Innovative Design Approach for High-Performance Asphalt Concretes for Long-Life Base and Binder Courses by Use of Aggregate Packing Concepts and Polymer Modified Binders

摘要

First, the aggregate packing methods initially developed in the field of high-performance cement concretes weresuccessfully transposed to the field of asphalt concretes. Indeed, some basic concepts associated with granularcombinations and aggregate packing characteristics, along with the use of the gyratory compactor (GC) onaggregates only, enabled the development of a new laboratory design procedure of high-modulus asphalt concreteswith great aggregate interlock.Second, the use of polymer modified binders (PMB's) combined with such an optimized aggregate packing lead tothe design of the so-called high-performance asphalt concretes (HPAs) characterized by an excellentcompactability, a very high stiffness modulus and especially a high fatigue resistance in a single formulation,allowing for a reduced pavement thickness and an increased longevity. The paper illustrates that polymer modifiedhigh-modulus asphalt concrete may be potentially considered from now on as a relevant solution for sustainablelong life pavements that do not deteriorate structurally, needing only timely surface maintenance to maintain theiroverall condition.Laboratory assessment of such HPAs for long-life base and binder courses consisted in the evaluation ofcompactability using the gyratory compactor (GC), moisture resistance using the so-called Duriez test, ruttingresistance thanks to the wheel tracking tester at 60°C, complex stiffness modulus at 15°C and fatigue resistance at10°C.