Performance-Based Design of Permeable Friction Courses Using Warm Mix Asphalt for Enhanced Safety and Durability

Permeable friction courses (PFC) offer several performance and environmental benefits. The open-graded structure of PFC provides a path for water to permeate through the pavement hence reducing the risk of flooding, splash and spray, and hydroplaning. The open-graded friction course also results in improved pavement friction, especially during wet weather conditions. It was also reported that the air void structure in the PFC results in noise reduction and lessens the effect of the urban heat island phenomenon. PFC was selected by the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) as part of the Every Day Counts (EDC) initiative. The EDC program promotes proven technologies which are being underutilized. PFC can exhibit failure due to raveling, moisture damage, cracking, and rutting. Many state agencies including Oklahoma have strict requirements on material selection and aggregate gradation of PFC mixes, however, there is not much focus on performance measures, permeability, and durability. The effect of mix type and composition on the friction has also not been fully investigated. Some states have reported using Warm Mix Additives (WMA) to improve raveling resistance. Other studies were conducted in Louisiana and Michigan using WMA with PFC and it was shown that using WMA can improve the raveling and rutting resistance. The objective of this study is to explore the use of different performance-related testing to characterize the performance and permeability of PFC mixes using fibers and WMA as stabilizing agents, and to assess the impact of mix type and composition on the friction characteristics of the pavement surface. Based on the findings of this study, recommendations will be given regarding using WMA as a stabilizing agent for PFC mixes. The recommendations would also include suggested changes to current specifications. These changes could include relaxing existing criteria related to volumetrics and using performance-related testing during mix design. The following tasks will be performed to achieve the objectives of this project. Task 1: Conduct an overview of the performance-related tests that are used by different state departments of transportation (DOTs) to characterize PFC mixes and select tests to include in this project. Task 2: Identify different aggregate types and sources with different properties, and different stabilizing agents, to include in the design of the PFC mixes. Task 3: Prepare different mixes using different aggregate sources with the addition of cellulose fibers, according to the Oklahoma Department of Transportation (ODOT) specifications. Task 4: Conduct testing on the control mixes to evaluate raveling, moisture resistance, cracking, rutting, and friction. Task 5: Optimize the design of the control mixes using other additives, such as WMA and evaluate the impact on performance. Task 6: Provide recommendations on the use of WMA as a stabilizing agent for PFC mixes and suggest changes to current specifications.

• Record URL:
  • https://www.sptc.org/cy2-osu-06

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $60,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  CY2-OSU-06

  69A3552348306

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Office of the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology

  University Transportation Centers Program
  Department of Transportation
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Managing Organizations:

  Southern Plains Transportation Center

  University of Oklahoma
  202 W Boyd St, Room 213A
  Norman, OK  United States  73019
• Project Managers:

  Dunn, Denise

• Performing Organizations:

  Oklahoma State University, Stillwater

  School of Civil & Environmental Engineering
  Stillwater, OK  United States  74078
• Principal Investigators:

  Elkashef, Mohamed

• Start Date: 20241001
• Expected Completion Date: 20250930
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Cracking; Durability; Friction course; Mix design; Pavement performance; Performance based specifications; Permeability; Rutting; Warm mix paving mixtures
• Geographic Terms: Oklahoma
• Subject Areas: Design; Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01941674
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Southern Plains Transportation Center
• Contract Numbers: CY2-OSU-06, 69A3552348306
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Jan 1 2025 1:45PM