EVALUATION OF THE SUPERPAVE GYRATORY COMPACTOR FOR LOW VOLUME ROADS

There is evidence that some Kansas mixes, which have performed well in the past, will not meet the currently proposed design requirements for a Superpave level I mix. The major problem is low voids in the mineral aggregate (VMA). The major reasons for low VMA are the high amounts of natural sand currently used and the higher compactive effort required by Superpave compared to 50-blow Marshall compaction. Cores, plant produced (field) mix, the original aggregates and asphalt cement were obtained from four low volume pavements. The cores established the in-place density of the pavements. The field mix was compacted in the Superpave Gyratory Compactor (SGC) to establish the number of gyrations required to reach the field density of the mix. The aggregates and asphalt cement were obtained and Superpave mix designs were performed. The void properties were evaluated at the original and revised Ndesign gyrations. The effect of reducing the ram pressure from 600 kPa to 400 kPa was evaluated as well. Even the revised Ndesign gyrations produce samples with densities higher than both 50-blow Marshall compaction and what was found in-place. VMA was the void parameter that controlled Superpave mix designs. Converting from Marshall to Superpave mixes will require new designs. Implementing the revised Ndesign requirements will ease the burden of converting from Marshall to Superpave mixes.

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• Record URL:
  https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/14161
• Corporate Authors:

  University of Kansas, Lawrence

  Center for Research, 2291 Irving Hill Drive-Campus West
  Lawrence, KS  United States  66045

  Kansas Department of Transportation

  Docking State Office Building
  Topeka, KS  United States  66612
• Authors:
  • Cross, S A
  • Lee, J C
• Publication Date: 2000-6

Language

• English

Media Info

• Features: Appendices; Figures; References; Tables;
• Pagination: 62 p.

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Air voids; Asphalt cement; Cores (Specimens); Density; Gyratory testing machines; Low volume roads; Marshall test; Mineral aggregates; Mix design; Superpave
• Uncontrolled Terms: Gyratory compactors; Voids in mineral aggregate
• Geographic Terms: Kansas
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; I31: Bituminous Binders and Materials;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00800197
• Record Type: Publication
• Report/Paper Numbers: KS-00-2,, Final Report
• Contract Numbers: C949
• Files: NTL, TRIS, ATRI, STATEDOT
• Created Date: Oct 13 2000 12:00AM