SuperPave Binder System

Slide 1
Asphalt
Substance used since 3000 BC
 Used as a glue, waterproofing material for boats and preservative (for
mummification).

Around 1500 AD, used in a method similar to hot

mix asphalt
In 1850s it was used in
actual asphalt roadway

Slide 2
Hot Mix Asphalt
Components of Hot Mix Asphalt
 Aggregates (natural and other)
 Asphalt Binder (aka Asphalt Cement, Asphalt …)
 Air (Air Voids)
 Other, which can be
 Fillers, fibers, hydrated lime, liquid anti-stripping additives, …

Slide 3
Asphalt Binder
In the United States, terms typically are as follows:
 Asphalt binder represents the binding material in
HMA
 Asphalt cement represents unmodified asphalt
cement material
Terms are used interchangeably in Ontario
 Not to be confused with emulsion, emulsified
asphalt, liquid asphalt or cutback!

Slide 4
General Asphalt Cement Properties
 Adheres well to most rock
 Waterproof
 Reasonably durable

 Resistant to reaction with most acids, alkalis, and salts

 Temperature sensitive

Slide 5
Source of Asphalt Cement
LIGHT DISTILLATE
PUMPING
FIELD STORAGE STATION MEDIUM DISTILLATE

TOWER
DISTILLATION
REFINERY HEAVY DISTILLATE

RESIDUUM

STORAGE TUBE CONDENSERS

AND ASPHALT
GAS HEATER
COOLERS CEMENTS

PETROLEUM FOR PROCESSING INTO

EMULSIFIED AND
SAND AND WATER CUTBACK ASPHALTS

Slide 6
Asphalt Chemistry
 Crude petroleum varies from source to source
 Different asphalt yields
 Different chemical compositions
 Different behavior and performance
 Chemistry can be described at molecular and microstructure (inter-
molecular) level.
 Behavior is generally characterized at the microstructure level

Slide 7
Asphalt Chemistry
 Asphalt microstructure is described as a dispersed polar fluid
 A continuous three-dimensional association of polar molecules
(generally referred to as "asphaltenes") dispersed in a fluid of non-
polar or relatively low-polarity molecules (generally referred to as
"maltenes")
 Since these intermolecular bonds are weaker than the bonds that
hold the basic organic hydrocarbon constituents of asphalt together,
they will break first and control the behavioral characteristics of
asphalt.

Slide 8
Asphalt Chemistry

 The result is a material that behaves:

(1) elastically through the effects of the polar molecule
networks, and
(2) viscously because the various parts of the polar
molecule network can move relative to one another due to
their dispersion in the fluid non-polar molecules.

 Asphalt is a visco-elastic material!

Slide 9
Lets Develop a Specification for Asphalt Cement

What properties do we want to ensure?

Slide 10
SuperPave Mix
 Mixture of Graded Aggregates held
together with asphalt cement.
 Asphalt Mix is designed against
three primary loadings:
 Rutting (high aggregate
dependence)
 Fatigue Cracking (high asphalt
cement dependence)
 Low Temperature Cracking (high
asphalt cement dependence)

Slide 11
Lets Develop a Specification for Asphalt Cement

What properties do we want to ensure?

 Rutting resistance (high temperature)
 Flexibility (low temperature)
 Fatigue resistant (intermediate temperature)
 Pumpability

Slide 12
Lets Develop a Specification for Asphalt Cement

What properties do we want to ensure?

 Rutting resistance (high temperature)
 Flexibility (low temperature)
 Fatigue resistant (intermediate temperature)
 Pumpability
What changes to the asphalt cement do we need to consider?

Slide 13
Lets Develop a Specification for Asphalt Cement

What properties do we want to ensure?

 Rutting resistance (high temperature)
 Flexibility (low temperature)
 Fatigue resistant (intermediate temperature)
 Pumpability
What changes to the asphalt cement do we need to consider?
 Short term aging in the asphalt plant
 Long term aging in the pavement

Slide 14
Superpave Performance Grading

 The asphalt cement must meet specification

requirements at high, low and intermediate
temperatures
 Laboratory testing involves the conditioning
(aging) of the asphalt cement to simulate the
asphalt plant and long-term in-situ aging

Slide 15
PG Grading System
The grading system is based on Climate

PG 64 - 22

Min pavement
Performance temperature
Grade
Average 7-day max
pavement temperature

Slide 16
Rotational Viscosity
Brookfield
viscometer

spindle

Is the material pumpable?

