Laboratory improvement and field assessment of Volumetric design method based on multi-point Supported skeleton for asphalt mixtures (V-S method)

摘要

The V-S method was proposed to design asphalt mixtures with satisfactory high-temperature stability. However, the design procedures in the laboratory are different from the field compaction condition since the degradation rate delta(c)(c) of coarse aggregates is determined by 100 Marshall compactions (MCs). In this study, the V-S method was improved in the laboratory and was subsequently assessed in the field. In the laboratory, the MC, roller compaction by wheel tracking, and Superpave gyratory compaction (SGC) were evaluated for the degradation rate delta(c)(c) with water binder instead of asphalt binder. Results show the SGC produces less degraded coarse aggregates, so the degradation rate delta(c)(c) should be determined by 100 SGCs instead of 100 MCs. Subsequently, the improved V-S method was applied for the upper surface course of a freeway, which was surveyed and cored for rutting after approximately 3-year service. In conclusion, with the improved V-S method, asphalt mixtures possess narrower deviations between the design and actual values of volume parameters in the laboratory and satisfactory high-temperature stability in the field. (C) 2019 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.