Selecting Most Desirable Hot-Mix Asphalt Mixtures

Aggregate properties and gradations have been shown to have a significant impact on the strength and performance of HMA mixtures. Strength properties, such as the resilient modulus and tensile strength, and performance properties, such as moisture sensitivity, permanent deformation, and low-temperature cracking, play a major role in the field performance of HMA mixtures. However, it is believed that by changing the aggregate gradation and the asphalt binder, a desirable hot-mix asphalt mixture can be achieved for any source of aggregate. The data and analysis of a laboratory research study that evaluated four gradations and four asphalt binders in conjunction with five sources of Nevada aggregates are summarized. The measured material properties include the Superpave binder and aggregate properties, the strength properties, and the permanent deformation and low-temperature cracking of the mixtures. The data analysis indicated that the resilient modulus and tensile strength tests can be used in lieu of the more complicated triaxial repeated-load test to ensure against rutting and that the binder property can be used to ensure against low-temperature cracking.