Relating Asphalt Binder Fatigue Properties to Asphalt Mixture Fatigue Performance

Many pavement engineers and researchers believe that the current Superpave asphalt binder specifications do not adequately predict the contribution of binder properties to asphalt mixture fatigue performance. However, at present there is not a clear alternative method to measure the fatigue performance of asphalt binders and their contribution to mixture fatigue performance. It is widely accepted that the primary factor affecting the fatigue performance of asphalt pavements is structural design: the thickness of the various layers composing the pavement system. However, other factors, including the binder content, binder aging, and the chemical and physical characteristics of the asphalt binders used in the asphalt pavement layers, can significantly affect fatigue performance. If the properties that influence binder fatigue can be identified, characterized, and specified effectively, it may be possible to specify a binder that can improve the fatigue properties of the mixture. A more effective binder specification requires one or more specification tests that do in fact relate to fatigue performance. Research is needed to develop such measures of binder fatigue properties that are indicators of asphalt mixture performance. The objectives of this research were to: (1). Determine asphalt binder properties that are significant indicators of the fatigue performance of asphalt mixtures. (2). Identify or develop a practical, implementable binder test (or tests) to measure properties that are significant indicators of mixture fatigue performance for use in a performance-related binder purchase specification such as AASHTO M 320 and M 332. (3). Propose necessary changes to existing AASHTO specifications to incorporate the identified binder properties and their specification limits. (4). Validate the binder fatigue properties, test(s), and changes to existing and/or proposed AASHTO test methods and specifications with data from field projects, accelerated loading facilities, or both, supplemented, as necessary, with data from additional laboratory-prepared specimens.

• Record URL:
  http://apps.trb.org/cmsfeed/TRBNetProjectDisplay.asp?ProjectID=3862
• Supplemental Notes:
  • Published as NCHRP Research Report 982: Relationships Between the Fatigue Properties of Asphalt Binders and the Fatigue Performance of Asphalt Mixtures.

Language

• English

Project

• Status: Completed
• Funding: $1000000
• Contract Numbers:

  Project 09-59

• Sponsor Organizations:

  Federal Highway Administration

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

  American Association of State Highway & Transportation Officials (AASHTO)

  444 North Capitol Street, NW, Suite 225
  Washington, DC  United States  20001

  National Cooperative Highway Research Program

  Transportation Research Board
  500 Fifth Street, NW
  Washington, DC  United States  20001
• Project Managers:

  Harrigan, Edward

• Performing Organizations:

  Advanced Asphalt Technologies, LLC

  108 Powers Court, Suite 100
  Sterling, VA  United States  20166-9321
• Principal Investigators:

  Christensen, Donald

• Start Date: 20150420
• Expected Completion Date: 20190630
• Actual Completion Date: 0
• Source Data: RiP Project 37557

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Asphalt mixtures; Binder content; Bituminous binders; Fatigue (Mechanics); Pavement layers; Pavement performance; Specifications; Superpave; Test procedures; Thickness; Validation
• Subject Areas: Highways; Materials; Pavements;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 01543422
• Record Type: Research project
• Source Agency: Transportation Research Board
• Contract Numbers: Project 09-59
• Files: TRB, RIP
• Created Date: Nov 14 2014 1:01AM