Slide 17
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)

Slide 18
Slide 19
19
Slide 20
20
Slide 21
21
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
 Measures (shear) strength properties of the asphalt cement at
selected temperature

 High Temperature Testing

 Tests performed on Tank and RTFO aged asphalt cement

 Tests performed at pavement’s high temperature

 Determines rutting resistance

 Intermediate Temperature Testing

 Tests performed on RTFO+PAV aged asphalt cement
 Test performed at pavement’s intermediate temperature (approximate
mid-point between high and low temps)
 Helps to determine flexibility properties for fatigue resistance (not too
stiff)

Slide 22
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)
Torque

Slide 23
Stress-Strain Output

Slide 24
Dynamic Shear Rheometer (DSR)

 DSR rutting requirements are defined by a rutting factor, G*/sinδ

 High values of G* and low values of δ are considered desirable
attributes from the standpoint of rutting resistance
 High values of G* ensure that the asphalt resists applied forces from
vehicles
 low values of δ signify that the pavement will exhibit elastic-like
behavior in order for the asphalt to be able to “rebound” back to it’s
original form after undergoing deformation

Slide 25
Permanent Deformation
 Addressed by high temp stiffness
 G*/sin  on unaged binder > 1.00 kPa
 G*/sin  on RTFO aged binder > 2.20 kPa

Heavy Trucks

Slide 26
Fatigue Cracking
 G*sin δ is known as the fatigue cracking factor
 Low values of G* and δ are considered desirable attributes from the
standpoint of resistance to fatigue cracking
 Low values of G* ensure that the asphalt is flexible
 low values of δ signify that the pavement will exhibit elastic-like
behaviour in order for the asphalt to be able to “rebound” back to it’s
original form after undergoing deformation

Slide 27
Fatigue Cracking

 Addressed by intermediate temperature

stiffness
 G*sin  on RTFO & PAV aged
binder < 5000 kPa

Slide 28
Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

Slide 29
Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)
load, P, and deflection 

Slide 30
Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

 Measures flexibility properties of the asphalt cement at

selected temperatures
 Low Temperature Testing
 Tests performed on RFTO+PAV aged AC

 Tests performed at pavements low temperature +10°C

 Desired creep stiffness is when the asphalt has been loaded

for 2 hours at the minimum temperature
 Using the concept of time-temperature superposition,
researchers confirmed that by raising the temperature 10°C
an equal stiffness can be obtained in 60 seconds

Slide 31
Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)
Beam theory is used to obtain creep stiffness of the asphalt;
the equation for calculating creep stiffness, S(t) is:

3
PL
S (t ) 
4bh δ(t )
3

Where S(t) = creep stiffness (MPa) at time, t

P = applied constant load, N
L = distance between beam supports, mm
b = beam width, mm
h = beam thickness, mm
δ(t) = deflection (mm) at time, t

Slide 32
Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

High stiffness indicates a build up of high

thermal stress
Slope of the curve (m) is a measure of
the rate at which the asphalt binder
relieves stress through plastic flow.

Slide 33
 Bending Beam Rheometer (BBR)

If creep stiffness is between 300 and 600 MPa and m-value is greater than 0.300
then the direct tension test can be used to determine low temperature compliance

Slide 34
Direct Tension Testing (DTT) (optional)

 Optional test
 Examines failure property at
low temperature
 Strain at failure, u

Slide 35
Asphalt Cement Conditioning

Slide 36
Rolling Thin Film Oven (RTFO)

 Simulates the aging

of the asphalt
cement as it is
heated and travels
through the asphalt
plant (mixing with
aggregate) and
placed on the road

Slide 37
Pressure Aging Vessel (PAV)

 Simulates the aging of the asphalt cement over many

years in the road
 Test chamber is set to:

 Pressure of 2070 kPa using compressed air

 Temperature of 90°C, 100°C or 110°C

 Test is run for 20 hours

 Vacuum degassing oven is used after to ensure that

all entrapped air is removed
 Entrapped voids may effect other test results

Slide 38
Pressure Aging Vessel

Slide 39
 CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC PG 46 PG 52 PG 58 PG 64 PG 70 PG 76 PG 82

1-day Min, oC -34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC (Flash Point) FP
< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC (Rotational Viscosity) RV
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 
> 1.00 kPa
46 52 58 64 70 76 82

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN) RTFO Mass Loss < 1.00 %

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 

> 2.20 kPa
46 52 58 64 70 76 82

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL) PAV

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa 90 90 100 100 100 (110) 100 (110) 110 (110)

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G* sin 

< 5000 kPa
10 7 4 25 22 19 16 13 10 7 25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 34 31 28

S < 300 MPa m > 0.300 ( Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR “S” Stiffness & “m”- value

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12 -18 -24

Report Value (Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR Physical Hardening

> 1.00 % (Direct Tension) DT

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12 -18 -24
Slide 40
40
 How the PG Spec Works
CEC

Spec Requirement
Avg 7-day Max, oC PG 46 PG 52 PG 58 PG 64 PG 70 PG 76 PG 82

Remains Constant
o
1-day Min, C -34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC (Flash Point) FP
< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC (Rotational Viscosity) RV
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 
> 1.00 kPa
46 52 5858 64
64 70 76 82

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN) RTFO Mass Loss < 1.00 %

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 

> 2.20 kPa
46 52 58 64 70 76 82

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL) PAV

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa 90 90 100 100 100 (110) 100 (110) 110 (110)

