A COMPREHENSIVE EVALUATION OF ENVIRONMENTAL CONDITIONING SYSTEM

Many highway agencies face the problem of premature failure of asphalt concrete pavements due to moisture damage. Various laboratory tests have been used to predict the moisture susceptibility of asphalt concrete mixtures. Unfortunately, none of the available laboratory tests are able to accurately discriminate between well and poor performing mixes; that is, the laboratory test results do not necessarily correlate well with the field performance. Recent studies performed under the Strategic Highway Research Program (SHRP) indicate that the environmental conditioning system (ECS) is a device that better simulates the field conditions. Based on the initial studies, the ECS seemed to be able to distinguish moisture susceptible mixes. A recent study conducted by the Colorado Department of Transportation suggested that the ECS device and testing procedure needed further evaluation before it could be incorporated in the routine use. A study was undertaken at the University of Texas at El Paso (UTEP) to evaluate the ECS. Based on the results from this study, the ECS needs improvements both in terms of conditioning of asphalt concrete mixture, as well as, resilient modulus test setup. Specifically, the resilient modulus test setup of the ECS needs improvement in the precision and accuracy of the measurements.

  • Supplemental Notes:
    • Research study title: Evaluation of ECS for Predicting Damage Susceptibility of HMAC.
  • Corporate Authors:

    University of Texas, El Paso

    Center for Geotechnical and Highway Materials Research
    El Paso, TX  United States  79968-0516

    Texas Department of Transportation

    Research and Technology Transfer Office, P.O. Box 5051
    Austin, TX  United States  78763-5051

    Federal Highway Administration

    1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
    Washington, DC  United States  20590
  • Authors:
    • Tandon, Vivek
    • Vemuri, N
    • Nazarian, S
  • Publication Date: 1996-7

Language

  • English

Media Info

  • Features: Figures; Tables;
  • Pagination: 30 p.

Subject/Index Terms

Filing Info

  • Accession Number: 00724961
  • Record Type: Publication
  • Report/Paper Numbers: TX-96-1455-1, Res Rept 1455-1
  • Contract Numbers: Study 0-1455
  • Files: TRIS, USDOT, STATEDOT
  • Created Date: Aug 27 1996 12:00AM