Bituminous mixes

French mix design

Method and overview
for empirical or fundamental specifications
Yves BROSSEAUD LCPC Nantes France -

Outlines
French mix design:
An example of performance based mix design
methodology

Main performance characteristics of asphalt mixes

Documents of reference :
European French Asphalt mixes
Asphalt mix design guide
National guide for the application of European standards

Conclusion
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An example of performance based

methodology
French Bituminous
Mix Design Methodology

Principle

One material type for each need

Optimized with performance based criteria
In relation with its use on the road
Method used in France since more than 20 years old

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Mix design
and Composition
Standard
Performances
Gradation & Binder content

Lab study
designers choice

100
90

ECF
BBSG
BBM
BBTM
BBUM
BBDr

80
70

Paasing [%]

Formulation tool:
Gyratory
Compactor
(PCG)

60
50
40
30
20
10

Sieve [mm]
0
0.1

10

Typical grading curves

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Mix design Formulation method

Components selection

(aggregates, filler, binder, additives)

Check of their properties

performance class
Minimum binder content defined by standard
K Richness modulus (linked to the binder film thickness)
Level of mix design study
defined in contract
Check of the performance versus the selected
class of the product French (European) standards
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Performances tested
One test per property
Gyratory compactor (PCG)
workability and compactability assessment

Immersion compression (Duriez) test

Water sensitivity

Wheel tracking test

Rutting resistance

Direct tensile or 2 point bending test

Stiffness

2 points bending test

Fatigue resistance

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Design steps
Selection and identification of components
Choice: gradation & binder content
Compactability test (gyratory)

Level 1
Duriez test

Level 2

Rutting test

Level 3

Modulus test

Level 4

Compaction
Water
sensitivity
Rutting

Fatigue test
Formulation selected

Stiffness
Fatigue
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Level 1 and 2 tests

Components selection
(aggregates, filler, binder, additives)
Check of their properties
performance class

Manufacturing and control of samples

Gyratory compaction test
Water sensitivity
Wheel tracking rutting test
Marshall

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Marshall test

Preparation of samples in laboratory

Good control quality of mix :

composition, voids, homogeneity, ...
Accurate and Relevant Tests
Relevant comparison with in situ materials

Plate compactor: 400*600*150 or 180*500*25 100

EN 12697-33
ex NFP 98-250-2

Mixer BBMAX 80
EN 12697-35 ex NFP 98-250-1

Vertical gamma Bench

EN 12697-7

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ex NFP 98-250-5

Compactability characterisation
Gyratory compactor
Standard (NF 12697-31
ex NFP 98-252)
Characterisation of void %
reduction under axial force +
gyratory shear
Mix design by adjustment of void
content according to product
standards
Estimation of site void content
Vsite = V(Ne)

Ne nbr of cycle as thickness [mm]

r = 0,95

R = 1,38 (% voids 60 g)

MLPC Gyratory shear compactor

12/67

Void content (%)

Typical result

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Interpretation
of gyratory compaction test
Conformity study of a
mix in relation to
product standard
specification for each
material type ( NFP 98130 to 141)

Void content
Pass

Failed

Failed

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Void content versus layer thickness

In site compaction process

% voids
12 cm
8
6
4

5
10

20
2

16

26

Number of passes
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Gyratory compactor test: specifications

14

10
8
6
Correct

4
Out of spec

EME 2

EME 1

GB 3

GB 2

BBME

BBAGG

(binder)

BBAC

0
BBAC

Voids %

12

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Water sensitivity : Duriez test

Standard EN 12697-12 exNFP 98-251-1
Two compaction processes
D< 14 mm H 190 mm, 60 kN, 5 min
D>14 mm H 270 mm, 180 kN, 5 min
Stored at 18 C, 7 days
in air (50 % moisture)
in water

Vertical compression (1 mm/s )

Ratio r/R (and % voids)
Repeatability and reproducibility
r = 0,08
R =0,13 (ratio of 0,73)

Decision to use of an adhesion agent

European standard used also indirect tensile test (EN 12697-12)

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Level 2 : rutting resistance test

LPC Wheel tracking test

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LPC Wheel tracking test

Wheel

Standard (EN 12697-22

ex
NFP 98-253-1
Influence of heavy, slow, channelled
traffic under high temperature
relevant correlation with site,
repeatability (r = 1,2 et R =1,3)
Test conditions:
Smooth tire, pressure 0.6 MPa
Load 5 kN, speed 1 cycle/s
Controlled temperature 60C

Rut depth measurement

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Typical results with the LCPC wheel

tracking test
Rutting
Average
Regression

Number of cycles

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Influence of binder content

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Influence of binder type

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Rutting resistance - specifications

Test @ 60 C
Base

Surface
20

Rut depth [%]

