Assessing Cracking Test Methods to Improve the Performance of ADOT Asphalt Mixes

Temperature and precipitation vary widely across Arizona, presenting a challenge in designing asphalt mixes for pavements that resist both cracking and rutting. A balanced approach to asphalt mixtures that considers both cracking and rutting resistance is important to minimize maintenance costs and extend the life of the pavement. ADOT currently uses both the Marshall and Superpave methods to design asphalt mixtures. The ADOT Materials Laboratory (Lab) obtained an apparatus for conducting the Ideal Cracking Test (IDEAL-CT) and has been investigating its use in evaluating asphalt cracking resistance, but has not applied other testing methods for this purpose. To potentially refine its mix designs and improve resistance to cracking and rutting, the Lab needs valid, reliable methods to test and predict performance. Assessment results would inform the Lab in choosing an appropriate cracking test method that would predict the cracking resistance of ADOT mixes. This project will focus on assessing test methods for the cracking resistance, but to achieve a balanced mix design, rutting will still need to be investigated so that mix designs that reduce cracking do not in the end increase rutting.

    Language

    • English

    Project

    • Status: Active
    • Funding: $289,988.36
    • Contract Numbers:

      SPR-776

    • Sponsor Organizations:

      Federal Highway Administration

      1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
      Washington, DC  United States  20590

      Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center

      206 S. 17th Avenue
      ADOT Research Center
      Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007
    • Managing Organizations:

      Arizona Department of Transportation Research Center

      206 S. 17th Avenue
      ADOT Research Center
      Phoenix, AZ  United States  85007
    • Project Managers:

      Stone, William

    • Performing Organizations:

      Texas A&M Transportation Institute

      Texas A&M University System
      3135 TAMU
      College Station, TX  United States  77843-3135
    • Principal Investigators:

      Zhou, Fujie

    • Start Date: 20220718
    • Expected Completion Date: 20250630
    • Actual Completion Date: 0

    Subject/Index Terms

    Filing Info

    • Accession Number: 01762459
    • Record Type: Research project
    • Source Agency: Arizona Department of Transportation
    • Contract Numbers: SPR-776
    • Files: RIP, STATEDOT
    • Created Date: Jan 21 2021 1:13PM