Balanced Mix Design of Asphalt Mixtures for Intersections

Rutting and shoving are the most common distresses found at intersections. Realizing the need for different asphalt mixtures at or near intersections, a past cooperative research between University of Nevada, Reno (UNR) and Nevada Department of Transportation (NDOT) recommended a new gradation specification to be used at intersections. The unique features of the intersection's asphalt mixture were its resistance to rutting and shoving. In an attempt to alleviate permanent deformation problems at intersections, asphalt mixtures with the modified aggregate gradation were used by the Regional Transportation Commission (RTC) of Washoe County in the construction of several roadway intersections in the Washoe Valley area. The asphalt mixtures used in the construction of the intersections followed the Marshall Mix Design procedure. Current asphalt mixture design methods are structured around meeting a range of volumetric requirements. Although this allows for volumetric parameters to be monitored and controlled during production, it does not give the engineering insight necessary to guarantee good performance. The overall objective of this research is to use Balanced Mix design (BMD) approach to present for RTC an asphalt mixture with good resistance to rutting and shoving and obtain a rutting criterion for asphalt mixtures at intersections. Based on past performance and data generated from this research, three different aggregate gradations were selected for laboratory evaluation. The design analysis adopted in this study was based on the BMD approach, while considering both requirements for the volumetric properties and performance thresholds known as "Volumetric Design with Performance Verification". Three new asphalt mixtures generated in this study were designed to meet the Superpave volumetric criteria, and subsequently verified with performance testing including long-term durability (cracking and stripping resistance) and rutting resistance.

Level thesis:degree_level

Master's Degree

Year dc:date.issued

2021

Author dc:creator

• Fonseca da Costa, Rafaella

Advisor dc:contributor.advisor

• Hajj, Elie

Committee members dc:contributor.committeemember

• Hajj, Elie
• Hand, Adam
• Sebaaly, Peter
• Evans, Mariah

• Asphalt Mixture
• Balanced Mix Design
• Intersection
• Pavement
• Rutting
• Shoving

Handle dc:identifier.uri

http://hdl.handle.net/11714/8088

OAI identifier oai:identifier

oai:scholarwolf.unr.edu:11714/8088