Publication | Closed Access
AGGREGATE TESTS RELATED TO ASPHALT CONCRETE PERFORMANCE IN PAVEMENTS
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1998
Year
Geotechnical EngineeringHighway PavementEngineeringCement-based Construction MaterialTest MethodsCivil EngineeringConcrete TechnologyReinforced ConcreteGeomechanicsFine AggregateAggregate Particle ShapeFine AggregatesConstruction EngineeringBitumenAsphaltAsphalt Binder
Aggregate properties such as shape, texture, and durability critically influence hot‑mix asphalt performance, yet existing test methods were developed empirically and may not correlate with pavement behavior. This study aims to recommend aggregate tests that are directly related to hot‑mix asphalt performance in pavements. The authors evaluated current and new tests—including shape, angularity, surface texture, plastic fines, toughness, abrasion, durability, soundness, and P200 characteristics—using laboratory measurements of permanent deformation, fatigue cracking, and stripping with superpave shear, Georgia wheel, and Hamburg wheel devices. Nine aggregate tests were recommended, including new measures such as uncompacted void content of coarse aggregate, methylene blue tests of fine aggregate and P200 material, particle‑size analysis of P200, and the Micro‑Deval test.
The properties of coarse and fine aggregates used in hot mix asphalt (HMA) are very important to the performance of HMA in pavements. Many of the current aggregate test methods were developed to empirically characterize aggregates and, therefore, may not be related to the performance of HMA. This research was undertaken to recommend a set of aggregate tests which are related to performance of HMA in pavement. The following aggregate properties were considered: (a) aggregate particle shape, angularity, and surface texture; (b) plastic fines in the fine aggregate: (c) toughness and abrasion resistance; (d) durability and soundness; and (e) characteristics of the material passing the 75 micrometer (No. 200) sieve (P200). Both current and new aggregate tests were identified and evaluated in the laboratory in terms of their relationship to three HMA performance parameters: (a) permanent deformation, (b) fatigue cracking, and (c) raveling, popouts and/or potholes. HMA performance parameters were measured by laboratory tests such as superpave shear tester (permanent deformation and fatigue cracking), Georgia loaded wheel tester (permanent deformation), and Hamburg wheel tracking device (stripping). A set of nine aggregate tests, related to HMA performance in pavements, are recommended. New tests include uncompacted void content of coarse aggregate, methylene blue test of fine aggregate and P200 material, particle size analysis of P200 material, and Micro-Deval test.