Evaluation of the Effect of Aggregate Structure on Rutting Performance of Asphalt Pavement

Segregation in asphalt pavements occurs as a result of the non-uniform distribution of coarse and fine aggregates and causes premature distresses, such as cracking, raveling, and stripping. The effect of segregation on rutting, however, has not been clearly identified. Experimental and analytical work performed in this study indicates that rutting performance is affected by segregation of mixtures. However, the aggregate structure of mixtures appears to be a more critical factor that determines the rutting performance, rather than the level of segregation. Based on the field mixtures evaluated, an increase of coarse aggregate volume in an asphalt mixture is an important factor that results in good rutting performance. This effect holds true for mixtures with lower levels of air voids, but for mixtures with higher levels of air voids, the air voids effect becomes dominant, resulting in a reduction in rutting performance. An air void content of 10% appears to be a threshold that determines the rutting performance of Superpave mixtures. Once the air void content exceeds 10%, the rutting performance of Superpave mixtures decreases significantly, despite the coarse aggregate volume.