Hot-Mix Asphalt Segregation: Measurement and Effects

Abstract

Segregation of hot-mix asphalt (HMA) has been associated with poor pavement performance. As a result, a nondestructive test method that could quickly identify segregation and be easily included in field testing would be useful to agencies. A study was conducted of four HMA mixtures with five levels of segregation. All levels of segregation for each mix were characterized by gradation, asphalt content, density, and air voids. The segregated mixes were tested with an air permeameter and a nuclear moisture/density gauge. In addition, thermal imaging equipment was field-tested on an existing pavement, at a hot-mix asphalt plant, and at a paving project to determine its overall effectiveness in detecting segregation. Preliminary wheel-tracking tests with the PURWheel tracking device were used to evaluate segregated mixture performance.

Get full access to this article

View all access options for this article.

References

Standard Specifications for Highway Construction. State of Indiana Department of Transportation, Indianapolis, 1993.

Mix Design Methods for Asphalt Concrete and Other Hot Mix Types, MS-2. Asphalt Institute, Lexington, Ky., 1988.

Khedaywi

, and White

T. D.

. Development and Analysis of Laboratory Techniques for Simulating Segregation. In Transportation Research Record 1492, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1995, pp. 36–45.

Zube

Compaction Studies of Asphalt Concrete Pavement as Related to the Water Permeability Test. Bulletin 358, HRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1962, pp. 12–31.

Brown

E. R.

, Collins

, and Brownfield

J. R.

. Investigation of Segregation of Asphalt Mixtures in State of Georgia. In Transportation Research Record 1217, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1989, pp. 1–8.

1994 Annual Book of ASTM Standards. American Society for Testing and Materials, Philadelphia, Pa., 1994.

Cross

S. A.

, and Brown

E. R.

. Effect of Segregation on Performance of Hot-Mix Asphalt. In Transportation Research Record 1417, TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1993, pp. 117–126.

Habermann

J. A.

Design Features and a Preliminary Study of the Purdue Linear Compactor and PURWheel Tracking Device. Master's thesis. Purdue University, West Lafayette, Ind., 1994.

Roberts

F. L.

, Kandhal

P. S.

, Brown

E. R.

, Lee

, and Kennedy

T. W.

. Hot Mix Asphalt Materials, Mixture Design and Construction. National Asphalt Pavement Association, Lanham, Md., 1991.