Evaluation of the Shell Creep Test Procedure to Predict Rutting in Asphalt Pavements. Final Report on Phase 2

摘要

This study was initiated because of the inability of the Marshall method to determine if an asphalt mix would have a tendency to rut. Attempts were made to determine the accuracy of this test by coring and testing old pavements. Rut depth predictions were made based on these tests and then these were compared with the actual measured rut depths. Comparisons were unsatisfactory, but it was not concluded from this that the test method is inaccurate, only that the procedure for the evaluation was unacceptable. The work done to date has shown that the creep test results do relate to characteristics of an asphalt mix which one would expect to control rut susceptibility. It was found to be much more sensitive and capable in that regard than the Marshall test procedure. The test procedure is therefore being adopted by the Department for routine mix design and evaluation work.