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Superpave Future HMA Pavements PDF
Superpave Future HMA Pavements PDF
Superpave,
pavements. the Marshall method of mix design,
Superpave was created to make primarily addresses the determina-
the best use of asphalt paving tech- tion of asphalt binder content, while
Superpave addresses all the elements
The Future of
of mix design. The primary elements
of Superpave volumetric design are:
• Selection of component
Pavements
By Tim Murphy,
President, JFG Technical Center
mixture.
Selecting Materials
nology and to present a system that
would optimize asphalt mixture Selection of component materials
resistance to permanent deformation, consists of determining the accept-
fatigue cracking and low tempera- ability of mineral aggregates, asphalt
ture cracking. binders, and any modifiers for use in
The key parts of this process are a mix design. Traffic data is used for
the Performance Graded (PG) system asphalt binder selection, mineral
for specifying the properties of the aggregate selection, and mixture test-
asphalt binder and the volumetric and ing criteria.
densification characteristics deter- Aggregate gradation selection is
mined by the Superpave Gyratory also a part of the Superpave system.
Compactor (SGC). The Superpave requires different grada-
system was developed and calibrated tion limits for different types of mix-
tures. A helpful tool in the design tant indicator of mix durability. the trial gradations are compared
phase is the 0.45-power gradation The restricted zone also serves to with mix criteria. Volumetric criteria
chart (Figure 1) that uses four con- prevent gradations having a “hump” consists of
trol sizes and a restricted zone. The around the 1.18 and 0.6-millimeter • percent air voids
control sizes used are: sieves, as in Figure 2. A humped gra- • voids in the mineral aggregate
Figure 1: Superpave Gradation for a 19.0 mm Mixture dation is generally associated with a (VMA)
100 high percentage of fine, rounded • voids in the mineral aggregate
90
Maximum Density Line
sand in the mix. In effect, the zone filled with asphalt binder (VFA).
80
70
restricts the use of a high percentage Volumetric properties can be
Control Point
60 of rounded sands. This is advanta- determined based on the densifica-
% Passing
typical aggregate
structure plotted
• 2.36-millimeter sieve on the 0.45 percentage VFA criterion changes as
power gradation
• 0.075-millimeter sieve. chart a function of traffic.
The restricted zone is an area 0
surrounding the maximum density line 0.075 mm 2.36 mm