THE EXPANDED MONTANA ASPHALT QUALITY STUDY USING HIGH PRESSURE LIQUID CHROMATOGRAPHY. FINAL REPORT

This report describes a study of asphalts by High Performance Gel Permeation Chromatography (HP-GPC). The asphalts were obtained from pavements in 15 states. Performance of the pavements with respect to cracking (especially transverse cracking) was compared with the HP-GPC data. General trends were found in this study. Asphalts with lesser amounts of large molecular size (LMS) material tend to give better performance than do those with larger amounts. The level of LMS content above which cracking predominates is a function of climate in that more LMS material can be tolerated in warmer zones than in colder areas. Data is given for all climate zones and LMS limits are also recommended. Several ancillary studies were also carried out. Analyses of virgin asphalts supplies showed a wide variety of HP-GPC profiles, even within penetration or viscosity grade. Differences were also noted among the products from a given refinery source. Furthermore, new asphalt supplies were frequently different from materials seen in the states' pavements. Other studies involved a series of Florida samples which showed that the effects of mixing temperature and aging in pavement on the HP-GPC profile depends upon the asphalt and, presumably, the aggregate. Some asphalts are more sensitive than others and show larger increases in LMS content. Samples from recycling projects in which various design and mix criteria were used, were analyzed. HP-GPC shows the effect of the addition of recycling agents and virgin asphalts. Steps which may be taken to implement the results of this project are suggested. Knowledge is at a stage in which the technique may be used in monitoring asphalt supplies, aiding in design of both normal and recycled pavements and in shadow specifications. Instigation of a national specification involving HP-GPC would appear to be premature at this time.

• Record URL:
  • https://apps.itd.idaho.gov/apps/research/Completed/RP103.pdf
• 
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Funding and other support by 18 State Highway or Transportation Agencies.
• Corporate Authors:

  Montana State University, Bozeman

  Department of Chemistry
  Bozeman, MT  United States  59717

  Montana State Highway Traffic Safety Division

  Research Program, 2701 Prospect Avenue
  Helena, MT  United States  59620

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Authors:
  • Jennings, P W
  • Prinbanic, JAS
• Publication Date: 1985-4

Media Info

• Media Type: Digital/other
• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 181 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Asphalt pavements; Climate; Mix design; Monitoring; Pavement cracking; Pavement design; Pavement performance; Pavements; Quality control; Recycled materials; Recycling; Specifications; Temperature
• Uncontrolled Terms: Quality
• Old TRIS Terms: Aging; High performance gel permeation chromatography; Recycled pavements
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00453698
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: FHWA-MT-85-001
• Contract Numbers: 00003(8)
• Files: TRIS, USDOT
• Created Date: Jul 31 1989 12:00AM