Implementation of Quality Management of Hot-Mix Asphalt with Seismic Methods

Abstract

Existing practices for field quality management of hot-mix asphalt layers rely on the adequacy of parameters such as thickness, air voids, and density. Because mechanistic–empirical pavement design is primarily based on the modulus of the pavement layers, methods of measuring the asphalt modulus in the field shortly after construction may lead to the more reliable implementation of the design. Seismic methods of modulus-based quality management may be more beneficial than traditional techniques because they are nondestructive, they can be performed rapidly, results are obtained immediately, and the material is tested in its natural state. The approach presented here includes a six-step procedure that combines design, laboratory, and field quality management processes. To evaluate the proposed method, 10 new construction sites were investigated to corroborate its usefulness and convenience. On the basis of the information collected, transportation organizations can implement the method along with their traditional methods to develop quality control and acceptance criteria. Performance of the simplified seismic laboratory and field tests along with more traditional tests may result in a database that can be used to smoothly unify the design procedures with pavement evaluation.