Details:

Creators:
Aschenbrener, T. ; Leiva, Fabricio ; Tran, Nam H.
Aschenbrener, T. ; Leiva, Fabricio ; Tran, Nam H. Less -
Corporate Creators:
United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Asset Management, Pavements, and Construction
Corporate Contributors:
Auburn University. National Center for Asphalt Technology
Subject/TRT Terms:
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Air Voids Asphalt Pavements Durability Field Compaction In-Place Density In Place Density Service Life
Publication/ Report Number:
FHWA-HIF-19-052
Resource Type:
Tech Report
Geographical Coverage:
United States
Edition:
Final Report
Contracting Officer:
Aschenbrener, Tim
Corporate Publisher:
United States. Federal Highway Administration. Office of Asset Management, Pavements, and Construction
Abstract:
Based on prior studies, a 1 percent increase to in-place density (or 1 percent decrease in air voids) achieved through improved compaction was estimated to improve the fatigue performance of asphalt pavements between 8 and 44 percent and improve rutting resistance by 7 to 66 percent. In addition, a 1 percent increase in in-place density was estimated to extend the service life by 10 percent, conservatively. Recognizing the importance of in-place density in building cost effective asphalt pavements, a Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) Demonstration Project was created for Enhanced Durability of Asphalt Pavements through Increased In-place Pavement Density. The objective of this Demonstration Project was to determine the impact of additional compaction on in-place density and how additional density could be obtained through improved techniques. Many States added additional compaction equipment and evaluated other methods that can help obtain additional in-place density. Phase 2 of this Demonstration Project included two major components: 1) a literature review to identify how much in-place density is enough, and 2) the construction of field demonstration projects in eight States. The literature review identified best practices for sufficient in-place density required for long-life asphalt pavements and provided examples of specifications from the State highway agencies (SHAs) that have successfully achieved the required in-place density level. The field demonstration projects were intended to support SHAs in evaluating their current density requirements for acceptance. Six of the eight States participating in Phase 2 improved in-place density by at least 0.5 percent on their demonstration projects. All the participating States averaged greater than or equal to 94.0 percent in-place density in at least one test section. Many of the States constructed more than two pavement sections for a total of 28 sections. Many variables were evaluated, including mixture type, construction equipment, and procedures between States and within States. A summary of the methods that States used to obtain increased in-place density generally fell into one of five categories: (1) improving the agency’s specification by including or increasing incentives and increasing the minimum percent in-place density requirements; (2) making engineering adjustments to the asphalt mixture design to obtain slightly higher optimum asphalt content (although not part of the original goal of the demonstration project); (3) improving consistency as measured by the standard deviation; (4) following best practices; and (5) using new technologies.
Format:
PDF
Funding:
DTFH61-13-H-00027
Collection(s):
Federal Highway Administration
Main Document Checksum:
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urn:sha256:c9265aa12ac0c06cde10717d86266dec8b3b4c9fcac2caa0eca2379159057bc9
Download URL:
https://rosap.ntl.bts.gov/view/dot/42931/dot_42931_DS1.pdf
File Type:

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