Estimating Results of a Proposed Simple Performance Test for Hot-Mix Asphalt from Superpave Gyratory Compactor Results

Abstract

This study intended to use the Superpave® gyratory compactor (SGC) as a basis for estimating the stability of asphalt mixtures as a surrogate for proposed method for the simple performance test. Several asphalt mixtures were produced with varying aggregate sources, asphalt contents, and gradations. Every mixture was compacted with the SGC and evaluated with the repeated compression test procedure for rutting measurements recommended by NCHRP Project 9–19 and the AASHTO 2002 pavement design manual to evaluate whether the results from the SGC can be related to the rutting of mixtures. Densification curves produced by the SGC were used to determine the volumetric properties besides the calculation of the traffic densification index (TDI), which represents the densification experienced by traffic loading during pavement service life. The traffic force index (TFI) was also calculated with a special accessory added to the SGC during compaction (the pressure distributor analyzer). The TFI represents the work done by the traffic to densify the mixture. Results from the mixture rutting tests were used to estimate the flow number (FN). The FN, an important mixture property, is shown to have a strong correlation to the TFI. The TFI was also found to be strongly correlated with the TDI and gives an opportunity to estimate the mixture resistance to compaction forces with the use of its volumetric behavior. The main finding of the study is that the SGC appears to give information that can be used to characterize the stability of the mixtures. Such information could be used as an initial screening criterion to select mixtures for various traffic levels.