Out of spec

16
12
8
On spec

4
0
BBA
1

Number
of cycles

BBA
2
10 000

BBA
3

BBME
1

BBME
2
30 000

BBME
3

GB 2
to 4

EME
1-2

10 000

30 000

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Level 3 and 4
Mechanical tests:
stiffness measurement (direct tensile test or 2 points
bending on trapezoidal samples)
Fatigue resistance test

Determination of bituminous mixes mechanical

characteristics for pavement structural design
Traffic direction
Wearing course
Base
Sub-base

,
(tension) ,

Bituminous
Layers
Thickness t
Stiffness E

Non treated
Natural soil
Need for stiffness characteristics and fatigue
resistance : admissible strain for 1 million cycles
26/67

Direct tensile test

Module (Mpa)

100000

10000
0C
10 C
1000

15C
courbe
matresse

100
0,0001

0,01

100

10000

Temps (s)

EN 12697-26 ex NFP 98 260-1

Direct tension on cylindrical specimen
Master curve (rheological behavior)
Modulus for pavement design (specification) 15C, 0,02s

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Complex modulus test

100000

10000

1000

100
0,1

1,0

10,0

-10C
0C60C
10C
15C
20C
30C
40C
100,0

r = 335 MPa , R = 2750 MPa

(E = 15300 MPa)

Frquence (Hz)

EN 12697-26 ex NFP 98 260-2

2 points bending on trapezoidal samples, 4 repetitions

E pavement design 15C, 10 Hz

Master curve (rheological behavior)

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Stiffness

Modulus [MPa]

Modulus @ 15C: complex (10 Hz) or tensile (0,02 s)

20000
18000
16000
14000 On spec
12000
10000
8000
6000
4000
Out of spec
2000
0
BBA
1-2

BBA
3

BBME
1

BBME
2-3

GB 23

GB 4

EME
1-2

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Fatigue test
Droite de fatigue
N o m b re d e c y c le s

10000000
1000000

Standard EN 12697-24 ex NF P 98-261-1

2 points Bending beam on trapezoidal samples

100000
10000
1000
10

B=56, b=25, t=2, h=250 mm

100

1000

Dformation

3 strain levels with 6 specimens each, 10C and 25 Hz

Strain calculated for 1 million of cycles 6
(better behavior for high 6)

r = 4,2 strain R= 8,3 strain

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Fatigue test

Admissible strain @ 10 C and 25 Hz [strain]

150

6 [strain]

140
130
On spec

120
110
100
90

Out of spec

80
70
BBA 1

BBA 2

BBA 3

BBME
1

BBME
2-3

GB 2

GB 3

GB 4

EME
1

EME
2

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Summary of French mix design

methodology
methodology:: different levels

32/67

Reference document for asphalt mixes

Asphalt mixes standards
General asphalt mixes NF EN 13108-1
Very thin asphalt mixes NF EN 13108-2
Porous asphalt NF EN 13108-7
Type testing NF EN 13108-20
Factory Production control NF EN 13108-21

French guide for the application of European

standards
French asphalt mix design guide
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General asphalt mixes NF EN 13108-1

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Type of performance for asphalt mixes

The asphalt mix standards NF EN 13 108-1 to NF EN 13 108-7
specifie 2 different performance approaches :
Empirical
Fundamental
added with general characterization
without combination with these 2 approaches

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General Charactristics

General characteristics are :

Grading curve,
Void content,
Sensibility again water effect
Resistance to rutting

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Empirical charactristics

Empirical characteristics are:

To specify the minimum bitumen content,
To precise the nature of bitumen (performance grade),
To fix an envelop for the grading at the specified seives.

37/67

Fondamental charactristics

Fondamental characteristics are essentially

measurements on mechanical performances:

stiffness modulus
fatigue resistance.

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Empirical approaches : ex EB10-BBSG

Wearing course

EB10-BBSG
classe 1

Roulement

EB10-BBSG
classe 2

Roulement

EB10-BBSG
classe 3

Roulement

Liaison

Liaison

Liaison

Teneur en liant
minimale

Sensibilit leau
ITSR (I/C)
mthode B par compression

D (max) en mm

Liant
Grade

NF EN de rfrence

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P10

10

25

28

38

50

65

90

100

TLmin5,2

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P7,5

10

25

28

38

50

65

90

100

TLmin5,2

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P5

10

25

28

38

50

65

90

100

TLmin5.2

0,250

2,00

6,3

Nb cycles
{% vides plaque}

0 ,063

NF EN
13108-1

Classe

10 girations

Liaison

Essai dornirage
60C

tendue (%)
/Tamis caractristiques

V10G min11

Roulement

Pourcentage de vide
PCG

Caractristiques empiriques

Nb girations

EB10-BBSG
classe 0

Destination

Dsignation

Caractristiques gnrales

% %

10

25

28

38

50

65

90

100

TLmin5,2

Classe

39/67

Fondamental approaches : ex EB10-BBSG

Wearing course

Roulement

EB10-BBSG
classe 3

Liaison
Roulement
Liaison

Sensibilit leau
ITSR (I/C)
mthode B par compression

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P10

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
Smin5500

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P 7, 5

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
Smin7000

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)

