Simulative Performance Test for Hot Mix Asphalt Using Asphalt Pavement Analyzer

Permanent deformation, or rutting, has been and continues to be a problem in the performance of hot mix asphalt (HMA) pavements. This paper presents a summary of work conducted under National Cooperative Highway Research Program (NCHRP) Project 9-17. This research project was undertaken to evaluate the Asphalt Pavement Analyzer (APA) to determine its suitability as a general method of predicting rut potential. There was a need to identify test conditions within the APA that produced results most related to field rutting performance. Ten HMA mixes of known field rutting performance were tested within a full factorial experiment designed to determine the combination of testing conditions for the APA that best predicts field rutting. The experimental plan consisted of different specimen types (beam and cylinder), air void contents in compacted test specimen (4 and 7 %), hose diameters (25 and 38 mm), and test temperatures (high temperature of standard PG grade based upon climate and 6°C higher temperature). Based upon the test results and analysis, a tentative standard method of test was developed and recommended. A standard practice for establishing maximum specified rut depth for APA by highway agencies has also been recommended.