A simplified performance-based specification for asphalt pavements

Document Type

Conference Proceeding

Publication Date

1-1-2015

Abstract

In order to guarantee quality construction of asphalt pavements, an effective construction specification is essential. Such a specification should clearly identify the quality goals to ensure that the as-built pavement meets the as-designed criteria. Louisiana's current construction specification for asphalt pavements adopts a Quality Control (QC) and Quality Assurance (QA) procedure, which describes the required quality goals in terms of the volumetric and physical properties of asphalt mixtures and roadways. However, there is no fundamental correlation to ensure that these volumetric properties are sufficient to provide satisfactory long-term performance of the asphalt pavements. Therefore, developing performance-based specifications (PBS), which rely on the fundamental mechanical asphalt mixture properties as performance predictors, is needed to complement current QC/QA specifications. The objective of this paper is to introduce a simplified performance-oriented specification approach developed for new and rehabilitated asphalt pavements in Louisiana. A total of nine field projects across Louisiana were selected, of which six were existing projects that have been in service for three to eight years, and three were new projects. Hamburg-type loaded wheel tracking (LWT) device and semi-circular bending (SCB) test were conducted to measure proposed performance indicators of asphalt pavements from the field core samples for rutting and cracking performances. In addition, indirect tensile dynamic modulus (IDT |E∗|) test was conducted for viscoelastic characterization of asphalt mixtures, which were used in the performance predictions of AASHTOWare Pavement ME-Design. The laboratory-measured rutting and cracking performance indicators were then compared with the field distress data obtained from the Louisiana Pavement Management System (LA PMS) for the selected projects and compared with the laboratory test results. The LWT measured rut depths of 10 mm and 6 mm were established as the tentative target quality limits for Level 1 and Level 2 (High Traffic) asphalt pavements, respectively. Minimum SCB Jc values of 0.5 and 0.6 kJ/m2 were selected as the tentative performance criteria to avoid cracking related problems in Level 1 and Level 2 asphalt pavements, respectively.

Publication Source (Journal or Book title)

Asphalt Paving Technology: Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists-Proceedings of the Technical Sessions

First Page

369

Last Page

412

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