NF EN
13108-1

10

ITSR70

Vmin 5
Vmax 10

60

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P5

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
Smin7000

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)

D (max) en mm

Nb girations

EB10-BBSG
classe 2

Liaison

Classe

Roulement

Liant
Grade

EB10-BBSG
classe 1

Caractristiques fondamentales

Norme NF EN de rfrence

Destination

Dsignation

Caractristiques gnrales
Pourcentage
de vide PCG

Essai dornirage
60C

Essai de module
15C
0,02s ou 10 Hz

Essai de fatigue
10C
25 Hz flex.2

Nb cycles
(% vides plaque)

(% vides plaque)

(% vides plaque)

Classe

Classe

Classe

6-100
6-100
6-100

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Fondamental approaches : ex EB14-GB

Base or fundation layer

14

EB14-GB
classe 4

Assise

NF EN
13108-1

14

N b girations

Assise

NF EN
13108-1

Pourcentage
de vide PCG

C lasse

EB14-GB
classe 3

14

Sensibilit leau
ITSR (I/C )
m thode B par com pression

D (m ax) en m m

Liant
G rade

NF EN
13108-1

EB14-GB
classe 2

D estination

Assise

D signation

N orm e N F EN de rfrence

Caractristiques gnrales

Caractristiques fondamentales

Essai dornirage
60C

Essai de module
15C
0,02s ou 10 Hz

Essai de fatigue
10C
25 Hz flex.2

Nb cycles
(% vides plaque)

(% vides plaque)

(% vides plaque)

Classe

Classe

Classe

Vmin 11

10 000 cycles
(Vi= 7% Vs = 10%) (Vi= 7% Vs = 10%)
100 (Vi= 8% Vs = 11%)
Smin9000
6-80
P10

ITSR70

Vmin 10

10 000 cycles
(Vi= 7% Vs = 7%) (Vi= 7% Vs = 10%)
100 (Vi= 7% Vs = 10%)
Smin9000
6-90
P10

ITSR70

Vmin 9

100

ITSR70

30 000 cycles
(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)
P10

(Vi=5% Vs = 8%)
Smin11000

(Vi= 5% Vs = 8%)

6-100

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Base Hot Mix Asphalt : main performances

Stiffness modulus
(15C-10Hz) in MPa

Fatigue admissible strain

(@ 1 million de cycles)

11

0.65

10*

9,000

80.10-6

GB
Class 3

10

0.7

10*

9,000

90.10-6

GB
Class 4

0.7

10**

11,000

100.10-6

EME
Class 1

10

0.7

7.5**

14,000

100.10-6

EME
class 2

0.75

7.5**

14,000

-6
130.1042/67

Giratory. (Voids %)
C80 (D 10mm)
C100 (D 14mm)
C120 (D 20 mm)

G.B
Class 2

Type of mix

Rut depth
(60C-100 mm)
* 10.000 cycles (%)
** 30.000 cycles (%)

fundamental

Water sensitivity
r/R ratio

empirical

E
C

k
r
a
m

Example of CE marking information

for general requirements + empirical
or fundamental requirements

m
a
d
fu n

l
a
t
en

al
c
i
ir
p
m

43/67

Conformity control for Asphalt mixes

E
C

k
r
a
m
PRODUCER

NOTIFIED
BODY

44/67

Essential characteristics ((according

according with European directive)
for empirical specifications

E
C

k
r
a
m

45/67

Essential characteristics ((according

according with European directive)
for fundamental specifications

E
C

k
r
a
m

46/67

Description and classification for asphalt mixes

47/67

Uses of asphalt mixes

uses

48/67

Type Testing : or formulation proof

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Validated period for mix design

Priode of validity 5 years without changing
Check new formula if some:
Changes in aggregates:
coarse aggregates:
properties shape, semi-crushed aggregate percentage,
wear resistance
in petrographic type
Density (> 0,05 Mg/m3)
fine aggregate: source , grading category, angularity
mineralogical type of filler

Changes in bitumen : bitumen grade

50/67

Type frequency test control for components

(QC)

E
C

k
r
a
m

51/67

Type frequency test control for asphalt

concrete NF EN 13108
-1 (QC)
13108-1

E
C

k
r
a
m

52/67

Type frequency test control for asphalt mixes

used on airfields NF EN 13108
-1 (QC)
13108-1

E
C

k
r
a
m

53/67

Conclusions
French mix design methodology is based on the
following performances :

Workability assessment (Giratory, central tool)

Water sensitivity
Resistance to permanent deformation
Stiffness
Fatigue
depending on the mix design study level asked in contractual
documents

Performances based mix design methodology allows

Optimization of mix design to the expected use of the

material
Evolution of techniques
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Innovation

I whish you a very fruitful meeting on performance

requirements for asphalt mixes

Gracias por su atencin

Taxi in the world : world exhibition in Paris last week mondial de lautomobile)