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Pavement permanent deformations due to lack of shear strength in mixture are a major reason of rutting. Any simple test to determine mixtures resistance to permanent deformation isn’t distinguished in the 1st level of SUPERPAVE mix design method and prevalent methods for evaluating mixture rut resistance are expensive and time-consuming. Two aggregate types, gradations, asphalt cements and filler types were used in this research to present a prediction model for rutting based on flow number. A mathematical model to estimate flow number of dynamic creep test was developed using model parameters and gyratory compaction slope. The model is validated using Neural Network and Genetic Algorithm and makes it possible to evaluate mixtures shear strength while optimum asphalt content is being determined in laboratory. So not only there is no need to expensive test instruments of rutting or dynamic creep but a remarkable time saving in mix design procedure is achievable.

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Rutting in asphalt concrete is a very common form of distress in asphalt concrete pavement which unfortunately has been incurable to date. One of the prime reasons of rutting is attributed to the behaviour of asphalt binder at elevated temperature. This study has investigated the performance of polypropylene fibres modified asphalt concrete mix against rutting. Two types of asphalt concrete samples were prepared namely control samples (those without polypropylene addition) and modified samples (with polypropylene modification). Marshall Mix Design was used for determining the Optimum Asphalt Content for both sample types. Slab asphalt concrete specimens of dimensions 300 mm length and breadth and 50 mm thickness were prepared for both control and modified samples. These samples were then tested in the Wheel Tracking Device for rutting susceptibility test. The samples were tested at four temperatures i.e. 40°C, 50°C, 55°C and 60°C and under the application of 10 000 load passes of 700N of axle load.. The polypropylene fibres were found to increase the Marshall Stability by almost 25%. The fibres were also determined to be effective against rutting at elevated temperatures while the modification was found to increase the Indirect Tensile strength by stiffening the mix at high temperature however at low temperature, the modification failed to perform effectively.

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This study focused on the design of heat-resistant asphalt mixture for permafrost regions. Vermiculite powder with low thermal conductivity was used to replace some of the fine aggregates in asphalt mixture to lower the thermal conductivity of asphalt mixture. Asphalt mixtures with different mass ratios (0, 3, 6, 9 and 12%) of vermiculite powder were prepared for performance and thermal property evaluation. Wheel tracking test, low-temperature bending beam test, freeze-thaw splitting test and fatigue test were conducted to evaluate the influences of vermiculite powder on the high-temperature rutting resistance, low-temperature cracking resistance, moisture stability and anti-fatigue performance of asphalt mixture. Mathis TCI analyzer was used to analyze the influences of vermiculite powder on the thermal conductivity of asphalt mixture. Temperature monitor system was used to figure out the influences of vermiculite powder on the inside temperature of asphalt mixture. It is proved that vermiculite powder has no significant influences on the performances of asphalt mixture while it obviously affects the thermal property of asphalt mixture. By addition of 9% to 12% vermiculite powder in asphalt mixture, the performances of asphalt mixture can still well meet the performance requirements for permafrost regions the thermal conductivity can be reduced by 40% to 55% and the inside temperature of asphalt mixture can be lowered by 1 to 2°C. It proves the feasibility by using vermiculite powder to produce heat-resistant asphalt mixture for permafrost regions.

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This study evaluated the effects of Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) additives on the compaction temperature and properties of Crumb Rubber Modified (CRM) asphalt binder and mixture. Two different WMA additives (named as Sas and Evm) were used to prepare warm-mix CRM asphalt binder and mixture. The viscosity of different warm-mix CRM asphalt binders and mastics were measured at different temperatures. The rheological and mechanical properties of different warm-mix CRM asphalt binders were tested. At the mixture level, the volumetric properties of different warm-mix CRM asphalt mixtures were experimented by Gyratory compactor at different temperatures and the performance of different warm-mix CRM asphalt mixtures were evaluated. It was found that, both of the two WMA additives could lower the compaction temperatures of CRM asphalt mixtures by 10°C~20°C. However, they have different influences on rheological properties of CRM binder and performance of CRM mixture. The Sas warm-mix additive can improve the anti-rutting performance of CRM mixture but may degrade its low-temperature performance and moisture stability. The Evm warm-mix additive has no adverse effects on the high-temperature and low-temperature performance of CRM asphalt mixtures and can improve its moisture stability.

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In recent years, environmental protection is increasingly becoming a major issue in transportation including asphalt production. Despite the fact that Hot Mix Asphalt (HMA) is widely used around the world some recent studies suggest using Warm Mix Asphalt (WMA) technology that reduces the production and placement temperature of asphalt mixes. Currently, a common way of producing WMA is through the utilization of additives. This paper firstly characterizes the effect of WMA additives (organic, chemical, water containing additives) on base bitumen properties. Following the determination of optimum bitumen content of the mixtures with different WMA additives through Marshall Test, Hamburg Wheel Tracking Device is used to measure the permanent deformation characteristics of WMA mixtures. Based on the findings of this study, the utilization of WMA additives help in the reduction of viscosity values which are in return decreases mixing and compaction temperature leading to the reduction of energy costs as well as emissions. Besides, it can be concluded that all WMA mixtures performed better than HMA mixtures in the matter of rut depth.

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During the entire life cycle of a pavement, highway agencies are expected to maintain adequate surface frictional properties to facilitate traction between car tires and pavement surface. Traditionally the repair method for a friction-deficient pavement surface is the application of a new surfacing layer. The monitoring and remedying practice is important however, it is a passive approach toward the problem. A more proactive approach would be to test the hot mix asphalt in the laboratory during its initial mix design stage to ensure that aggregate combinations used in the asphalt pavement will provide adequate friction over the life of the pavement. Toward this objective the polishing behavior of laboratory-prepared HMA specimens made of eight different job mix formulas has been studied in terms of friction values. In addition, a robust statistical analysis of the obtained surface friction values has also been carried out in an attempt to verify the success in developing this new asphalt polisher that is used to simulate the tire-pavement interaction. Furthermore, polishing behavior (i.e., polishing trend, rate of friction loss and absolute and percent values of decrease) were all fully investigated to capture surface frictional deterioration of HMA specimens. In conclusion, the new asphalt polisher showed a good degree of repeatability. Additionally, it has been concluded that the decrease in polish number is maximum during the first hour of polishing. With the passage of time the drop in friction decreases and stabilizes.