LADOTD Balanced Mixture Design Samuel Cooper III, Ph.D., P.E. Southeastern Asphalt User Producer Group November 6 9, 25 Williamsburg, Va. Acknowledgements LTRC Asphalt Research Group Jeremy Icenogle, Patrick Frazier, Willie Gueho, Md. Kabir, Bill King EMCRF Dr. Louay Mohammad, Dr. Minkyum Kim Introduction LADOTD s conventional design practice: Gradation AC Content VFA, VMA, % Air Voids Moisture Susceptibility Test (Modified Lottman), and Roadway : Density, Smoothness Increases in recycled material content Methods to evaluate mixture performance indicators Determine Asphalt Quality vs Quantity How? New laboratory tests to evaluate the as built pavement qualities. The test will screen materials prone to rutting, cracking and alternative moisture damage indicators. Create a Balanced Mixture Design How? How? Resistance What is a balanced mixture design? Process to ensure adequate resistance to both rutting and cracking distresses Laboratory testing: and.6.4.2.8.6.4.2 5 5 2 Resistance Mechanistic Tests Pavement Intermediate Fatigue endurance Permanent deformation Features Fundamental Easy to Use Reliable Cost
Major Issue LTRC Research Project 3b Current LADOTD volumetric specifications created stiff mixtures very strong vs rutting failure. Concerns that the mixtures are too dry and too stiff. Early cracking and durability Two research projects to create new specification parameters LTRC Project 3b LTRC Project 4b To implement the Loaded Wheel Tracking (LWT) test as a measure of mixture rutting resistance. To evaluate Semi Circular Bend (SCB) test for intermediate temperature cracking resistance. Resistance: LWT Test Resistance: LWT Test Indicator Resistance to and Moisture Sensitivity Test Protocol AASHTO T324 5 C Loading Wheel Diameter: 23.5 mm (8 inch) Wheel Width: 47mm (.85 inch) Fixed Load: 73 N (58 lbs) Rolling Speed:. km/hr Passing Rate: 52 passes/min Indicators Resistance to and Moisture Sensitivity Indicator: Plot Rut Depth vs Number of Passes Report Rut Depth at, 5, 75,, 5, and 2 Passes Moisture Sensitivity Indicator Determine Stripping Inflection Point The point where slope of the line begins to steepen Test? Several options available! Bending Beam Fatigue, SVECD, Overlay Tester, Intermediate SCB, Energy Ratio, Fracture Energy (ITS) Which one is best? Each has advantages and disadvantages LADOTD selected Intermediate SCB LADOTD TR 33 Why SCB? Gyratory and field core Simplicity of testing equipment can be adapted to plant lab History of forensic success and field correlation Fundamental fracture mechanics principles Test procedure Repeatable Reporting COV of fracture energy less than 5% 2
Intermediate : SCB Test Standard Method of Test for Evaluation of Asphalt Mixture Crack Propagation using the Semi-Circular Bend Test (SCB) AASHTO Designation X XXX-XX. SCOPE.. This test method covers procedures for the preparation, testing, and measurement of fracture failure of semi-circular asphalt mixtures of specimens loaded monotonically. SCB Sample Preparation Indicator Resistance to Crack Propagation Test Protocol TR 33 25 C Loading.5 mm/min vertical deformation The Critical Value of Fracture Resistance, du J c ( ) b da b = sample thickness, a = notch depth, U = strain energy to failure.2. This standard may involve hazardous material, operations, and equipment. This standard does not purport to address all safety problems associated with its use. It is the responsibility of the user of this procedure to establish appropriate safety and health practices and to determine the applicability of regulatory limitations prior to use. 2. REFERENCED DOCUMENTS 2.. AASHTO STANDARDS PP 2, Practice for Mixture conditioning of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) T 67, Standard Practices for Load Verification of Testing