Testing and Analysis of LWT and SCB Properties of Asphaltic Concrete Mixtures

Samuel Cooper III

Louisiana Transportation Conference February 18 - 20, 2013 Baton Rouge, Louisiana

Acknowledgements

LTRC Asphalt Research Group

Jeremy Icenogle, Patrick Frazier, Willie Gueho, Md. Kabir, Bill King

Introduction

LADOTDs current QA/QC practice relies upon:

Gradation
AC Content VFA, VMA, % Air Voids

Moisture Susceptibility Test (Modified Lottman), and

Roadway Parameters: Density, Smoothness

But these volumetric properties are not adequate to reflect the pavement performance in the field. Must develop methods to evaluate pavement performance indicators

Introduction

New laboratory tests are required to evaluate the as-built pavement qualities. The test will screen materials prone to rutting, cracking and alternative moisture damage indicators.

Create a Balanced Mixture Design

Introduction

What is a balanced mixture design?

Process to ensure adequate resistance to rutting and cracking distress

Rutting: Loaded Wheel Tracking (LWT) Test Cracking: Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) Test
Volumetric Parameters

Two laboratory tests are proposed:

1.6 1.4 1.2 1 0.8 0.6 0.4 0.2 0 0

Cracking Resistance

High Temperature Performance

Cracking Performance

10 15 Rutting Resistance

20

Research Objective

To implement the Loaded Wheel Tracking (LWT) test as a measure of mixture rutting resistance. To evaluate a simplified Semi-Circular Bend (SCB) tests as an end result parameter for intermediate temperature cracking resistance.
Rutting

Cracking

Laboratory Experiment: LWT Test

Performance Indicator
Resistance to Rutting and Moisture Sensitivity

Test Protocol
AASHTO T324

Temperature
50C

Loading
Wheel Diameter: 203.5 mm (8 inch) Wheel Width: 47mm (1.85 inch) Fixed Load: 703 N (158 lbs) Rolling Speed: 1.1 km/hr Passing Rate: 52 passes/min

Laboratory Experiment: LWT Test

Performance Indicators
Resistance to Rutting and Moisture Sensitivity

Rutting Indicator: Plot Rut Depth vs Number of Passes Report Rut Depth at

1000, 5000, 7500, 10000, 15000, and 20000 Passes

Moisture Sensitivity Indicator Determine Stripping Inflection Point

The point where slope of the line begins to steepen

Laboratory Experiment: SCB Test

Performance Indicator
Resistance to Crack Propagation

Test Protocol
Mohammad et al. [2004]

Temperature
25C

Loading
0.5 mm/min vertical deformation
P

The Critical Value of Fracture Resistance,

Jc 1 dU ( ) b da
a notch P 2 2s 2rd P 2 b

b = sample thickness, a = notch depth, U = strain energy to failure

SCB Sample Preparation

150mm x 57mm

Laboratory Experiment: Conventional SCB Test

Servo Hydraulic Test System Environmental Chamber Expensive Complicated Deformation

Load

Laboratory Experiment: Modified SCB Test

Load
Force (Kn)
0.7 0.6 0.5 0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3
Original Data Max of Data set Fitted Curve Peak of Curve

Deformation

Length(mm)

J c (

1 dU ) b da

Laboratory Experiment: Modified SCB Test

Laboratory Experiment: Modified SCB Test

Laboratory Experiment: Modified SCB Test

0.7 0.6 0.5
Original Data Max of Data set Fitted Curve Peak of Curve

Force (Kn)

0.4 0.3 0.2 0.1 0 0 0.5 1 1.5 2 2.5 3

Length(mm)

J c (

1 dU ) b da

*Temperature is controlled using an external environmental chamber

Analysis: Loaded Wheel Tester

90%!

Volumetric Parameters

Level 1 Level 2

High Temperature Performance

Cracking Performance

Preliminary Analysis: Semi-Circular Bend

42%

58%

72%

0%

Volumetric Parameters

High Temperature Performance

Cracking Performance

Preliminary Analysis: Balanced Design

Level 2

Level 1
50%

Volumetric Parameters

High Temperature Performance

Cracking Performance

Preliminary Analysis: Balanced Design

Level 1
50%

Volumetric Parameters

High Temperature Performance

Cracking Performance

How do we get there?

