The objective of this research study was to evaluate several mathematical models to be used in calculating the onset of tertiary flow [referred to as the flow number (FN) parameter] for asphalt mixtures. The FN indicates the onset of shear deformation in asphalt mixtures, which is a significant parameter in evaluating rutting in the field. The FN is obtained from the repeated load permanent deformation (RLPD) laboratory test. Current modeling techniques in determining the FN use a polynomial model fitting approach, which works well for most conventional asphalt mixtures. However, analysis and observations on the use of this polynomial model for rubber-modified asphalt mixtures showed problems in identifying the true FN values. The scope of the work included the collection and analysis of more than 300 RLPD test data files, which comprised more than 40 mixtures, a wide range of test temperatures, and several stress levels. A new comprehensive mathematical model was recommended to accurately determine the FN. The results and analysis were evaluated through manual calculations and found to be accurate, rational, and applicable to all mixture types, whether a tertiary stage was reached or not.
Get full access to this article
View all access options for this article.
References
1.
WitczakM. W., KaloushK., PellinenT., El-BasyounyM., and Von QuintusH.NCHRP Report 465: Simple Performance Test for Superpave Mix Design.TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 2002.
2.
WitczakM.NCHRP Report 547: Simple Performance Tests: Summary of Recommended Methods and Database.Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2005.
3.
Guide for Mechanistic–Empirical Design of New and Rehabilitated Pavement Structures. NCHRP 1–37A Final Report. Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2004.
4.
BonaquistR. F., ChristensenD. W., and StumpW.IIINCHRP Report 513: Simple Performance Tester for Superpave Mix Design: First-Article Development and Evaluation.Transportation Research Board of the National Academies, Washington, D.C., 2003.
5.
BiligiriK. P.Improved Method to Determine Tertiary Flow Value for Asphalt Mixtures. MS thesis. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2005.
6.
KaloushK. E., WitczakM. W., WayG. B., ZborowskiA., AbojaradehM., and SotilA.Performance Evaluation of Arizona Asphalt Rubber Mixtures Using Advanced Dynamic Material Characterization Tests. Final Report. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2002.
7.
KaloushK. E.Simple Performance Test for Permanent Deformation of Asphalt Mixtures. PhD diss. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2001.
8.
BrownS. F., and CooperK. E.The Mechanical Properties of Bituminous Materials for Road Bases and Base Courses. Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, Vol. 53, 1984, pp. 415–439.
9.
KenisW. J.Predictive Design Procedures. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on the Structural Design of Asphalt Pavements, Vol. 1. University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, Aug. 1977, pp. 101–130.
10.
MirzaM. W., and WitczakM. W.Bituminous Mix Dynamic Material Characterization Data Acquisition and Analysis Programs Using 458.20 MTS Controller. Program Background and Users Guide.University of Maryland, College Park, 1994.
11.
WitczakM. W., and KaloushK. E.Performance Evaluation of CitgoFlex Asphalt Modified Mixture Using Advanced Material Characterization Tests.Department of Civil Engineering, University of Maryland, College Park, 1998.
12.
WitczakM. W., and KaloushK. E.AC Mixture Response Comparison to Performance Repeated Normal Permanent Deformation Tests, Task C–Simple Performance Test, MnRoad Experimental Site. Team Report SPT-MN-2(H). Superpave Support and Performance Models Management NCHRP 9–19. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 1999.
13.
WitczakM. W., SullivanB., and ZborowskiA.Sensitivity of Simple Performance Test (Rapid vs. Geotechnical Triaxial Cell), Field Validation of the Simple Performance Test (Subtasks C4 through C6) Subtask C4d Report, Superpave Support and Performance Models Management, NCHRP 9–19. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2001.
14.
MyersL. A., GudimetlaJ., PaughC., D'AngeloJ., GokhaleS., and ChoubaneB.Evaluation of Performance Data from Repeated Load Test.Canadian Technical Asphalt Association, Victoria, British Columbia, 2005.
15.
MonismithC. L., HicksR. G., FinnF. N., SousaJ., HarveyJ., WeissmanS., DeaconJ., CoplantzJ., and PaulsenG.Permanent Deformation Response of Asphalt Aggregate Mixes. SHRP-A-415. TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1994.
16.
BrownS. F., and BellC. A.The Prediction of Permanent Deformation in Asphalt Pavements. Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologies, Vol. 48, 1979, pp. 438–476.
17.
Permanent Deformation Response of Asphalt Aggregate Mixes. SHRP-A-415. TRB, National Research Council, Washington, D.C., 1994.
18.
HuschekS.The Deformation Behavior of Asphalt Concrete under Triaxial Compression. Journal of the Association of Asphalt Paving Technologists, Vol. 54, 1985, pp. 407–431.
19.
TsengK. H., and LyttonR. L.Prediction of Permanent Deformation in Flexible Pavement Materials. In Implication of Aggregate in Design, Construction and Performance of Flexible Pavements, ASTM STP 1016 (SchreudersH. G., and MarekC. R., eds.), ASTM, Philadelphia, 1989, pp. 154–172.
20.
KhedrS. A.Deformation Mechanism in Asphaltic Concrete. Journal of Transportation Engineering, ASCE, Vol. 112, No. 1, 1986, pp. 29–45.
21.
WilshireR., and EvansR.Acquisition and Analysis of Creep Data. Journal of Strain Analysis for Engineering Design, Vol. 29, No. 3, 1994, pp. 159–165.
22.
ZhouF., ScullionT., and SunL.Verification and Modeling of Three Stage Permanent Deformation Behavior of Asphalt Mixes. Journal of Transportation Engineering, Vol. 130, No. 4, 2004, pp. 486–494.
23.
FranckenL.Pavement Deformation Law of Bituminous Road Mixes in Repeated Load Triaxial Compression. Proc., 4th International Conference on the Structural Design of Asphalt Pavements, Vol. 1, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, 1977, pp. 483–496.
24.
SullivanB.Development of Flow Number and Flow Time Candidate Simple Performance Test for Asphalt Mixtures. MS thesis. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2002.
25.
Materials and Mix Properties, Construction Information and Performance Data Report, Subtasks C4 through C6, Field Validation of the Simple Performance Test (Experimental Plan for Calibration and Validation of Hot-Mix Asphalt Performance Models for Mix and Structure Design), Superpave Support and Performance Models Management NCHRP 9–19, Parts 1–7.Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2003.
26.
QuayumM. M.Investigations for Using the Repeated Load Permanent Deformation Test in a Design Criteria for Asphalt Mixtures. MS thesis. Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, 2004.