Machines T 66, Bulk Specific Gravity of Compacted Hot Mix Asphalt Using Saturated Surface-Dry Specimens T 68, Sampling Bituminous Paving Mixtures T 29, Theoretical Maximum Specific Gravity and Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) T 269, Percent Air Voids in Compacted Dense and Open Bituminous Paving Mixtures T 32, Preparing and Determining the Density of Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) Specimens by Means of the Superpave Gyratory Compactor 5mm x 57mm Conventional SCB Test Modified SCB Test Servo Hydraulic Test System Environmental Chamber Expensive Complicated Deformation Load Deformation Force (Kn).7.6.5.4.3.2 Original Data Max of Data set Fitted Curve Peak of Curve. Load.5.5 2 2.5 3 Length(mm) J c ( ) b du da Modified SCB Test LADOTD Specification Changes J c ( ) b du da Force (Kn).7.6.5.4.3.2. * is controlled using an external environmental chamber.5.5 2 2.5 3 Length(mm) Original Data Max of Data set Fitted Curve Peak of Curve Lowered Gyrations (Level and Level 2) L: 65 Gyrations N d L2: 75 Gyrations N d VTM Remains 3.5% Raised design VFA 72% Raised VMA.5% Increase for each NMAS 3
23 Pilot Project Descriptions Analysis: Loaded Wheel Tester Route LA 3235 (H.949) LA 93 (H.26) LA 3 (H.89) LA 59 (H.95) US 8 (H.9536) LA 6 (H.243) DOTD Dist. 2 3 7 Description 2 Lvl BC.5 Lvl F WC 3 Lvl BC 2 Lvl WC 2 Lvl BC 2 Lvl WC 4 2 Lvl WC 5 62 2.5 Lvl BC 2 Lvl WC 2 Lvl 2 BC.5 Lvl 2 FWC Rut Depth @ 2, Passes, mm 2 8 6 4 2 8 6 4 2 PG 64 22 PG 7 22M PG 76 22M PG 82 22CRM PG 64 22 Criteria Modified Binder Criteria 5 5 2 25 3 35 4 45 5 55 Mixture Number Analysis: Semi Circular Bend Analysis: Balanced Design.2 PG 64 22 PG 7 22M PG 76 22M PG 82 22CRM.2 PG 64 22 PG 7 22 PG 76 22 PG 82 22. Modified Binder Criteria J c, kj/m 2.8.6.4 Jc, KJ/m 2.8.6 PG 64 22 Criteria.2.4. 5 5 2 25 3 35 4 45 5 55 Mixture Number.2 5 5 2 LWT Rut Depth, mm LTRC Research Project 4b Development of performance based specification criteria. Field Validation: LTRC Project 4B Laboratory and Field evaluation of projects Projects in service for 3 years. Does SCB parameter translate to field performance? 5.. LADOTD PMS Index 95. 9. 85. 8. 75. 7. 65. Y = (.969+.36X) -7 ) r 2 :.73 6..3.4.5.6.7.8.9. Laboratory Measured J c, kj/mm 2 4
Field Validation: LTRC Project 4B Field Validation: LTRC Project 4B 5.. 95. Traffic PMS Trigger LADOTD PMS Index 9. 85. 8. 75. Low Traffic PMS Trigger Y = (.969+.36X) -7 ) r 2 :.73 7. 65. 6..3.4.5.6.7.8.9. Laboratory Measured J c, kj/mm 2 LWT, Rut Depth, 5 C, Wet SCB, min, J c, kj/m 2 @ 25⁰ C, Aged Level : mm @ 2, passes maximum, Level 2 : 6mm @ 2, passes maximum. Level : Jc =.5 minimum, Level 2 : Jc =.6 minimum. LADOTD Specification Changes LADOTD Experience LWT required for all mixtures L: mm @2K passes (maximum) L2: 6mm @ 2K passes (maximum) SCB required for all mixtures L: PG 7 22m,.5 kj/m 2 (minimum) L2: PG 76 22m,.6 kj/m 2 (minimum) Allow for 5% increase in RAP if fractionated split on the. (still must meet LWT and SCB for design) Developed a system to conduct mechanical property test to determine the anticipated performance of asphalt mixtures LWT and SCB were the most feasible for implementation by state and contractor. Incorporate tests into state specification compliance evaluation. Develop a plant lab SCB test protocal. Utilize Marshall Load Frames. Contractors in the state have adopted the methodology and are currently evaluating mixtures with success. Reporting low variability of fracture energy <5% Specimen fabrication is a complication Long Term aging protocol 5 day @ 85 C is a concern. What s Next? New round of pilot project to further evaluate plant produced mixture and field cores Continue collecting a database of mixture LWT and J c results and compare to field performance. 5
Thank You! 6