Mix design; Recommendations; Rutting; Specifications; Temperature; Tension tests
• Identifier Terms: Loaded wheel tracking tests
• Geographic Terms: Missouri
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01757957
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: cmr 20-010
• Contract Numbers: TR201811
• Files: TRIS, ATRI, USDOT, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Nov 17 2020 2:31PM