STONE MATRIX ASPHALT (SMA) MIXTURES. FINAL REPORT

Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) is defined as a gap-graded aggregate-asphalt hot mix that maximizes the asphalt cement content and coarse aggregate fraction. This provides a stable stone-on-stone skeleton that is held together by a rich mixture of asphalt cement, filler, and stabilizing agent. This report begins with a discussion of the differences between U.S. and European practices with regard to SMA. It is shown that there is a significant amount of work required to establish precisely what properties are necessary to have an SMA mixture. It is pointed out that structural testing of SMA mixes will be required to indicate the relative effects of mixture composition, materials, additives, and what must be done to obtain the requisite properties of an SMA mixture. To address these concerns and to evaluate the ability of Illinois aggregates and asphalt binders to be successfully used in an SMA mixture, the project reported here was initiated. The project objectives were as follows: Establish the state of the art in SMA mix design; Conduct mix designs using accepted materials available to the Illinois Department of Transportation (IDOT); Determine structural properties of the mixes, and available field mixes to establish comparisons with standard IDOT hot mix asphalts (HMAs); and Highlight areas of importance in the SMA mix design and testing procedures, and where possible make specific recommendations on material suitability and testing procedures. The project results are reported in the following chapters: (1) Characterization of Stone Matrix Asphalt (SMA) Mixtures; (2) Material Selection; (3) Mix Design and Sample Preparation; (4) SMA Mixture Property Verification; (5) Structural Characterization of SMA Mixtures; and (6) Conclusions.

• Corporate Authors:

  University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign

  Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering
  205 North Mathews Avenue
  Urbana, IL  United States  61801-2352

  Illinois Department of Transportation

  Bureau of Materials and Physical Research
  126 East Ash Street
  Springfield, IL  United States  62704-4766
• Authors:
  • Carpenter, S H
• Publication Date: 1994-7

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 65 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt content; Coarse aggregates; Definitions; Gap graded aggregates; Hot mix asphalt; Materials selection; Mix design; Properties of materials; Recommendations; State of the art studies; Stone matrix asphalt; Structural analysis; Technology; Test procedures
• Uncontrolled Terms: Structural properties
• Geographic Terms: Europe
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Research; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00670374
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: Project IB-H1, FY92
• Files: TRIS, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Dec 6 1994 12:00AM