Improved method of considering air void and asphalt content changes on long-term performance of asphalt concrete pavements

Abstract

Mixture properties (aggregate gradation and volumetric quantities), rate of loading and environmental conditions are the most important factors that affect the |E*| values. The main objective of this study was to develop a rational approach to investigate and model the effect of air voids and asphalt content on the |E*| master curves and consequently predict pavement performance. In this study, |E*| tests were conducted on three asphalt concrete mixtures with the same aggregate gradation, but different binder grades. For each of these mixtures, the air void and asphalt contents were varied at three levels. It is found that the developed method provides a more accurate estimate of the effects of volumetric changes in hot mix asphalt. The application of the proposed approach would be most beneficial for quality control/quality assurance purposes, performance-related specifications and for estimating contractors' incentives and penalties, where |E*| is utilised to predict the pavement performance.

Keywords::

• dynamic modulus (|E*|)
• air voids
• asphalt content
• pavement
• performance

Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank Dr Laungrungrong at ASU for her assistance in developing the regression models. Dr Matthew Witczak's general overview guidance and valuable input to the manuscript are acknowledged and greatly appreciated by the authors.

Additional information

Funding

The paper was prepared as a part of the NCHRP Project 9-44A, which is funded by the National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP).