Laboratory investigation of asphalt pavements with low density and recommendations to prevent density deficiency

Alireza Zeinali, Phillip B. Blankenship, R. Michael Anderson, Kamyar C. Mahboub

Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceedingConference contributionpeer-review

2 Scopus citations

Abstract

In most USA asphalt construction projects the goal of compacting a hot-mix asphalt (HMA) layer is to achieve the optimum density which is 92% of the maximum specific gravity (Gmm) of the asphalt mixture. However, this level of density is not always achieved. This paper evaluates the effect of field compaction deficiencies on the HMA durability through laboratory testing. HMA samples were collected from construction sites in the United States. A series of laboratory tests were conducted to compare the performance of HMA mixtures at their actual in-place density as well as the desired density of 92% of Gmm. The statistical analysis on the results showed that the performance of the pavements could significantly improve by eliminating the deficiencies in their in-place densities. Moreover, the compactibility of the mixtures was investigated using the compaction data from the Superpave gyratory compactor. Compaction characteristics of the mixtures were compared to a control mixture, and the results showed that the shortage in the binder content of the mixtures could be a major factor which may have caused the density deficiencies. Furthermore, the effect of higher-than-optimum binder content was evaluated on the compactibility of the control mixture.

Original languageEnglish
Title of host publicationInnovation and Sustainable Technology in Road and Airfield Pavement
Pages128-135
Number of pages8
DOIs
StatePublished - 2013
Event8th International Conference on Road and Airfield Pavement Technology, ICPT 2013 - Taipei, Taiwan, Province of China
Duration: Jul 14 2013Jul 18 2013

Publication series

NameAdvanced Materials Research
Volume723
ISSN (Print)1022-6680

Conference

Conference8th International Conference on Road and Airfield Pavement Technology, ICPT 2013
Country/TerritoryTaiwan, Province of China
CityTaipei
Period7/14/137/18/13

Keywords

  • Air void content
  • Compactibility
  • Fatigue
  • Hot-mix asphalt
  • In-place density
  • Pavement materials
  • Performance test
  • Rutting
  • Superpave gyratory compactor

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Engineering

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Laboratory investigation of asphalt pavements with low density and recommendations to prevent density deficiency'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this