Sarfraz Ahmed

Effects of Recycled Asphalt Pavement Amounts on Low-Temperature Cracking Performance of Asphalt Mixtures Using Acoustic Emissions

Significant increases in the cost of asphalt paving and increased awareness of the need for sustainable infrastructure in recent years have in turn increased the use of recycled asphalt pavement (RAP) in the manufacture of hot-mix asphalt (HMA). The use of RAP reduces the overall cost of HMA and provides significant environmental benefits. Experience has shown, however, that the addition of RAP to HMA can have a negative effect on the low-temperature fracture characteristics of the pavement. The purpose of this study was to determine the effects of RAP amounts on the low-temperature cracking performance of asphalt mixtures. Different percentages of RAP material, ranging from 0% to 50%, were studied. The embrittlement temperature of mixtures was determined with the use of an acoustic emissions technique. The disk-shaped compact tension [DC(T)] test was used to determine the fracture energy of asphalt mixtures. DC(T) fracture tests were conducted on two control mixtures with no RAP and mixtures that contained 10%, 20%, 30%, 40%, and 50% RAP. Both control and RAP mixtures were manufactured with PG 64-22 and PG 58-28 as the virgin binders, which brought the total number of mixtures tested to 12. In addition to DC(T) fracture testing, indirect tensile testing was conducted on HMA specimens that contained 20% and 40% RAP. Test results clearly indicated the effects of the presence of RAP materials on the low-temperature performance of mixtures. This study demonstrates the benefit of performing fracture tests before RAP is added to the asphalt mixture, and it demonstrates the use of an acoustic emissions-based testing procedure to screen mixtures susceptible to cracking at low temperatures.

Development of fracture-energy based interface bond test for asphalt concrete

The behavior of the interface between adjacent pavement layers is one of the most important factors affecting pavement performance. Despite the importance of interface behavior between different pavement layers, there are few guidelines that can be used for construction, and the selection of tack coat type, application rate, and placement is usually based on empirical judgment. This paper presents a new fracture-energy based Interface Bond Test (IBT), which can be a practical method to evaluate the bond between pavement layers. The results of laboratory and field studies demonstrate the ability of the test to distinguish between samples produced with different tack coat application rates and modified versus unmodified tack coat material. Results from the IBT test were also compared with direct tension tests, and similar trends were found to exist.

Empirical Correlation of Permanent Deformation Tests for Evaluating the Rutting Response of Conventional Asphaltic Concrete Mixtures

Rutting or permanent deformation is one of the severe distresses manifested in flexible pavements caused by the various mechanisms such as densification, lateral plastic flow, and/or loss of materials under wheel path due to repeated heavy traffic loads. Various laboratory tests have been devised to determine the rutting propensity and to optimize the field performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) mixtures as a part of the HMA mix and structural design processes. Although various approaches exist to predict the permanent deformation of HMA, this study develops a relationship of flow number (FN), dynamic modulus (DM), and uniaxial repeated-load permanent deformation (RLPD) to enable the trade-off analysis among them. Also, a novel parameter, FN index, is explored and used to determine the rutting potential of HMA mixtures. Twelve globally practiced HMA mixtures are investigated with three different performance grade binders and single limestone aggregate source. Superpave gyratory compacted specimens are subjected to performance testing (FN, DM, and RLPD) and results indicate a strong correlation of FN index with DM and exhibit better correspondence than the traditional FN (cycles) parameter.

Characterization of Various Plant-Produced Asphalt Concrete Mixtures Using Dynamic Modulus Test

This research characterizes the performance of various plant-produced asphalt concrete mixtures by dynamic modulus E∗ test using asphalt mixture performance tester (AMPT). Marshall designed specimens of seven different mixtures were prepared using the Superpave gyratory compactor and subjected to sinusoidal compressive loading at various temperatures (4.4 to 54.4°C) and loading frequencies (0.1 to 25 Hz). A catalog of default dynamic modulus values for typical asphalt concrete mixtures of Pakistan was established by developing stress-dependent master curves separately, for wearing and base course mixtures. The sensitivity of temperature and loading frequency on determination of dynamic modulus value was observed by typical isothermal and isochronal curves, respectively. Also, the effects of various variables on dynamic modulus were investigated using statistical technique of two-level factorial design of experiment. Furthermore, two dynamic modulus prediction models, namely, Witczak and Hirsch, were evaluated for their regional applicability. Results indicated that both the Witczak and Hirsch models mostly underpredict the value of dynamic modulus for the selected conditions/mixtures. The findings of this study are envisaged to facilitate the implementation of relatively new performance based mechanistic-empirical structural design and analysis approach.

Cracking resistance of thin-bonded overlays using fracture test, numerical simulations and early field performance

Thin-bonded bituminous overlays are becoming an increasingly popular pavement maintenance treatment, which can be used to restore smoothness, seal and renew the pavement surface and increase skid resistance. Thin-bonded overlays (TBOs) are constructed using a specialised type of paving equipment called a ‘spray paver’. A spray paver combines the operation of applying a tack coat and laying down asphalt concrete in a single pass. This allows for the application of a high rate of polymer-modified asphalt emulsion tack coat. Due to reduced thickness, cracking distress is more of a concern in this type of system. This paper describes a new approach for the evaluation of the cracking performance of TBO systems through fracture mechanics-based testing of laboratory and field specimens. Computer simulations and early field performance data are also used in the evaluation. This study is conducted in the context of three field projects which encompass seven different pavement test sections. The test sections allowed a number of variables to be studied, including type and application rate of tack coat emulsion and type of hot-mix asphalt gradation structure (gap graded vs. dense graded). Comparisons are also made between overlays constructed using spray paver and conventional paving process. All seven sections were computationally simulated to evaluate their performance in the context of thermal and reflective cracking potential. Fairly good agreement is observed between laboratory tests, computer simulations and field performance data. The results indicate that good thermal and reflective cracking resistance are expected from TBOs. Furthermore, it was observed that the cracking performance of TBOs depends on the type of gradation for the overlay mixture and the tack coat emulsion type and its application rate.

Laboratory and Computational Evaluation of Compact Tension Fracture Test and Texas Overlay Tester for Asphalt Concrete

Reflective cracking is the primary mode of failure for pavements rehabilitated with asphalt overlays in many instances. The Texas Overlay Tester (OLT) has been utilized by several researchers and practitioners to evaluate the reflective cracking resistance of asphalt overlays. The OLT is a simulative test procedure that emulates the portion of asphalt overlay located directly on top of the crack or discontinuity in the underlying pavement. The testing involves cyclic horizontal displacement of the underlying layer to initiate and propagate the crack. The number of cycles required to form the crack through asphalt overlay is typically utilized as a performance parameter indicative of cracking resistance of the asphalt mixture. This paper describes a comprehensive analysis of the OLT through comparative laboratory fracture testing and computational modelling. The compact tension (CT) test geometry has been recently adapted to characterize the fracture properties of asphalt concrete, and can be used to extract useful mode I (tensile) local fracture properties such as material strength and fracture energy.