Asphalt Pavements Modified with Coarse Rubber Particles: Design, Construction, and Ice Control Observations

摘要

A paving system was developed in Sweden in the 1960's in which relatively large rubber particles are incorporated into asphalt concrete pavements. The original purpose was to increase skid resistance and durability. The system, distributed under the trade names 'Skega Asphalt' or 'Rubit' in Scandinavia and 'PlusRide' in the U.S.A. was also found to provide a new form of wintertime ice control because of the increased flexibility and the action of protruding rubber particles. The Alaska Department of Transportation and Public Facilities (DOT&PF) installed six experimental pavement sections using the PlusRide system between 1979 and 1983. Major modifications to normal asphalt pavement aggregate gradations, asphalt contents, and mix design procedures are considered essential to achieve durable non-ravelling rubber-asphalt pavements. Laboratory tests of PlusRide paving mixes also indicate a potential for greatly increased pavement fatigue life as a result of the elasticity of this material, particularly when finely ground rubber is added to the mix and the mix cured at a temperature for about one hour prior to compaction. The attainment of low voids in the pavement is the primary design and construction objective, and mix design and construction activities are discussed in the report.