Investigation of rutting performance of asphalt mixtures containing polymer modifiers

A research including a large experimental campaign on the characterization of the viscoelastic behavior of different bituminous materials was developed. The aim is to establish the links between the viscoelastic properties (which are observed in the small strain domain) of binders and those of bituminous mixes. The viscoelastic behavior of bituminous binders and mixes has been studied by performing complex modulus tests at different temperatures and frequencies. A unique rheological model has been developed for the modeling of linear viscoelastic properties of both bituminous binders and mixes. This model consists of a generalization of the Huet-Sayegh analogical model. Analyses on test data for nine different binders and four mixes, with one mix design, show that the introduced model fits quite well the measurements. Finally, from our first results, a transformation that is independent of the introduced model allows to predict easily and efficiently the mix complex modulus from the binder one.

General “2S2P1D” Model and Relation Between the Linear Viscoelastic Behaviours of Bituminous Binders and Mixes

http://research.me.mtu.edu/abstracts/Odegard%20-%20Nanoclay-%20modified%20asphalt%20materials.pdf

Nanoclay-modified asphalt materials: Preparation and characterization

Boundary element methods in solid mechanics

Morphology, rheology, and physical properties of polymer-modified asphalt binders

A result of the Strategic Highway Research Program's asphalt research is the development of performance-based specifications for asphalt binders and mixtures to control 3 distress modes: rutting; fatigue cracking; and thermal cracking. The SHRP A-005 project developed detailed pavement performance models to support these binder and mixture specifications and performance-based mixture designs. This report documents the findings of this extensive research effort and provides supporting data for the performance-based specifications and mixture design procedure called SUPERPAVE. The A-005 contract developed and used a sophisticated, mechanistic-based pavement performance model to define the relationships between asphalt binder and mixture properties and pavement distress. A comprehensive pavement performance model was developed that predicts the amount of fatigue cracking, thermal cracking and rutting in asphalt concrete pavements with time, using results from the accelerated laboratory tests. The pavement performance models for each distress were also used to confirm the relevant binder and mixture properties established by other SHRP contractors. The model has 3 parts: a mixture evaluation model; a pavement response model; and a pavement distress model.

Development and validation of performance prediction models and specifications for asphalt binders and paving mixes

The objectives of this study were: (1) to briefly review existing laboratory testing modes and establish the relevance, adequacy, advantages, and disadvantages of using the indirect tensile mode to obtain properties of asphalt concrete mixtures; (2) to illustrate the serious errors that can be made in determining asphalt concrete properties when these are computed using the conventional vertical and horizontal deformation measurements obtained on the specimen's exterior; (3) to develop a measurement and analysis system to accurately determine asphalt concrete properties using the indirect tensile mode; and (4) to evaluate and compare the accuracy of the proposed measurement and analysis system to that of existing measurement and analysis systems.

The development of a measurement and analysis system to accurately determine asphalt concrete properties using the indirect tensile mode

It is now well-recognized that top-down cracking is a major form of distress in hot mix asphalt pavements A detailed analysis and evaluation of 22 field test sections throughout the state of Florid ...

Development and Field Evaluation of Energy-Based Criteria for Top-down Cracking Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt

Identification and verification of a suitable crack growth law

Recent laboratory and field studies at the University of Florida have led to the development of a viscoelastic fracture mechanics-based crack growth law for asphalt mixtures that is capable of fully describing both initiation and propagation of cracks in asphalt mixtures for any combination of loading and temperature conditions. The model requires the determination of only four fundamental mixture parameters that can be obtained from less than one hour of testing using the Superpave Indirect Tension Test. These parameters can account for micro-damage, crack propagation, and healing for stated loading conditions, temperatures, and rest periods. This paper summarizes the developments leading to the model, and describes the model and its potential use in the areas of mixture design and optimization, performance-based specifications, and pavement design.

Reynaldo Roque

Papers

Development and validation of performance prediction models and specifications for asphalt binders and paving mixes

The development of a measurement and analysis system to accurately determine asphalt concrete properties using the indirect tensile mode

Development and Field Evaluation of Energy-Based Criteria for Top-down Cracking Performance of Hot Mix Asphalt

Identification and verification of a suitable crack growth law

Hot mix asphalt fracture mechanics: a fundamental crack growth law for asphalt mixtures