PERFORMANCE SURVEY ON OPEN-GRADED FRICTION COURSE MIXES

Abstract

This synthesis report will be of interest to construction, maintenance, pavement design, and materials engineers, pavement contractors, and others interested in the use of open-graded friction course (OGFC) mixes. It describes the current state-of-the-practice on the use of OGFC mixes. This includes information regarding design, materials, construction, maintenance, and rehabilitation strategies. Alternative treatments to traditional OGFC are also identified and discussed. Information for the synthesis was collected by surveying U.S. and Canadian transportation agencies and by conducting a literature search to gather further information on North American and European practices. This report of the Transportation Research Board describes the recent performance of North American OGFC and European porous asphalt by identifying and discussing benefits and stress indicators. A new generation of OGFC has evolved in the last five years with changes that have been reported to dramatically improve the performance of OGFCs. Changes include a combination of empirical design adjustments, adoption of innovative technologies, and improved methods of construction. The synthesis describes new material and design methods in use, as well as the applicability of the new generation of open-graded mixtures to North American use.