Identification of Enhanced Moisture Susceptibility Testing for Asphalt Pavements
Mitigation of moisture damage in asphalt pavement is critical to long term performance of asphalt pavement sections. When moisture enters small cracks in asphalt it can cause the pavement to strip. Stripping is the loss of the adhesive bond between asphalt cement and aggregate, or the loss of the cohesive resistance within the asphalt cement, usually in the presence of moisture. Stripping can have significant detrimental impacts on the performance and overall useful life of pavements. Within Ohio, multiple pavements have shown stripping problems, particularly in areas where there are marginal aggregate sources and where tree canopies are prevalent. To proactively address this issue, the Ohio Department of Transportation (ODOT) has incorporated testing protocols to examine the moisture susceptibility of asphalt mixes during mix design. ODOT Supplement 1051, Resistance of Compacted Bituminous Concrete to Moisture Induced Damage, is a slightly modified version of the AASHTO T 283 Modified Lottmann test (TSR). Nationally, many asphalt engineers claim that the TSR test is subjective and does not accurately predict the moisture induced damage of asphalt mixes. One of the shortcomings of AASHTO T 283 is that the test does not very well simulate the effects of cyclic water pressure and vacuum forces from truck traffic during saturated pavement conditions. While experts debate the accuracy of tests, some state DOTs have mandated the use of commercially available products referred to as antistripping agents to address this issue. These products are used as an additive to asphalt mixes to prevent or lessen the stripping of asphalt pavements. ODOT has used antistripping agents on a limited number of projects but has not determined if mandating their use is a cost-effective treatment. The goal of this research is to assist ODOT in refining moisture susceptibility testing procedures for asphalt pavements in Ohio. This research will also determine, based primarily on literature, if the inclusion of antistripping agents in certain scenarios (e.g. aggregate geologies or certain mixtures) is more cost effective versus risk of premature pavement failure. Having a moisture susceptibility test that is reliable, accurate and consistent will allow ODOT to better control the quality of asphalt mixtures being purchased and placed. Eliminating moisture susceptible mixtures will result in more predictable pavement performance and increase the longevity of many pavements that currently utilize moisture susceptible mixtures (potentially upwards of 3-4 years longer life). ODOT could experience significant savings from reduced maintenance costs (e.g., fewer need to fill cracks and potholes). Better performing asphalt pavement mixtures leads to less pavement distresses, reduced need for certain maintenance activities, and results in less damage to vehicles due to pavement condition.
Language
- English
Project
- Status: Active
- Funding: $120274
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Contract Numbers:
36805
114244
136339
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Sponsor Organizations:
Federal Highway Administration
1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
Washington, DC United States 20590 -
Managing Organizations:
Ohio Department of Transportation
Research Program
1980 West Broad Street
Columbus, OH United States 43223 -
Project Managers:
Fout, Vicky
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Performing Organizations:
Ohio University, Athens
Athens, OH United States 45701 -
Principal Investigators:
Green, Roger
- Start Date: 20210907
- Expected Completion Date: 20230107
- Actual Completion Date: 0
Subject/Index Terms
- TRT Terms: Asphalt pavements; Mix design; Moisture content; Stripping (Pavements); Test procedures
- Identifier Terms: Ohio Department of Transportation
- Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Maintenance and Preservation; Pavements;
Filing Info
- Accession Number: 01781083
- Record Type: Research project
- Source Agency: Ohio Department of Transportation
- Contract Numbers: 36805, 114244, 136339
- Files: RIP, STATEDOT
- Created Date: Sep 1 2021 11:26AM