Test Temperature (Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G* sin 

< 5000 kPa
Changes
10 7 4 25 22 19 16 13 10 7 25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 28 31
34

S < 300 MPa m > 0.300 ( Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR “S” Stiffness & “m”- value

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12 -
18 -24

Report Value (Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR Physical Hardening

> 1.00 % (Direct Tension) DT

Slide 41
-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12
-18 -24
41
 Permanent Deformation
CEC

Avg 7-day Max, oC PG 46 PG 52 PG 58 PG 64 PG 70 PG 76 PG 82

1-day Min, oC -34 -40 -46 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -46 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -40 -10 -16 -22 -28 -34 -10 -16 -22
-28 -34

ORIGINAL
> 230 oC (Flash Point) FP
< 3 Pa.s @ 135 oC (Rotational Viscosity) RV
(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 
> 1.00 kPa
46 52 58 64 70 76 82

(ROLLING THIN FILM OVEN) RTFO Mass Loss < 1.00 %

•Unaged (Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G*/sin 

> 2.20 kPa
•RTFO Aged 46 52 58 64 70 76 82

(PRESSURE AGING VESSEL) PAV

20 Hours, 2.07 MPa 90 90 100 100 100 (110) 100 (110) 110 (110)

(Dynamic Shear Rheometer) DSR G* sin 

< 5000 kPa
10 7 4 25 22 19 16 13 10 7 25 22 19 16 13 31 28 25 22 19 16 34 31 28 25 22 19 37 34 31 28 25 40 37 28 31
34

S < 300 MPa m > 0.300 ( Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR “S” Stiffness & “m”- value

-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12 -
18 -24

Report Value (Bending Beam Rheometer) BBR Physical Hardening

> 1.00 % (Direct Tension) DT

Slide 42
-24 -30 -36 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 -36 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 -30 0 -6 -12 -18 -24 0 -6 -12
-18 -24
42
Rule of 92

PG 64 - 34 = 64 + 34 = 98
Binder will be modified !!

PG 64 - 28 = 64 + 28 = 92
Binder may be modified !!
Depends on Source

Slide 43
 Polymer-Modified Asphalt
 The temperature viscosity properties of asphalt cement can be
improved by the addition of polymers

 High temperature properties determined by type and amount of polymer

added

 Low temperature properties largely determined by base asphalt cement

grade

Slide 44
Grade Selection

 Developed from Air Temperatures

 Superpave Weather Database
 6500 stations in U.S. and Canada
 Annual air temperatures
 hottest seven-day temp (average and standard deviation)
 coldest temp (average and standard deviation)
 Adjusted to determine pavement temperatures used in
PG selection

Slide 45
Effect of Loading Rate on Binder Selection

90 kph
 Dilemma
 specified DSR loading rate is 10 rad/sec

 what about longer loading times ?

 Use binder with stiffness at higher temps
 slow - - increase one high temp grade

 stationary - - increase two high temp grades

 no effect on low temp grade

Slide 46
Effect of Traffic Amount on Binder Selection

80 kN ESALs

 10 - 30 x 106 ESAL
 Consider increasing - - one high temp grade
 30 x 106 + ESAL
 Recommend increasing - - one high temp grade

ESAL = Equivalent Single Axle Loads

Slide 47
ESAL Comparison
80 kN 100 kN 44 kN
18,000 lb. 22,000 lb. 10,000 lb.

1 2.2 .09
ESAL ESAL ESAL

Slide 48
 Little Truck

67 kN 27 kN
15,000 lb + 6,000 lb = 0.49 ESALs
0.48 ESAL 0.01 ESAL

BIG TRUCK

151 kN 151 kN 54 kN
34,000 lb + 34,000 lb + 12,000 lb = 2.39 ESALs
1.10 1.10 0.19
Slide 49
Province of Ontario

 Requirements for PGAC in Ontario:

 Selected by consensus of all stakeholders
 MTO, OGRA, MEA, CEO, CCIL, OHMPA, AC Suppliers
 Standard PG grades based on geographic zones
 Bumps to PG grade selected on site by site basis
 AC Suppliers must be an approved source
 AC Suppliers use QC plans to demonstrate quality
 Quality Assurance testing to confirm quality

Slide 50
 Zone 1 - 52–34

Zone 2 - 58–34

Zone 3 - 58–28

Grade must be adjusted

for RAP content in excess
of 20%
Grade must be adjusted
for speed of traffic

Slide 51
Adjustment to High Temperature for Heavy Traffic

Design ESALs Standard Slow Standing

(millions) Speed Traffic Traffic

< 0.3 — — —

0.3 ≤ 3 — +1 +2

3 ≤ 10 — +1 +2

10 ≤ 30 — +1 +2

≥ 30 +1 +1 +2
Slide 52
Adjustment to Virgin Grade for RAP Content

% RAP in Mix Zone 1 Zone 2 Zone 3

0 to 20% 52-34 58-34 58-28

21 to 40% 52-40 52-40 52-34

Slide 53
Questions?

Slide 54