EVALUATION OF SUPERPAVE GYRATORY COMPACTOR IN THE FIELD MANAGEMENT OF ASPHALT MIXES: FOUR SIMULATION STUDIES

The SHRP-SUPERPAVE Design System utilizes the SUPERPAVE Gyratory Compactor (SGC) for asphalt-mixture specimen compaction. As part of the Demonstration Project Program, the Federal Highway Administration Office of Technology Applications (FHWA-OTA) has incorporated the SGC into FHWA-OTA mobile asphalt laboratories. Simulation studies are conducted for states to demonstrate aspects of the SUPERPAVE Design System, along with the application of certain innovative concepts in field management of asphalt mixes. The use of the SGC for field management is investigated. Four production mixes are evaluated. Based on production results, tolerance limits are established for SGC acceptance parameters. FHWA-OTA-recommended SGC volumetric acceptance parameters are asphalt binder content, voids in total mix, and voids in mineral aggregate. During the studies, companion samples were taken using the standard Marshall compactor. Results indicate that the Marshall compactor cannot be used as a surrogate for the SGC. The two compaction methods do not produce equivalent specimens.