A system to conduct mechanical property test to determine the anticipated performance of asphalt mixtures is needed LTRC has been using LWT and SCB test as forensics investigative tools and performance indicators. Incorporate tests into state specification compliance evaluation.

Develop a simplified SCB test procedure.

Adapt SCB test to a commonly used load frames

Must control TEMPERATURE!

How do we get there?

1.5 inch (37.5 Nominal Max., Size Agg. SMA mm) Incidental Wearing Base Base Type of Mix Wearing Course Binder Course Binder Course ATB Wearing Paving Course Course Course Level A 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 Asphalt Binder Table 502-2, (3% minimum for Asphalt Treated base (ATB), 6% min for SMA) Friction Rating Table 502-3 RAP, Max. % of Mix 20 15 15 15 20 20 20 20 30 30 30 0 Compacted Mix Volumetrics 4 VMA, Min. % 13.0 13.0 13.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 n/a 10.5 16.0 Air Voids, % (2.5-4.5);; (no limit for ATB) VFA, % (69-80); no limit for ATB Ninitial 90% max. (Gyrations) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 n/a 7 7 Ndesign 96.51 % (Gyrations) 65 65 75 75 65 75 65 75 65 30 65 65 Nmax 98 % max. (Gyrations) 100 100 115 115 100 115 100 115 100 n/a 100 100 LWT, max. rut-design, mm 10 @ 10 @ 6@ 6@ 10 @ 6 @ 10 @ 6 @ 12 @ 10 12 @ 6@ @ # passes, 10,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 @10,000 20,000 20,000 @ 50 C Dust/Effective Asphalt 0.6 1.6 Ratio, % 2.01.52.0 1.52.0 2.03.0 2.54.0 2.5+ 3.0+ 4.0+ 1.5-2.0 Lift Thickness, inch (mm) (50-) (38-50) (38-50) (50-75) (65-100) (65+) (75+) (100+) (38-50) 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) 0.75 inch (19 mm) 1.0 inch (25 mm)

How do we get there?

1.5 inch (37.5 Nominal Max., Size Agg. SMA mm) Incidental Wearing Base Base Type of Mix Wearing Course Binder Course Binder Course ATB Wearing Paving Course Course Course Level A 1 2 2 1 2 1 2 1 1 1 2 Asphalt Binder Table 502-2, (3% minimum for Asphalt Treated base (ATB), 6% min for SMA) Friction Rating Table 502-3 RAP, Max. % of Mix 20 15 15 15 20 20 20 20 30 30 30 0 Compacted Mix Volumetrics 4 VMA, Min. % 13.0 13.0 13.0 12.0 12.0 12.0 11.0 11.0 11.0 n/a 10.5 16.0 Air Voids, % (2.5-4.5);; (no limit for ATB) VFA, % (69-80); no limit for ATB Ninitial 90% max. (Gyrations) 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 7 n/a 7 7 Ndesign 96.51 % (Gyrations) 65 65 75 75 65 75 65 75 65 30 65 65 Nmax 98 % max. (Gyrations) 100 100 115 115 100 115 100 115 100 n/a 100 100 LWT, max. rut-design, mm 10 @ 10 @ 6 @ 6@ 10 @ 6 @ 10 @ 6 @ 12 @ 10 12 @ 6@ @ # passes, 10,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 20,000 @10,000 20,000 20,000 @ 50 C Dust/Effective Asphalt 0.6 1.6 Ratio, % 2.01.52.0 1.52.0 2.03.0 2.54.0 2.5+ 3.0+ 4.0+ 1.5-2.0 Lift Thickness, inch (mm) (50-) (38-50) (38-50) (50-75) (65-100) (65+) (75+) (100+) (38-50) 0.5 inch (12.5 mm) 0.75 inch (19 mm) 1.0 inch (25 mm)

Whats Next?

Continued evaluation of the SCB test

Validate Jc criteria for mixture design

Communicate with other on-going research projects: 10-4B

Whats Next?

Thank You!