Shane Underwood

Ageing and rejuvenators: evaluating their impact on high RAP mixtures fatigue cracking characteristics using advanced mechanistic models and testing methods

Fatigue cracking of asphalt mixtures is highly dependent on ageing. Using larger amounts of reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) presents a concern that the resultant mixtures may be prone to fatigue cracking because of the aged binder in the RAP. Several studies have indicated that asphalt rejuvenators can allow more aged binder to be incorporated into asphalt mixtures. The four-point flexural beam fatigue test, HMA (hot-mix asphalt) fracture mechanics model, simplified viscoelastic continuum damage model, and the semi-circular bending test were used to evaluate the effect of ageing on the fatigue characteristics of high RAP mixtures modified with rejuvenators. The results from these tests were compared to see if they provided similar performance trends. The results indicated that the long-term ageing used in this study did not have a significant effect on the fatigue characteristics of the high RAP mixture with and without rejuvenators. Comparison of the fatigue tests did not show universal agreement.

Mechanistic-empirical methodology for the selection of cost-effective rehabilitation strategy for flexible pavements

Abstract A well-planned rehabilitation approach helps agencies to optimise the allocation of annual investment in pavement rehabilitation programs. Currently, many agencies are struggling with the selection of an optimal time-based and cost-effective rehabilitation solution to address the long-term needs of pavements. This study offers the use of a mechanistic-empirical methodology to develop a series of time-based rehabilitation strategies for high traffic volume flexible pavements located in Oklahoma. Six different pavement family groups are identified in the state, and comprehensive evaluation of existing pavements are conducted through analysis of falling weight deflectometer data and performance measures available in Oklahoma Pavement Management System database. The inadequacy of performance measures to fully characterise the condition of existing pavements are indicated, and damage factor determined from FWD data are suggested as trigger factor to select rehabilitation candidates. Three levels of rehabilitation activities including light, medium and heavy are considered as potential alternatives for rehabilitation candidates. A mechanistic-empirical methodology is employed to obtain an estimate of the performance of rehabilitation and extension in service lives of pavements. Also, an assessment output matrix is developed, which can be served as a supplemental tool to help the decision-makers in the highway agency with the rehabilitation related decision-making process. Cost-effectiveness of rehabilitation alternatives is determined through life cycle cost analysis, and three time-based renewal solutions are developed for pavement family groups that are in need of rehabilitation.

Correlating field performance to laboratory dynamic modulus from indirect tension and torsion bar

Dynamic modulus has several useful functions in flexible pavements, including stress/strain characterisation, rutting and cracking characterisation, an input into several analytical and numerical models, and a primary input into Pavement ME Design. While the traditional dynamic modulus test is run in the uniaxial configuration, this is not possible for field cores. Therefore, the indirect tension dynamic modulus (IDT |E*|) and torsion bar shear modulus (torsion bar |G*|) have been developed. However, there has been limited research looking at analysing the data from field cores for these two geometries, comparing modulus data from the two geometries, examining in-service ageing of dynamic modulus, and quantifying pavement conditions using dynamic modulus. This research examines 10 field sections in Arkansas, comprising of 4 “good” performing sections, 2 “medium” performing sections, and 4 “poor” performing sections in an attempt to address these four questions. First, this research found that using AASHTO T342 and AASHTO R62 can lead to irrational coefficients but provide rational results. Second, while the IDT |E*| and torsion bar |G*| values were similar at high modulus values, the IDT |E*| values began to increase as the modulus decreased compared to the torsion bar |G*| values, increasing to over a decade of difference. Third, a noticeable difference was observed between the modulus values of the bottom surface layer and top surface layer, with the bottom surface layer showing higher modulus values in all cases. While the upper surface layer showed higher oxidation, other weathering effects such as moisture and traffic appear to have overwhelmed the oxidation effect and pavement deterioration has reduced the integrity of the mix. Finally, both the IDT |E*| and torsion bar |G*| were not able to quantify a noticeable difference between poor and medium performing sections, and medium and good performing sections, but were able to quantify a difference between the poor and good behaving sections. Overall, the IDT |E*| and torsion bar |G*| tests were able to produce consistent master curves, correlate to each other, identify differences between surface course lifts, and quantify differences in field performance.

Evaluation of in situ RAP binder interaction in asphalt mastics using micromechanical models

Abstract In this article the mastic level structure of asphalt concrete containing reclaimed asphalt pavement (RAP) materials is investigated using the principles of micromechanics. Locally sourced RAP material was screened and sieved to separate the coated fines (smaller than 0.075 mm) from the remaining sizes. These binder coated fines were mixed with virgin filler at proportions commensurate with 0, 10, 30, 50 and 100% RAP dosage levels. Asphalt mastics were prepared with these blended fillers and a PG 64-22 binder at a filler content of 27% by volume. Temperature–frequency sweeps were conducted on the resulting composites as well as the constituents, virgin binder, solvent extracted RAP binder. The results from the experiments showed an expected increase in stiffness with increase in dosage levels. These results were also used to model the hypothesised structure of the composite. The study presented discusses the applicability of Herve and Zaoui model to predict the blended mastic composite and to quantify the amount of blending between RAP binder and newly added asphalt binder. It is found that as the RAP dosage level increases the amount of blending that occurs, as a proportion of the total RAP binder decreases.

Effect of Binder Modification on the Performance of an Ultra-Thin Overlay Pavement Preservation Strategy

The objective of this study was to determine whether asphalt rubber (AR) binders will provide similar or better performance compared with a polymer modified asphalt (PMA) binder when used in a high-performance, ultra-thin lift overlay pavement preservation strategy. Current specifications for these types of overlays normally require the use of a PMA binder, because it has the ability to make these overlays more elastic under traffic loading and is less sensitive to temperature fluctuations. However, several state agencies are looking into the feasibility of incorporating sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies, such as AR binders and warm mix asphalt (WMA) technologies, into their asphalt mixtures, including those used for high-performance, ultra-thin lift overlays. This study examined the effect of binder modification type (AR or PMA) and the influence of the use of WMA in high-performance, ultra-thin lift overlays. In general, the mixtures that were tested provided comparable rutting, moisture damage, and low-temperature cracking performance in the high-performance, ultra-thin lift overlay. However, the use of the AR binders indicated reduced performance compared with the PMA binder in mixture fatigue cracking via the beam fatigue test, and mixture reflective cracking in the overlay tester. The results from the beam fatigue test were not always supported by the fatigue life predictions from the simplified viscoelastic continuum damage model. The only detriment to mixture performance for mixtures incorporating WMA was a reduction in fatigue cracking performance when used with AR binders.

Impact of Alternative Project Delivery Systems on the International Roughness Index

The impact of alternative project delivery methods (APDM) was compared with that of the traditional method of design–bid–build (DBB) on the long-term performance of transportation projects. The metric used to quantify long-term performance differences between projects is the international roughness index (IRI), which is an indicator of ride quality. Data were collected on four alternative delivery projects on the National Highway System in Arizona and Colorado, along with data on their comparable DBB projects. Two of the projects provided northbound and southbound data and their respective comparisons, so six pairs of projects were investigated. In the study of the IRI time series, five of the six APDM projects were found to perform better than their traditional counterparts. This exploratory study contributes to the body of knowledge by starting to quantify the impact of APDM on the actual long-term performance of transportation projects.