Relationship Between Laboratory Aging Tests and Field Performance of Asphalt-Concrete Mixtures

Bell, C. A.; ,

Relationship Between Laboratory Aging Tests and Field Performance of Asphalt-Concrete Mixtures

by C. A. Bell, Oregon State Univ, United States,

Document Type: Proceeding Paper

Part of: Serviceability and Durability of Construction Materials

Abstract:

Aging of asphalt mixtures is primarily associated with loss of volatile components and oxidation in asphalt during the construction phase (short-term aging), and progressive oxidation of the in-place material in the field (long-term aging). Both factors cause an increase in viscosity of the asphalt and a consequent stiffening of the mixture. Compared to research on asphalt cement, there has been little research on the aging of asphalt mixtures, and, to date, there is no standard laboratory test. Several researchers have compared laboratory aging tests and field performance. The majority of these have considered aging of the binder rather than that of the mixture. However, there are exceptions. This paper presents a state of the art on research directed to understanding the relationship between laboratory aging tests and field performance. It is shown that there is a very strong general trend of a hyperbolic increase in the property used to evaluate the extent of aging.

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