Silo Storage - Impact on Asphalt Mixture Performance

There is growing interest in using performance-related testing within a balanced mix design (BMD) approach. BMD tests are highly sensitive to aging, making appropriate short-term laboratory aging protocols critical. While the use of silo storage is common during production and may significantly affect mixture aging and performance, prior research has not adequately addressed its effects within the context of BMD. Extended silo storage—varying in duration, temperature, and silo type—can lead to changes such as binder aging, blending variability, and binder drain down. These changes can cause a balanced mix to become unbalanced, reducing consistency and reliability. As agencies move toward performance-based specifications, it is essential to understand how silo storage affects mix properties to ensure production practices do not compromise performance. The objective of this research is to investigate the impact of silo storage on asphalt mixture properties and consistency using a BMD approach, reassess current short-term aging protocols, and propose practical silo-storage guidelines to protect mix integrity before construction.

• Record URL:
  • http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=5852
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Contract to a Performing Organization has not yet been awarded.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Proposed
• Funding: $650,000.00
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 09-77

• Sponsor Organizations:

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  Federal Highway Administration

  1200 New Jersey Avenue, SE
  Washington, DC  United States  20590
• Project Managers:

  Khosravifar, Sadaf

• Start Date: 20250526
• Expected Completion Date: 0
• Actual Completion Date: 0

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Aging (Materials); Asphalt mixtures; Mix design; Reliability; Silos
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01956603
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 09-77
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: May 28 2025 1:31PM