ASPHALT CONCRETE FOR COLD REGIONS, A COMPARATIVE LABORATORY STUDY AND ANALYSIS OF MIXTURES CONTAINING SOFT AND HARD GRADES OF ASPHALT CEMENT

Pavements containing soft asphalt cement have been shown in the past to be less susceptible to low-temperature contraction cracking, but more susceptible to traffic-load-associated distress in warm weather, than pavements with harder asphalt cements. This research comprised laboratory testing to determine the properties of asphalt-aggregate mixtures containing three grades of asphalt cements, and analyses to project the performance of pavements containing each of the asphalts, in resisting thermally induced distress and traffic-associated distress. From the results it is concluded that only the softest asphalt cement tested (AC 2.5) would perform satisfactorily in a cold climatic zone. The moderately soft (AC 5) and moderately hard (AC 20) asphalt cements showed little susceptibility to thermal cracking in a moderate and a warm climatic zone, respectively. The AC 2.5 and AC 5 asphalts are not recommended for use in warm climates, however, owing to increased susceptibility to rutting under traffic. (Author)

• Corporate Authors:

  U.S. Army Cold Regions Research and Engineering Laboratory

  72 Lyme Road
  Hanover, NH  United States  03755-1290
• Authors:
  • Dempsey, B J
  • Ingersoll, J
  • Johnson, T C
  • Shahin, M Y
• Publication Date: 1980-1

Media Info

• Pagination: 63 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt; Asphalt concrete; Concrete; Fatigue (Mechanics); Fracture mechanics; Frigid regions; Ground traffic; Hardness; Laboratory studies; Mixtures; Pavement cracking; Pavements; Strain (Mechanics); Strength of materials; Stresses; Thermal stresses; Traffic loads; Viscosity
• Geographic Terms: Arctic Regions
• Old TRIS Terms: Arctic area
• Subject Areas: Freight Transportation; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00317623
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Technical Information Service
• Report/Paper Numbers: CRREL-80-5
• Files: TRIS
• Created Date: Jul 22 1980 12:00AM