SENSITIVITY OF SUPERPAVE MIXTURE TESTS TO CHANGES IN MIXTURE COMPONENTS

NCHRP 9-7, Field Procedures and Equipment to Implement SHRP Asphalt specifications, was developed to determine the test procedures necessary to produce Superpave mixtures. As part of this research, some of the equipment and procedures developed during SHRP were evaluated. Of particular interest to technologies is the sensitivity of the Superpave mixture tests to changes in key mixture components. In other words, if asphalt binder content was increased by 0.5 percent, will the Superpave mixture tests detect the change and result in a change in material properties? The purpose of this research was to analyze if laboratory changes in mixture components will result in significant mixture property (volumetric and mechanical) changes. An experiment was executed that analyzed 17 mixtures with varying levels of asphalt content, gradation, and proportion of natural and crushed sand. The results of the research indicated that volumetric properties were most sensitive to changes in asphalt content and fine gradation. The interaction of these two variables appeared to have the most significant effect on the volumetric and densification properties of the mixture. The research also indicated that the mechanical properties of the mixtures were most affected by asphalt content and coarse gradation. All mechanical properties and volumetric properties showed expected changes with changes in asphalt content (i.e. as asphalt content increased, the percentage of air voids decreased, permanent shear strain increased, etc.). Volumetric properties appear to be adequate in estimating mixture mechanical properties, but may not be absolutely reliable. The results of this research indicated some exceptions to this general rule.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/issn/02702932
• Corporate Authors:

  Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)

  400 Selby Avenue, Suite I
  St Paul, MN  United States  55102
• Authors:
  • Anderson, R M
  • Cominsky, R J
  • Killingsworth, B M
• Conference:
  • Asphalt Paving Technology 1998
  • Location: Boston, Massachusetts
  • Date: 1998-3-16 to 1998-3-18
• Publication Date: 1998

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: p. 153-188
• Serial:
  • Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists
  • Volume: 67
  • Publisher: Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists (AAPT)
  • ISSN: 0270-2932
  • Serial URL: https://www.asphalttechnology.org/site_page.cfm?pk_association_webpage_menu=9169&pk_association_webpage=19109

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt content; Fine aggregates; Mechanical properties; Mix design; Shear strain; Volumetric analysis
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00758871
• Record Type: Publication
• Files: TRIS, ATRI
• Created Date: Jan 21 1999 12:00AM