Evaluation of Acceptance Approaches for Balanced Mix Design in Asphalt Pavements

The transition from traditional volumetric asphalt mix design to Balanced Mix Design (BMD) offers a significant opportunity to enhance asphalt pavement performance by integrating performance-based testing. While many state Departments of Transportation (DOTs) are in various stages of BMD implementation, there remains significant variability in acceptance approaches. These range from volumetric-only checks to rigorous sublot testing for cracking and rutting parameters, creating inconsistencies in cost, performance reliability, and resource allocation. This project will evaluate different acceptance approaches, quantifying the associated resource requirements (e.g., time, equipment, staff, training), assessing the impact on pavement performance, and developing cost-effective acceptance approach. By addressing inconsistencies in current acceptance approaches, this study will provide actionable recommendations for state agencies, contractors, and researchers. The expected outcomes include improved pavement durability, optimized resource allocation, and enhanced efficiency in Quality Assurance (QA) programs. Findings will contribute to policy recommendations that balance performance verification with resource constraints, ensuring long-term benefits for the state DOTs, the contractor, and the road users. The research will be widely disseminated through industry engagement, stakeholder meetings, and peer-reviewed publications, facilitating the adoption or further implementation of BMD by state DOTs. The objectives of this project directly support NCIT’s focus on improving the durability and extending the life of transportation infrastructure.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Active
• Funding: $219,886.00
• Contract Numbers:

  69A3552344813

  69A3552348318

• 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:

  National Center for Infrastructure Transformation

  Prairie View A&M University
  Prairie View, TX  United States  77446
• Performing Organizations:

  Texas A&M Transportation Institute

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

  Arambula, Edith

• Start Date: 20260201
• Expected Completion Date: 20280131
• Actual Completion Date: 20280131
• USDOT Program: University Transportation Centers
• Source Data: 03-50-TTI

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Pavement performance; Quality assurance; Rutting
• Identifier Terms: Cracking Resistance Index
• Subject Areas: Economics; Maintenance and Preservation; Materials; Policy;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 02001904
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: National Center for Infrastructure Transformation
• Contract Numbers: 69A3552344813, 69A3552348318
• Files: UTC, RIP
• Created Date: Sep 10 2026 8:23AM